Profile 16. Business Coalitions on HIV/AIDS, Worldwide - Collaborative Advocacy and Action

Key lesson: Collaboration between business

· Business description:

Business coalitions that have come together specifically around HIV/AIDS have taken many different forms and structures. Some are informally based partnerships, while others are registered NGOs with membership fees. It is not possible to state which is the more effective as each is structured and acts within its own individual terms of reference and at different levels (local, national, regional and international).

1. INTERNATIONAL - Global Business Council on HIV&AIDS (GBC)

The Global Business Council on HIV&AIDS, founded in 1997, is a peer advocacy organisation that seeks to encourage expanded and enhanced involvement of the corporate sector in the response to HIV/AIDS. Its membership is comprised of CEOs from companies who have demonstrated active and visible commitments to the epidemic. Recently the GBC’s standing and role within the international HIV/AIDS arena has increased significantly. For example, it was recognised by the Corporate, Labour and Foundation sector of the International Partnership against AIDS in Africa as one of the most effective instruments at the international level for mobilising the business response to HIV/AIDS.

2. REGIONAL - The European AIDS and Enterprise Network (EAEN)

The European AIDS and Enterprise Network was founded in 1997 as a European Commission (EC) initiative supporting European Union businesses in providing positive action regarding HIV/AIDS in the workplace. Financial support comes from both the EC and leading businesses in Europe. The Network provides AIDS and HIV related information and expertise to members via National Coordination Centres, helping enterprises to respond to the needs of employees who contracted HIV/AIDS, and to combat discrimination against employees with HIV and AIDS. The approach includes a focus on education and publicity, as well as on more technical and targeted management approaches to the illness.

3. NATIONAL (business led) - South African Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (SABCOHA)

The SABCOHA is a coalition of national and international businesses advocating a greater and more co-ordinated response from business in South Africa. The Coalition has recently been establishing itself through practical measures to provide access to information on business and HIV/AIDS. They are currently setting up an AidsOnline Knowledge Centre that will include a websitebased library of information and resources. This is to include information on HIV/AIDS, analysis of the impact on business, legislative implications and good practice case studies.

4. NATIONAL (NGO) - Thailand Business Coalition on AIDS (TBCA)

The TBCA is an NGO with businesses paying a membership fee, with the aim of providing leadership in the response to HIV/AIDS in Thailand, with over 80 members from a diverse range of sectors. The Coalition members are given assistance on implementing effective prevention programmes and other services dependent on the level of membership (fee-based). The organisation also functions as a resource centre and consultancy, providing tailored business and HIV/AIDS education, and a prevention curriculum for business managers.

5. INFORMATION SHARING AND TOOLS - Business Exchange on AIDS and Development (BEAD)

BEAD is a global network of companies, NGOs, academic institutions and intergovernmental organisations concerned with the impact of diseases, in particular HIV/AIDS, on businesses in developing countries. It undertakes initiatives to address the financial and organisational impact of diseases. These have included a guide to business developed by BEAD business members on how to monitor, minimise and manage the impact and spread of disease, including HIV/AIDS. It is currently developing a Monitoring Information System to help companies keep accurate workforce/disease profiles.