ince 1920, The Union has been at the centre of the fight against tuberculosis (TB) and lung disease. Along the way The Union became many different things to many different people: a membership organisation, a scientific body, an implementation partner, and an advocacy and communications voice.
In September 2024, Prof Guy Marks, President, explained: "As we embark on our second century, it is important that we take the opportunity to remind ourselves of who we are and our purpose.
"In collaboration with members and colleagues across The Union, we have reinvigorated our vision, mission and values. To achieve our vision and mission, we embody our core values in everything we do."
In order to celebrate those colleagues who shine in their demonstration of our values, The Union launched the Annual Values Awards. The winners of this award are decided by Dr Cassandra Kelly-Cirino, Executive Director, and Prof Guy Marks.
Last year, the Annual Values Award was presented to Alpha Panda, Liaison Manager, Office of the Executive Director & Board Coordinator, Thazin, HR Manager, The Union Myanmar Office, and Madhava Sai Sivapuram, Community Connect Manager.
Madhava Sai Sivapuram, Community Connect Manager
What is your role at The Union?
I’m the Programme Manager for Community Connect at The Union World Conference on Lung Health. Community Connect is the open-access space at The Union World Conference on Lung Health where affected communities and civil society come together to share lived experience, shape solutions, and ensure community voices echo to the world.
How did you feel when you found out that you had won the Values Award?
I felt deeply humbled and grateful. Receiving the award in Copenhagen alongside so many colleagues and leaders who work under immense pressure felt like a reminder that the work matters most when it stays grounded in people’s real lives. It also felt like a renewed responsibility to keep showing up with consistency and care, especially when the work is complex and the stakes are high.
Why is it important to you to embody the Union Values in your work?
Community Connect only works if people feel safe, respected, and genuinely listened to. The Union’s values give me a clear compass every day:
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Respect ensures lived experience especially from TB is treated as expertise.
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Accountability keeps me responsible to communities, colleagues, and partners especially with limited resources.
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Transparency build trust across diverse stakeholders.
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Quality pushes us to deliver programme that is meaningful, accessible, well-executed and leave no one behind.
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Independence helps protect credibility and keep people’s interests at the centre of the work that we do.
What does it mean to you to work at The Union?
Working at The Union means being part of an organisation that doesn’t just talk about equity and impact, it works to deliver them. For me, it’s about turning evidence into action and keeping the focus on people who are most affected by TB and lung disease, especially communities that are too often overlooked. It also means working alongside colleagues and partners around the world who share a clear purpose: to reduce suffering and improve access to prevention and care, with dignity and fairness at the centre.