The Indian Business Coalition on AIDS

[Guest guest]

[iBCoA] The Indian Business Coalition on AIDS

A Network for Indian Companies to exchange information on HIV/AIDS

Background:

The devastating effect of HIV/AIDS at the work place is too well known to be

repeated here. What is lacking is demonstrable piece of work that has

evolved out of tested and experimented initiatives on the subject of

HIV/AIDS. Tata Tea has been working on this aspect intensively for the last

3 years. The MacArthur Foundation and the Asian Business Coalition on AIDS

(ABConAIDS) is now supporting the setting up of effective and sustainable

Workplace Initiatives by the Indian Business Council on AIDS (IBCA). From

this year in close liaison with the ILO, UNAIDS and the Tata Council of

Community Initiatives the IBCA is committed to help all Indian Companies.

Both the MacArthur Foundation and the ABConAIDS have extended their grants

to help me develop the process further. This is just to say that I am

available to assist you in this matter.

Goals and specific objectives of the Indian Business Council on AIDS (IBCA):

1) To initiate or strengthen the already existing Workplace Initiatives in

Indian Companies using the exchange of Information and Core Modules already

developed by ILO and UNAIDS.

2) To develop linkages and work together with active leading National and

International Business and Labour Organizations so that common objectives

related to Workplace Initiatives could be carried out together and sustained

among all the companies in India.

Work plan:

Partners of the IBCA will be guided by exchange of information to develop

key strategies to manage AIDS in the workplace in the following program

components:

1) Securing support from the CEO

2) Strategies for effectively addressing AIDS in the workplace

3) Fundraising strategies

4) 'Effective/Good practice’ and ' Failure/Worst practice’ case studies

5) Workplace Policy and Guidelines on HIV/AIDS

6) Legal, Stigma, Gender and Discrimination issues in the world of work

7) Care and Support of those affected by HIV/AIDS

8) Strengthening the IBCA Membership and implementing its decisions.

Methods and Strategies:

The Heads of HR from the participating Indian Companies would be encouraged

to attend any of the four regional meets scheduled in the year. A List serve

has been set up at IBCoA and a monthly e-mail newsletter

specific on Biz and AIDS activities would be circulated. A moderated

discussion forum would help in members getting case-specific solutions. The

IBCA website would feature the best help available in the above-mentioned

program components, in addition to information on Training Programs,

Conferences, Funding etc., The amount of work done among its partners from

the Work plan up to date, its constraints and possible solutions would be

discussed for each consenting company of the Group. A work plan for each

company for the year needs to evolve.

Expected impact of the project:

An Immediate outcome would be an expanded network of committed individuals

in the whole country. This will create the first experiential programme on

HIV/AIDS that can put India in a leadership position within this financial

year.

Readers desirous of joining the IBCoA forum may send a Blank e-mail to

IBCoA-subscribe to subscribe. IBCoA members may post

messages to: IBCoA

[As no attachments are allowed in e-forum interested

readers may write to Dr. E. Mohamed Rafique for the Members' Details Form]

Dr. E. Mohamed Rafique

E-mail: emrafi@...

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