NGOs commit to a shared vision of good practice in responding to HIV/AIDS
30 November 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Over 160 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from around the world, including the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, have signed on to a new code of good practice for the HIV/AIDS response. Renewing Our Voice: Code of Good Practice for NGOs Responding to HIV/AIDS, is being launched around the world on 1 December, World AIDS Day.
“The global momentum to address the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS is now greater than ever. This has brought fresh hope, but also new challenges. Now, more than ever, it is vital that the plethora of non-governmental organisations commit to a shared vision of good practice in our programmes and advocacy efforts so we can harness that momentum,” Alvaro Bermejo, executive director of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance said.
“While there is an urgent need to scale up HIV/AIDS programmes, it is also vital that we advocate for law and policy reform as an essential part of an effective response. The new code of good practice will help NGOs do this with one louder voice,” said Bermejo.
“Laws, policies, social norms and community attitudes and perceptions shape the environment in which we respond to HIV/AIDS. Advancing the human rights of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA), women and affected communities, must remain central to an effective response,” he added.
“Over the last 20 years, research and practice have generated an impressive body of knowledge about how to respond effectively. But we are at a critical cross road. We must ensure that resources are allocated to programmes that are grounded in the evidence of what works” he said.
“By outlining the principles and evidence base that underscore successful HIV/AIDS work by NGOs, the Code supports NGOs to improve the quality and cohesiveness of our work and strengthen our accountability to partners and the communities. Implementing the Code in our work is an opportunity to do just that,” Bermejo said.
A diverse range of NGOs have signed on to the Code, among them organisations of people living with HIV/AIDS; faith based organisations; humanitarian and development NGOs that are now are adapting their programmes to respond more effectively to respond to the challenges of HIV/AIDS; and sexual and reproductive health NGOs integrating HIV/AIDS within their work.
Bermejo said that “The diverse range of signatory NGOs bodes well for the idea that the Code can renew our collective advocacy voice in the HIV/AIDS response. It is hoped that governments and donors will also welcome the contribution of the NGO voice reflected in this Code, as it pushes us all closer to the goal of more effective responses to HIV/AIDS.”
Ends
Editor’s notes:
1. Further information about the project and the full version of Renewing Our Voice: Code of Good Practice for NGOs Responding to HIV/AIDS are available at www.ifrc.org/what/health/hivaids/code/
2. The NGO HIV/AIDS Code of Practice Project is a joint initiative of ActionAid International • CARE USA • Global Health Council • GNP+ • Grupo Pela Vidda • Hong Kong AIDS Foundation • ICASO • International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies • International Harm Reduction Association • International HIV/AIDS Alliance • World Council of Churches
3. For more information about the work of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and to arrange interviews, please contact Simon Moore. T: 01273 718744. M: 07843 208017. E: smoore@aidsalliance.org
4. The International HIV/AIDS Alliance has been supporting community action on AIDS in developing countries since 1993. It has worked with community organisations from over 40 developing countries, provided financial support to over 2,500 projects (implemented by over 1,800 community and faith-based groups), and channelled over USD 100 million to organisations across the world. Expenditure in 2004 alone is anticipated to be a further USD 35 million.
