HIV/AIDS strategies

Excellence, Innovation & Influence, pathways to results was the theme of the International Conference on Global Health organized by the Global Health Council in Washington DC from May 30-June 2, 2006. More than 1600 participants from 75 countries participated and shared their programmes, ideas and thoughts. I was invited to make a presentation on my experience of working with Bangladeshi truck drivers and the ITF to provide non-stigmatised and non-discriminatory health care services including management of sexually transmitted infections among the transport workers in Bangladesh. Stigma and the resulting actual or feared discrimination associated with HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) have proved to be the most difficult obstacles to effective STI/HIV prevention because: Stigma prevents many people from negotiating safer sex, taking a test for HIV and other STIs, and disclosing their status to their partners.

Some of the other topics discussed at the conference included: Challenging Norms, Changing Futures: Interactive Tools to Help Women Improve Their Health. Presenters discussed community-based methods of "participatory learning and action" that address social inequalities in reproductive health (Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe); the methods and results from innovative gender and sexuality participatory learning and action (India, Vietnam); programmes that teaches girls autonomy, self-esteem & leadership ability as well as sexual & reproductive rights (Nigeria). Other topics were: Reducing Stigma at the Point of Service: Collaboration, Integration and Counselling, Support for the Vulnerable: HIV/AIDS Treatment and Prevention Applications for At-Risk Populations, and Committed Leadership and Good Data: Key Ingredients for Successful HIV/AIDS Strategies. For a detailed article please contact the education department. Dr Asif Altaf, ITF HIV/AIDS Coordinator.

Global Unions HIV/AIDS programme

The Global Unions’ programme, Advisory Committee met from 4-6 April 2006 in Geneva, Switzerland. The aim of the Advisory Committee meeting was to develop a detailed work plan for the GUF HIV/AIDS Programme for the next 6 months and an outline plan for 2007.

The meeting set clear goals for GUFs and developed an action programme. The idea is to raise the profile of HIV/AIDS and the work done by trade unions in this arena by intervening at key global events such as the lobby of ministers at the G8 meeting in July 2006, using the outcomes of UNGASS’s (UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS) assessment of the achievements of the 2001 Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS "Global Crisis — Global Action" to raise awareness by organising activities in affiliates between 30 May – 2 June.

The GUFs programme will also encourage national centres to take part in sector specific work on World AIDS Day, 1 December 2006. Our ITF global HIV/AIDS project aims to build a transport sector specific campaign for the next 3 years. Asif Atlaf, the new ITF HIV/AIDS and transport workers’ project coordinator will be responsible for linking with and building the joint activities of the GUFs.

For more information on UNGASS Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS "Global Crisis — Global Action" visit www.un.org/ga/aids/coverage/