Stephen Lewis

Stephen Lewis is a distinguished Canadian politician, diplomat, author, and public speaker, recognized for his extensive work in international affairs and social justice, particularly regarding HIV/AIDS in Africa. After serving as director of organization for the federal New Democratic Party from 1961 to 1962, Stephen Lewis went on to a distinguished career in Canadian politics. He was elected as a member of the Ontario legislature for Scarborough West in 1963, a position he held for fifteen years until 1978. In 1970, he became the influential leader of the Ontario NDP, leading the party to significant electoral success in 1975, where they achieved Official Opposition status in Ontario.

Further solidifying his expertise in global health, Lewis has held influential roles with the World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on the Social Determinants of Health and as a senior advisor to Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. In 2007, Lewis further amplified his advocacy by co-founding AIDS-Free World, an international organization dedicated to advocating for more effective and urgent global responses to HIV and AIDS. Through these sustained efforts, Stephen Lewis continues to be a leading voice in international affairs, social justice, and global health, impacting policy and public awareness through his distinguished career and ongoing humanitarian initiatives.