WORLD AIDS DAY 2005
Keep the promise at the workplace - the UN and beyond

The global theme of World AIDS Day 2005 was Stop AIDS - keep the promise. This refered in particular to the commitments made by Heads of State at the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS in June 2001, but also to the broader 'promise' of the international community to control the epidemic and help those affected. The purpose was to revitalize the response to AIDS, globally and locally. The General Assembly commitments included paragraphs on workplace action - both policies to tackle discrimination and programmes to provide prevention education and care.

As chair of the UNAIDS Committee of Cosponsoring Organizations, the ILO marked this day by holding a public event focusing on workplace action in the community at large and in the UN, with additional activities including films and exhibitions.

By using World AIDS Day to focus on what can be and what has been done in the world of work, the ILO contributed directly to "keeping the promise" as well as helping reinforce the national and international response.

The specific aims were to: - bring home to UN staff that AIDS is a profound global challenge with implications for their work and a health risk with implications for their behaviour and well-being - demonstrate to ILO staff, the UN and the wider community that the workplace is an integral part of national and international efforts to control the spread and impact of HIV, and offers hope through prevention, access to care and treatment, and the protection of rights - show how the ILO can lead and coordinate workplace action, both within the UN and in the wider community, based on the application of the ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work.

Main event

1 December at 11.00 in the Governing Body Room of the ILO, R3 South:
Panel discussion, chaired by Executive Director, Social Protection Sector.
Programme:
Statement from the Director-General
Short presentations:
- HIV/AIDS as a workplace and occupational health and safety issue, Director, ILO/AIDS
- HIV/AIDS and the workplace - the UN and beyond, UNAIDS
- Living in a world with HIV and AIDS - the first showing in the ILO of a short film for UN officials
- UN staff members living with HIV/AIDS - a representative of the newly-formed Positive Staff Group in Geneva
- View from the Medical Service
Closing remarks from the Chair, focusing on social protection and poverty reduction

Film shows

Every lunchtime from 12.30 except Thursday in the ILO cinema, feature films from all regions touching on HIV/AIDS:
Monday: A closer walk (USA)
Tuesday: my brother ... Nikhil (India)
Wednesday: Philadelphia (USA)
Friday: Yesterday (South Africa)

Exhibitions in the Colonnades

HIV/AIDS mainstreaming in the ILO - display of work relating to HIV/AIDS from departments across the Office.
Exhibition of Shona stone sculpture from Zimbabwe - tragedy and hope. Among adults in Zimbabwe of 20 to 34 years, HIV prevalence still averages over 20 per cent, but the rate of new infections is falling - especially among those under 20. This will help preserve the Shona sculpting tradition - as in many other types of work and other countries, the loss of adults to AIDS has interrupted the transfer of skills to the next generation.
Though stone sculpting has been a part of Zimbabwean tradition for centuries - the Great Zimbabwe, an archaeological masterpiece dating back to 1200 AD is the first evidence of the nation's stone carvers - it was not until the 1960s that the technique re-emerged on a grand scale. It is often termed Shona sculpture as most of its creators hail from the Shona tribe.
Zimbabwean sculptors believe they are 'freeing' a shape from within the stone itself. Each piece may take months to carve, emerging from the rough-hewn rock like a butterfly from a chrysalis. When the sculpting is finished the piece is heated to bring out the unique qualities and colours of the stone and then lovingly waxed and burnished till it glows.

Joint events in Geneva and New York City

We also joined the international community in the organization of World AIDS Day events in Geneva (see the programme in English or in French), and in New York City (see the programme in English) under the World AIDS Campaign theme of "Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.

The ILO planned to hold activities at national level. Here are some examples

Barbados
- The AIDS Foundation of Barbados will launch a flash advocacy film presentation for employers. This activity is supported by the ILO/USDOL workplace HIV/AIDS education programme and is intended to mobilize the private sector.
- The enterprises participating in the ILO/USDOL programme (Arawak Cement, Scotia Bank, GEMS of Barbados, Pine Hill Diary, Accra Beach Hotel, McBride Caribbean Ltd, Barbados National Bank, Amaryllis Beach Hotel) will "Make the Promise to Keep the Promise" in responding to HIV/AIDS in the world of work and will have all of their employees wear red on that day (Why red? This will give them the opportunity to explain to persons the symbol of the red ribbon). In addition to this, employees will be greeted with a World AIDS Message on their PCs when they log on.
- Scotia Bank, one of the participating enterprises, and the Ministry of Tourism will be mounting an exhibition
- The National Project Coordinator of the ILO/USDOL programme will do a press release on the project to highlight the work of the participating enterprises. In addition, a Greeting Message will be sent out to the ALL the staff in UN House on World AIDS Day.
- Arawak Cement Ltd, one of the participating enterprises, will conduct a food drive to support the HIV/AIDS Foodbank for persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Belize
- Panel displays in the utilities sector for both the employees and the general public.
- Enterprises involved in the ILO/USDOL workplace education programme will participate in the Annual AIDS Walk
- Various enterprises are organizing sensitization sessions at the workplace.
- The National Project Coordinator will brief the CAREC team visiting Belize to conduct sensitization sessions with parliamentarians.
- Press release will be sent to all media about the ILO/USDOL programme in Belize

Benin
Exhibition in all enterprises collaborating with the ILO/USDOL workplace education programme, and at UNDP and the US Embassy. A TV interview is scheduled and the National Project Coordinator will present the work of the ILO in Benin during an event organised by UNDP in Parakou.

Botswana
The team of the ILO/USDOL workplace education programme is collaborating with both the national stakeholders and the participating enterprises for the commemoration of World AIDS Day. Our project has been given a stall where we will be displaying messages on HIV/AIDS and also distributing brochures. The national stakeholders will be convening in one of the rural districts in an attempt to reach remote rural communities. Enterprises that will not be able to join the others will commemorate World AIDS Day in their respective workplaces. Some have planned to go on a community sensitization march while others will be doing a variety of activities including music and drama portraying AIDS messages. Additionally, a press release has been sent to the media.

Brazil
The 2005 theme for World AIDS Day in Brazil is "AIDS and Racism", and the slogan that has been developed is: "Aids e Racismo. O Brasil tem que viver sem preconceito." (Brazil must live without prejudice(s). It will mark a prevention campaign that is based on the fact that 47.3 per cent of the population is black and they represent the 65% of the country's poor and on the fact that despite the prevalence rate in the country is stable, in the black community the rate is still on the rise.

Burkina Faso
All government officials and partners in the fight against AIDS will convene for a walk and an official ceremony 30 km from Ouagadougou. All organizations will present their work in the field of HIV/AIDS. Posters and brochures have been prepared to present the ILO/USDOL workplace education programme.
In addition to that, the ILO/USDOL programme will be officially launched on 2 December with the participation of the Ministry of Labour and high-level representatives from employers' and workers' organizations.

Ethiopia
TV clip that address HIV/AIDS as a workplace issue will be shown. It will include statements by leading stakeholders in the world of work and will draw the public's attention to the national workplace HIV/AIDS response. It will sensitize the public on how discrimination and stigmatization against workers with HIV threaten fundamental principles and rights at work, and undermine efforts for prevention and care.
In Addis Ababa, the UN Community planned the UN 8km Walk due to take place on Sunday 20th November to commemorate the 2005 World AIDS Day. The main objectives for the UN walk are to increase awareness on HIV/AIDS amongst UN staff and families, fundraise and solidarity and VCCT for HIV. Each Walker is encouraged to find as many sponsors as possible who should pledge their support to the initiative.

Guyana
For World AIDS Day in Guyana, the enterprises have taken the initiative to plan and implement activities, in some cases continuing after 1 December.
Main activities:
- An HIV/AIDS symposium will be held that will focus specifically on stigma and discrimination at the workplace. A representative from one of the PLWHA Networks will speak. The peer educators who are being trained at Guyana Power and Light will be formally presented to their colleagues.
- Pinning of the Red Ribbon on employees and members of the public, display of the Red Ribbon on vehicles of the enterprises.
- Mini exhibitions at the enterprises.
Two half-day seminars on HIV/AIDS are also scheduled for staff of the UN System in Guyana. This is an interagency effort.

Indonesia
In Jakarta :
- Week's visit by Peter Piot, Director of UNAIDS, and World AIDS Day ceremony at the Vice President's Palace with district leaders. The private sector, including the ILO/USDOL workplace education programme enterprises, was also represented;
- The National Project Coordinator of the ILO/USDOL programme was invited by Coca Cola Foundation to give a talk on HIV/AIDS to employees and plant managers;
- KSPI (trade union) conducted an information session for 500 dockworkers and seafarers in the Tanjung Priok Port, while KSBI members took a break from the minimum wage negotiations to conduct information session to members of the transport federation;
- The National Project Coordinator gave a talk on SmartFM radio about HIV stigma and discrimination in the world of work.
In Batam:
- The tripartite constituents, with the support of the provincial AIDS commission, commemorated WAD by having the first Batam AIDS Walk Competition. 50 companies participated in the AIDS Walk by sending 11 workers to join the 5 km walk. Each team also did quizzes on HIV/AIDS along the 5 km walk.
In East Java:
- The National Project Coordinator gave a talk on HIV/AIDS and the workplace on JJFM radio.

Italy
In the framework of the Italian Cooperation Days, promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ILO Office in Rome is organizing an event for the World AIDS Day 2005 in Rome, in partnership with other UN Agencies and NGOs. The office is preparing a Kit with relevant ILOAIDS publications to be distributed during the event. It also asked for material for the media such as fact sheets, data, statistics, videos etc. It also suggested prepare specific fact sheets on each project with facts and stories of beneficiaries, if possible.

Jamaica
- Took part in the National AIDS Committee's Breakfast Forum entitled "Dealing with the HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination in Jamaica - The Role of the Legal Fraternity". The Forum was attended by several Attorneys-at-Law who were asked to sign a Declaration Statement of Commitment to advocate against HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination in Jamaica.
- Took part in the University of Technology's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and had a Workplace Booth along with the Jamaica Employers' Federation.
- distributing posters related to HIV/AIDS the world of work to our participating enterprises for display in their organization for World AIDS Day.

Lesotho
There will be a thirty-minute slot on national television where the Chief Executive of the Springfield textile company and the National Project Coordinator will be discussing why HIV/AIDS is a workplace issue. At the same time the Chief Executive will be persuading other CEOs to play a leading role in opposing stigma and discrimination.

Lebanon
In Beirut, the National Aids Programme (NAP) along with the UN Theme Group, to which ILO is a main cosponsor, decided to expand the efforts to go beyond the 1st of December, beginning much earlier and creating a larger campaign. The project "INSAN", which targets the media, (around 54% from TV, radio and magazines), was developed to include a musical play 'INSAN', as well as an awareness village. ILO is contributing technically in all stages of this project by emphasizing the workplace dimension of HIV/AIDS in the play scenario, and by organizing key meetings with decision makers in the ILO tripartite constitution. ILO will also be running a booth in the awareness village, where ILO/AIDS material will be displayed. In addition, seminars will be held during the week of December 1, when ILO will be organizing two seminars on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work, inviting the active participation of the tripartite constituents.

Nepal
In partner enterprises:
Organization of discussion sessions with all employees
Banner with slogan of this year's World AIDS Day
Video shows for workers at the workplace
Publicizing the Workplace Policy on HIV/AIDS
Inclusion of HIV/AIDS in on-going training
Distribution of condoms to employees and guests (hotel)
Visit to organizations of People Living with HIV/AIDS

Port of Spain
Public Activity:
Special lecture by a prominent Lawyer on HIV/AIDS and Discrimination in the workplace within the general context of workplace discrimination. This will be an after work activity held on 24 November with some refreshments post-lecture/discussions. Display of ILO material and distribution of the Code and brochures; catering for 150 persons from among constituents including Persons living with HIV.
Staff Activity:
Show of the Hindi movie 'Phir Milenge' (with subtitles) which deals with discrimination including in the workplace and with a gender perspective. Discussion after the movie, moderated by Carol Ann.
Other:
Preparation of a press release, also highlight SRO's projects/activities in the regions.

Russia
Activities under ILO SRO Moscow:
- An informal meeting for the ILO Moscow Office staff on HIV/AIDS provided by Moscow office HIV/AIDS team (Elena Kudriavtseva, Irina Sinelina, Vladlena Diachkova, Maria Remizova): presentation of the sociologist findings on HIV/AIDS (performed within the framework of the USDOL project), questions and answer panel, presentation of the materials elaborated by the projects useful for the staff and their families.
- A press-release on WAD will be distributed in the sub-region CIS countries
- There will be events within the framework of the USDOL project arranged in Murmansk and Moscow region: Ms. Afanasieva, Regional Project Coordinator in the Moscow region, will make a presentation to the staff of the Chief Directorate for Labour Relations and Social Policy of the Moscow region government, highlighting HIV/AIDS Workplace issues based on the ILO Code of Practice. The Chief Directorate happens to be a pilot enterprise of the project and host of the project office at no cost, at the same time.
Mr. Zenov, Regional Project Coordinator in the Murmansk region, will intervene at a community meeting in the framework of SOS Decade against AIDS and Drugs organized under the auspices of the Murmansk Region Administration.
- A presentation of "Your Health" manual for young people for representatives of the Ministry of Education RF, Federal Agency of Education RF, Federal Agency of Employment - federal partners of the UNFIP/DFID project -
- Participation in the joint UNAIDS activities planned for this day

South Africa
Londolozi Game Reserve and Letaba Estates will be sending their ideas as discussed with participating enterprises for purposes of reaching a higher number of employees. Their idea is Immediate Objective 2 "Reduction of stigma within the enterprises". They were asked to come up with either a campaign or interact with a locally based NGO, such as National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS to ask for support and assistance.

Sri Lanka
Media conference is organized with the participation of the Secretary of the Ministry of Labour.
Two pages in the Business section supplement in Daily paper, which is very popular among the business community, will be bought. The USDOL project's key enterprises, ILO, Chamber of Commerce and the National AIDS Programme will contribute articles on the activities each organisation is doing and will also have information on modes of transmission and prevention of HIV.
The Chamber of Commerce is organising a CEO Forum and ILO suggested having a poster exhibition at the venue. ILO will address the CEO Forum and also participate in the poster campaign