PAST EVENTS

Commercial Media and Advertisement Workshop

August 2, 2007
Beijing, China

Six key priorities for incorporating the impact of stigma-reducing initiatives were identified at the GBC Commercial Media and Advertisement Workshop. The conference shifted sector-wide perceptions regarding HIV and AIDS by facilitating the creation of new images, icons, metaphors and distribution platforms. Some examples of this type of implementation include:

• using celebrities as champions;
• celebrating the constructive lives of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA);
• creating support structures for PLWHA within organizations and families
• empowering marginalized communities;
• addressing the underlying causes of the epidemic;
• developing a collective optimism for the future of the fight against HIV

The roundtable convened over 120 participants, including representatives from GBC members MTV, Anglo American, DaimlerChrysler, Standard Chartered, Bayer, SOHU.com, L'Oréaland Calypte Biomedical Corporation. These key partners are set meet again in smaller working groups over the course of the next year. As moderators the workshop, GBC used the opportunity to further plans for the China Media Partnership—modeled from the successful Russia Media Partnership designed by Transatlantic Partners Against AIDS (TPAA).

GBC China Coordinates Programming for AIDS Impacted Children to Visit Member Companies

July 2007
Beijing, China

For one week this July, GBC China volunteered efforts to support to the Chi Heng Foundation’s ‘Summer Camp for Children,’ yet another example of GBC’s ongoing efforts to engage member company participation in HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and anti-stigma projects. This annual program rewards AIDS impacted children—either children suffering from AIDS or AIDS orphans—who perform well in school by inviting them to experience life in one of China’s major cities for a week.

At the camp in Beijing, 26 students from the rural Henan, Anhui and Shandong provinces participated in numerous activities designed to engage young minds: visiting Beijing’s universities and tourist sites; art therapy; and ‘day programs’ hosted by companies such as GBC Members Standard Chartered Bank, Bayer and L'Oréal. As the students toured the companies, they got a first-hand glimpse of day to day operations in an environment conducive to social change.

Addressing the efficacy of this program, GBC China Director Michael Shiu stated, "These students are prominently recognized for their scholastic excellence and are rewarded with a unique cultural experience. This camp will most certainly be an effective method of positive re-enforcement." Shiu noted, however, that the rewards of this program are not limited to students. The facilitators of the program—such as member company representatives—interact positively with the children, gaining insight into the AIDS epidemic that has been ravaging China’s rural provinces. Shiu asserts that cultural exchanges such as this will be critical to reducing the stigma associated with AIDS.

June 19, 2007
Beijing, China

On June 19^th GBC China joined Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium at an ‘Olympics with you and me’ tree-planting event held at an Olympics construction site in central Beijing. This year-long tree–planting project is being sponsored by the Health Bureau of Beijing Municipality, in collaboration with two local HIV/AIDS advocacy groups: the Mangrove Support Group and Arc of Love. Its purpose is to involve people living with HIV in preparing Beijing for the 2008 Olympics. Fighting stigma is key to getting China’s HIV/AIDS crisis under control, and the groups involved want to use the tree-planting to show the general public that people living with HIV are contributing to Chinese society in valuable ways.

Princess Mathilde attended the event in her capacity as Special Representative of UNAIDS, and she cited the words of that organization’s Director, Peter Piot, in her remarks. "Education is a social vaccine, when people know how to prevent HIV they will understand that there is no need for stigmatization and discrimination against people living with HIV." She went on to mention that the very theme of the Beijing Olympics, "one world, one dream," and the universal values of the Olympic spirit are relevant to overcoming the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. "These very values are also the ones that should guide us in all our contacts with others, whatever their age, sex, ethnic origin or HIV-status." The Princess concluded her remarks by stressing that people should use the opportunity of the Olympics to inspire the younger generation to pursue a healthier lifestyle.

GBC China was represented by its Director, Michael Shiu. Other noted guests included China Red Cross Executive Director Jiang Yiman; Olympic table tennis champion Deng Yaping; Li Xiang, the HIV positive founder of Mangrove and Meng Lin, the HIV positive founder of Arc of Love.

» Read a News Article in the People's Daily Online

May 29, 2007
Moscow, Russia

On May 29th, the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and Transatlantic Partners Against AIDS (GBC/TPAA) hosted the First Roundtable of the National Association of Business Against AIDS (BAA) in Russia. The event, held in Moscow, was made possible thanks to support from the Russia, Belarus and Ukraine Division of The Coca-Cola Company and the Association of Textile and Light Industry Enterprises, Vostok-Service.

The forum marked the inauguration of BAA and the start of semi-annual roundtables of the Association. These regular meetings will provide a platform for GBC/BAA member companies in Russia to share best practices on how to safeguard their employees, the communities where they work, and their economic interests from the risks associated with HIV/AIDS and other preventable diseases.

The first Roundtable gathered 28 participants from 22 companies including GBC Members Abbott, Alcoa, BD, BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, GlaxoSmithKline, Heineken, MTV Russia, Nike, PepsiCo, Pfizer, SABMiller, Royal Dutch Shell and Vostok-Service.

In his capacity as BAA Co-Chairman, Vladimir Golovnev, President of the Association of Light and Textile Industry Enterprises Vostok-Service, gave welcoming remarks at the Roundtable. Vostok-Service was the first Russian company to join GBC. They are currently developing a corporate standard on HIV/AIDS and are on the frontline of the Russian corporate response to fight HIV/AIDS.

During the Roundtable, there were a series of presentations.  Avet Khachatrian, GBC/TPAA Regional Program Director, spoke about the role and mission of GBC in Russia. Natalya Podogova, GBC/TPAA Business and Labor Manager, addressed the impact of HIV/AIDS on company competitiveness. Tatiana Grechanaia, GBC/TPAA HEALTH@WORK Manager, discussed workplace prevention programs. Natalya Katsap, Manager of the Russian Media Partnership spoke about building public-private partnership within the StopAIDS media campaign and Ekaterina Shneiderova from STS-Media presented the Russian Media Partnership to Combat HIV/AIDS from a participating member’s perspective.

The main session of the Roundtable provided an opportunity for participants to ask questions about HIV/AIDS programs and opportunities for further engagement, while several committed GBC/TPAA partners presented their current HIV/AIDS-related corporate activities, including PepsiCo’s HR Manager Alexander Bednov, BP’s Health Advisor Alexander Chatokhine,  Shell’s Communications Coordinator Maria Reutskaya and SABMiller’s HR Director Elena Mikhailova.  

Participants highlighted issues that prevent companies operating within Russia from engaging in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on HIV/AIDS.  The lack of tax incentives continues to be a challenge in motivating companies to take action.  As Dmitry Bliumkin, Marketing Vice-President, MTV-Russia notes: “We could do much more in this sphere if there was a law facilitating taxation for companies engaged into charity and CSR.” Natalya Katsap added that there is currently an expert group supported by the RMP working on a proposal for related legislative amendments.

Galina Grigoryeva, Alcoa’s Sustainable Development Manager, added that comprehensive research on the impact of HIV/AIDS on employees’ productivity would be of great help for managers in weighing the scope and actions within the corporate prevention program.

Dimitris Vayas, an analyst at the Russian Managers Association, proposed compiling an integrated corporate standard on HIV/AIDS which could be a benchmark for Russian companies willing to adapt a corporate policy on HIV/AIDS. This document could facilitate a dynamic engagement of CSR and action against HIV epidemic.

Mikhail Chernookov, HIV Manager at Abbott, pointed out that an emotional approach is very important when addressing HIV/AIDS-related issues with Russians. “I started treating this topic very seriously after visiting an orphanage for HIV-positive children. Now I feel that the issue of HIV/AIDS affects me personally”.

In summary, it was clear that there are opportunities for companies to invest in prevention through trainings, distribution of publications and adoption of corporate standards. It was equally apparent that there are ways that companies can take care of their employees living with HIV/AIDS (especially with psychological support and consulting – common gaps in federal AIDS programs). “These initiatives could be incorporated into a wider Corporate Employee Assistance Program which is not yet implemented in Russia has proven to be very efficient in many countries of the world” said Tatiana Grechanaia, Manager of GBC/TPAA’s HEALTH@WORK Program. Participants expressed keen interest in initiating and expanding programs to meet these goals.

As Avet Khachatrian, Regional Program Director, aptly summarized, “HIV/AIDS is not a political problem: it gathers leaders from confronting politic factions, from all business sectors and different public organizations. It really affects everyone. Hence, the only solution and chance to win in the fight against the epidemic is joining the forces of all the stakeholders.”

The next BAA meeting will be held in December 2007 and dedicated to World’s AIDS Day.

GBC and the Healthy Women Healthy Economies initiative scale-up in Eastern and Southern Africa

May 18-22, 2007
Nairobi, Kenya

In mid-May GBC’s East Africa office played a key role in the recently completed Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Heads of State and Government Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. COMESA is a regional block of 19 African states that have agreed to promote regional integration through developing trade and promoting investment. One of COMESA’s major goals is to develop their natural and human resources in concert for the mutual benefit of all their people.

GBC was involved in two of the summit’s major policy meetings: the COMESA Business Conference and the First Ladies of Africa Round Table. The two-day Business Conference was convened by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM). KAM invited GBC to be one of the key organizations to provide direction for the meeting, again highlighting GBC’s expanded profile in the East African region. GBC’s representatives attended meetings with other business organizations, discussing the business role in addressing social issues such as health and education. Most importantly, GBC was able to facilitate a session on the role of business in addressing social issues.

The Healthy Women Healthy Economies (HWHE) initiative took the spotlight at the First Ladies of Africa Roundtable, sponsored by GBC and the Organization of African First Ladies in Africa (OAFLA). OAFLA has assisted GBC in establishing high level networks that provide excellent opportunities for crucial policy and advocacy work. GBC began working with OAFLA through the HWHE initiative in 2005. The two organizations joined forces to draw more attention to issues affecting women and young girls, especially as they pertain to HIV/AIDS in Africa.

During the summit, the First Ladies of COMESA member states held a roundtable with business leaders from around the region; this event was organized by the COMESA Gender Policy and Women in Business Unit. The East Africa office worked closely with the COMESA Secretariat on the organization of both the roundtable and a reception for business women. At the reception GBC was the only business organization to address the role of business in issues relevant to women and girls, allowing GBC to expand the First Ladies’ understanding of HWHE. GBC member companies benefited as well. The 100 business women--many of them GBC members--in attendance were given the benefit of a personal meeting with the First Ladies, gaining a broader understanding of the issues dear to each of these dignitaries.

As a result of its involvement in the summit GBC strengthened relationships with the Kenyan government, COMESA and other key players in the region. Rwandan First Lady, Jeannette Kagame, invited GBC member companies to take part in a burgeoning education initiative targeting young girls. Zambian First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa expressed interest in expanding GBC’s involvement in malaria work in her country, citing GBC’s recent public private partnership as an example of an effective malaria response. Other First Ladies in attendance included those from Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, and the Queen of Swaziland, among others.

Malaria Awareness Day 2007

April 25, 2007
Worldwide

Known internationally as Africa Malaria Day, April 25 provides nations, businesses, organizations and individuals an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to fighting malaria. This year, the GBC and several of its member companies teamed up with the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the President’s Malaria Initiative to provide 500,000 anti-malarial bed nets for distribution throughout Zambia, one of the hardest-hit malarial countries in the world. As a result, more than one million Zambians -- the majority of them orphaned or vulnerable children -- will be protected from malaria.

» View the GBC Malaria Awareness Day Ad Published in the Washington Times
» Read First Lady Laura Bush's Remarks Regarding Malaria Awareness Day 2007

Kyiv TPAA Reception

April 2, 2007
Kyiv, Ukraine

On April 2nd, a high level team of Ukrainian business leaders, government officials and representatives of international and non-governmental organizations gathered for an initimate Dinner Reception in Kyiv to learn more about the work of the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GBC). Lev Partshaladze, Chair of the National Association of Business Against AIDS (BAA) in Ukraine and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of XXI Century Investments, hosted the event. GBC Executive Director John Tedstrom presented to the high level audience, highlighting new opportunities for corporate engagement on HIV/AIDS and TB.

The National Association of Business Against AIDS (BAA) in Ukraine, which is coordinated by TPAA/GBC, organized the Dinner Reception under the leadership of its Chair Lev Partshaladze. XXI Century Investments, where Partshaladze serves as Chairman of the Supervisory Board, recently became the first company to join the GBC. In partnership with TPAA/GBC, BAA works to mobilize the energy, resources and experience of the Ukrainian business and labor communities to effectively fight HIV/AIDS. Its objectives include assistance with development and implementation of HIV prevention programs in the workplace, advocacy for the development and enforcement of non-discrimination policies, HIV/AIDS awareness and stigma reduction through information campaigns, and support of a productive and open dialogue between high-level politicians and business leaders on issues related to HIV/AIDS in Ukraine.

During the Dinner Reception, GBC Executive Director John Tedstrom familiarized the business leaders with GBC’s activities and highlighted examples of how the provide sector can work together with government and nongovernmental organizatiosn to fight HIV/AIDS and TB at a local, national and global level. Although there is growing attention to HIV/AIDS and TB within the business community in Ukraine, more must be done to help curb the spread of these deadly epidemics, Tedstrom asserted. Additional speakers at the event included Peter Argo, Deputy Director of the USAID Mission in Ukraine; Lev Partshaladze, Head of Supervisory Board at XXI Century Investments; Yulia Burmistenko, Manager on Social Issues for EastOne LLC; Yulia Stephanyshyna, President of Independent Media Sanoma Magazines in Ukraine; and Anatoliy Zabolotnyj, Director of the Development of Ukraine Foundation.

Member companies Microsoft and Levi Strauss attended the event.

China Australia Business Forum on Children and AIDS:
Building Win-Win Partnerships

April 17, 2007
Grand Ball Room, Regent Hotel
Beijing, China

The business forum was held at the elegant Regent Hotel in Beijing China. Approximately 60 people attended this event which started with a buffet breakfast and ended with an outdoor garden luncheon. The focus of the event was to launch the "Eight Corporate Responses to Children, Young People and AIDS, a win-win Guide".

GBC co-chaired the business forum with the UNICEF. VIP guests speakers included:
Ms. Fiona Sinclair-King - Board Member and Country Head, UNICEF Australia 
Mr. Graham Fletcher – Minister, Australian Embassy China
Mr. Li Qiang – Director General, Ministry of Commerce of China
Dr. Chen Qingfeng – Director, State Council AIDS Working Committee Office

GBC member companies present included Anglo American, Bayer, Rio Tinto, AREVA, PricewaterhouseCoopers, APCO, MTV/Viacom, Novartis, Arcelor.

GBC conducted a presentation with expert speakers from the public and private sectors focusing on "What key factors contribute to successful China-based corporate partnership to address AIDS." This was followed by a working session on the issue "How can businesses create win-win situations in the Asia-Pacific, including China ."

After the conclusion of the presentations, participants were invited to attend a field trip organized by GBC and its member company Horizon Research Group. Over 30 of the participants attended a training program at the UNICEF compounds where they interfaced with the Youth Ambassadors for AIDS. The event concluded with a luncheon held at the UNICEF Garden.

Roundtable Event on HIV/AIDS and TB with Becton Dickinson

March 15, 2007
Moscow, Russia

On March 15th, Transatlantic Partners Against AIDS (TPAA) / Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GBC) organized a roundtable event with a top level delegation from Becton, Dickinson & Company (BD) to discuss cross sector approaches to fighting HIV/AIDS and TB in Russia. The event was part of a three day trip by the BD delegation to Russia and Ukraine which included a wide range of discussions with policy leaders, the business community and non-profit organizations operating in the field of HIV and TB, including communities of people living with HIV.

As a member of the GBC and part of the public sector delegation to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, BD has engaged in a variety of public-private partnerships to confront health global health crises. For over 100 years, the company has consistently applied its technologies, resources and institutional knowledge to help address fundamental health issues, such as HIV/AIDS. From prevention of disease transmission to diagnosis of infections to monitoring treatment, BD products and services support the continuum of care required to help fight HIV/AIDS. BD has accumulated a wealth of knowledge on HIV and TB, which, according to its Executive Vice President Gary Cohen, is "more important than the products of the company."

Participants at the Roundtable event in Moscow included:

• Gary Cohen, BD Executive Vice President
• Renuka Gadde, BD Director of Global Immunization and Injection Safety
• Avet Khachatrian, Representative of TPAA/GBC in Russia
• Alexandr Goliusov, Head of the Department on HIV/AIDS Prevention at the Federal Agency for the Protection of Consumer Rights and Human Welfare and Chairman of the Coordination Committee on HIV/AIDS in CIS
• Alexei Bobrik, Deputy Director of the Open Health Institute
• Oksana Ponomarenko, Director of Partners In Health (PIH) in Russia
• Andrey Zlobin, Representative of the Community of People living with HIV (PLWH)
• Vitaly Dzhuma, Representative of the Russian Harm Reduction Network

Gary Cohen, who has been with Becton Dickinson since 1983, emphasized the importance of BD’s partnerships with various philanthropic, government and non-government agencies to achieve significant healthcare impacts and save lives throughout the world. He highlighted BD’s partnership on maternal and child health, which aims to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus by 2005; partnerships to control and eventually eliminate measles worldwide; research and development of AIDS vaccines; BD’s work to ensure that products that help governments address bio-terrorism threats get to the market in record time; and efforts to educate people about managing diabetes.

Alexandr Goliusov, Head of the Department on HIV/AIDS Prevention of the Federal Agency for the Protection of Consumer Rights and Human Welfare, and Chairman of the Coordination Committee on HIV/AIDS in CIS, outlined the Russian government’s efforts to fight HIV/AIDS including the formation of a special commission on AIDS and an increase in the budgetary allocation for AIDS to 3.1 billion roubles (US $114 million) in 2006 and 7,7 billion roubles (US $ 285 million) in 2007, which aim at ensure quality diagnostics and treatment. Goliusov stressed his interest in working with BD to build training centers on diagnostics and capacity building for medical professionals. He also suggested putting diagnostics and occupational safety of medical personnel on the agenda for the Coordination Committee on HIV/AIDS in CIS "It is pleasure to note that Becton Dickinson and Company pays much attention to scientific development. Russia spends over US $ 1 million this year for this purpose – this has never happened before," said Goliusov.

Avet Khachatrian of TPAA/GBC in Russia spoke about potential areas of cooperation for BD in the region, including the development of new public-private partnerships in Russia and Ukraine, advocacy efforts specifically targeted at mobilizing local businesses to action, and opportunities to utilize BD’s core business competencies to build the capacity of governmental and non-governmental organizations in the fight against HIV/AIDS and TB. Alexei Bobrik, Deputy Director of Open Health Institute (OHI) confirmed willingness to work with BD within the framework of in the GLOBUS project to train medical professionals in workplace safety. Gary Cohen cited BD’s expertise in this area, including their work condcting laboratory trainings, safety programs and facilitating technological advancement.  

Oksana Ponomarenko, Director of Partners In Health (PIH) in Russia, spoke about the organization’s successful project on multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in the Tomsk region of Russia. Russia has the highest TB mortality among European countries – 29,783 people died in 2005. She emphasized rapid TB diagnostic tests as an area of potential partnership with BD. Andrey Zlobin of the Community of People living with HIV (PLWHA) in Russia also offered to partner with BD to raise TB awareness among PLWHA in order to increase treatment adherence and reduce TB mortality.

Vitaly Dzhuma of the Russian harm reduction network also expressed his organization’s interest in providing HIV training to new harm reduction programs and raising treatment awareness among them. He added his view that the products they are purchasing should be diversified, based on the needs in each region. Capacity building and injection safety are very important for NGOs engaged in harm reduction, he noted, and may be good areas for future cooperation with BD.

The visit by BD to Russia and Ukraine helped establish a framework for new cross-sector partnerships on HIV/AIDS and TB in Russia and Ukraine. In addition, it showcased BD’s commitment and interest in strengthening the company’s involvement in regional health issues, such as HIV/AIDS and TB. In the coming months, TPAA/GBC will continue to work closely with BD and key stakeholders in Russia and Ukraine to further develop these new cross-sector partnerships.

GBC Calls for Business Action in Canada

January 17, 2007
Toronto, Canada

GBC bolstered its Canada work on January 17^th with a series of sold-out events and meetings with the Toronto business community and GBC member companies. As keynote speaker at an Economic Club of Toronto luncheon, GBC Chairman Sir Mark Moody-Stuart gave a powerful presentation entitled "The Business Response to HIV/AIDS, TB & Malaria: An Executive’s Perspective." Urging Canadian companies to replace complacency with action, he stressed the disease’s grave economic impact. "Whether the private sector likes it or not," Sir Mark said in a strong call to action, "AIDS is and has always been a business issue. This is an unusual disease that primarily affects the world’s workers, individuals ages 15 to 45, who should comprise the most economically productive demographic."

The Economic Club of Toronto luncheon and GBC Senior Executive breakfast were co-sponsored by GBC members Merck Frosst Canada and the National Basketball Association/Toronto Raptors Basketball Club. Both events were attended by GBC member companies, including Barrick Gold, BMO Financial Group, Royal Bank of Canada, Scotiabank, and TD Bank Financial Group.

Sir Mark Moody-Stuart Addresses the Economic Club of Toronto

In his address to more than 175 guests, Sir Mark discussed the devastating consequences of AIDS, TB and malaria, urging Toronto’s business community to get involved in the global fight against the world’s three deadliest pandemics. "In fact, everyone must have a role if these preventable and treatable diseases are going to be defeated," he said.

Chairman of Anglo American plc, Sir Mark offered an insider’s perspective on his company’s battle against the African AIDS pandemic. "If we knew in the 1980’s what we know now about HIV and AIDS, we could have prevented so much human loss and devastation," he said. During a question and answer session, he reiterated that senior-level leadership is a crucial component in AIDS prevention.

In closing, Sir Mark highlighted the positive efforts of GBC’s Canadian companies, including M•A•C Cosmetics, Scotiabank, Alcan, and Indigo Books & Music Inc. He then issued a challenge, urging audience members to tap their personal and professional networks to garner additional GBC members and involvement with other advocacy organizations.

» Read Globe and Mail coverage of the event
» Learn facts about Canada and HIV/AIDS
» Learn more about the Economic Club of Toronto

GBC Convenes Senior Executives to Share Success

The Toronto sessions began January 17th with a Senior Executive breakfast attended by GBC member companies who spoke frankly about current demands, challenges, successes, and opportunities for companies committed to the fight against HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria. International economist Richard Kelly presented a special report by TD Financial Group titled, "Economic Cost of AIDS: A Clear Case for Action." Toronto Raptors veteran guard Darrick Martin shared his personal commitment to fight HIV/AIDS, explaining that he was inspired by his childhood idol and friend Magic Johnson; Martin also discussed the NBA’s award-winning programs to fight HIV/AIDS and malaria. To conclude the event., representatives from BMO Financial Group and the international nonprofit organization Dignitas International outlined their efforts to increase access to life-saving treatment and prevention in areas overwhelmed by HIV and AIDS.

» Access TD Bank Financial Group’s presentation from the Senior Executive Breakfast

Global Corporate Social Responsibility Forum

January 26, 2007
Beijing, China

The Global Corporate Social Responsibility Forum, held in Beijing, represented an important platform for communication among leaders of enterprise, government, academia, media, and NGOs. This Forum was organized by China Newsweek and the Chinese Red Cross Foundation. GBC assisted China Newsweek in the development of this initiative and was invited to participate in the event. Seizing on this opportunity, GBC invited many of its member companies to attend this forum on a complimentary basis in the Great Hall of the People.

Topics covered during the forum included the following:

1. Keynote addresses by high officials of the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Health, and other key ministries, as well as WHO.
2. Responsibility and transparency
3. People, quality of life, and public health
4. Subsistence and harmonious nature
5. Welfare and development

Approximately 800 people attended this Forum. Of which about 80 participants from 16 GBC member companies and NGOs were invited by GBC. Companies attended included the following:

European CEO Summit on Business and AIDS Centre de Conferences Internationals

Oct. 13, 2006
Paris, France

Organized in Paris by the Global Business Coalition on AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (GBC), in partnership with Mr. Philippe Douste-Blazy, French Minister of Foreign Affairs, the first European CEO Summit on Business and HIV/AIDS confirmed the commitment of the private sector and their engagement to identify new strategies to improve their impact and implication. This meeting reinforced the private sector’s action in the fight against HIV/AIDS and constituted a unique platform for dialogue and exchanging experiences between key actors.

President and CEO of the Global Business Coalition (GBC) Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and French Minister of Foreign Affairs Philippe Douste-Blazy speak during a panel and news conference of GBC on HIV/AIDS at the European CEO Summit on Business and AIDS in the International Conference center October 13, 2006 in Paris. (Photo by Francois Durand/Getty Images)

Designed to facilitate the collaboration between the private sector, political decision makers, bilateral and multilateral aid agencies, and NGOs, this Summit allowed companies to:

§ share their experiences on various subjects (prevention, access to treatment, financing healthcare, innovative approaches, public-private partnerships)

§ explore potential partnerships and support from governments, donors, and NGOs

The main audience for the Summit was company leaders and also technical managers, representatives of the public sector, aid agencies, and civil society. The 200 participants from over 15 European countries consisted of company CEOs and representatives, governments, non-governmental organizations, and international aid/donor organizations.

Thirty CEOs and thirty company representatives participated in the morning roundtables, consecrated to innovative financing mechanisms, public-private partnerships, and the utilisation of core competencies in the fight against AIDS. The afternoon sessions addressed a more technical audience and examined concrete examples of public-private partnerships and emerging countries.

Businesses, now, can affirm their will to play their role, aligned with governments, international partners and civil society.

» View the program agenda for the CEO Summit
» View the event factsheet  
» View the event press release  

Bertrand Collomb, Vice-Chairman of the GBC on HIV/AIDS and Chairman of Lafarge pointed out, one of the most powerful tools in fighting AIDS is a company’s use of its internal skills and core competencies. (Photo by Francois Durand/Getty Images)

Following is a list of media coverage (in English) of the CEO Summit on Business and AIDS:  

» Alcan Highlights Efforts To Fight Aids In Africa At First European CEO Summit On Business And Hiv/AIDS

Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and his team for kindly hosting this high level meeting and facilitating its success.

We are particularly grateful to President Jorge Sampaio, First UN Envoy for the fight against Tuberculosis and former President of Portugal, Bertrand Collomb, Vice president of the GBC and Chairman of Lafarge, Michel Barnier, Vice president of BioMerieux Alliance, Bernard Kouchner, and Mrs. Christine Nebout Adjobi, Minister of the fight against AIDS of Ivory Coast, for their contribution to the Summit.

We thank all our speakers, CEOs and other guests – such as the AIDS Ambassadors who honored this Summit with their presence.

We are very thankful for the contributions of our moderators Christine Ockrent, Dr Michel Ogrizek, Dr Michele Barzach, Pr Michel Kazatchkine and Eric Danon for driving the discussion during the morning roundtables and afternoon sessions.

Press Conference-Presentation of World AIDS Day Leadership Declaration and the Interactive Course on Monitoring and Evaluation

December 1, 2006, 11h00-12h30
Lafarge, 61 rue des Belles Feuilles, 75016 Paris, France

Moderated by Mr. Bertrand Collomb, the goal of this press conference was to present the CEO Summit results and next steps including a leadership declaration, make public the GBC Post-CEO Summit DVD-ROM, and announce the launch of the Interactive Course on Monitoring and Evaluation of HIV/AIDS Workplace Programs. Mr. Collomb highlighted the representation of various CEO signatures on the leadership declaration, advocating that companies are ready to create new synergies, develop innovative approaches and new financing mechanisms, notably through public-private partnerships. Mr. Collomb also announced the signature of a co-investment initiative, signed that very morning, between Areva CEO Anne Lauvergeon, ESTHER, and the government of Niger. Mr. Pelisson emphasized the new initiatives of the Accor group throughout the world. Mr. Debrat described the strategy of the AFD relative to public-private partnerships relative to HIV/AIDS and the reasons for their support for "Partners Against AIDS." Next, Ms. Barzach explained why company workplace programs are essential and the reasons for GlaxoSmithKline’s support of GBC’s Interactive Course of Monitoring and Evaluation of Workplace Programs. Finally, Gesa Kupfer and Erick Maville presented the GBC and GTZ’s objectives in creating this interactive course and its content. They contentded that the CD-Rom will set standards in assessing and benchmarking HIV workplace programs that will further effectiveness and sustainability of HIV workplace programmes. The CD-Rom addresses the needs of the companies and provides them with tools to monitor and evaluate the overall achievements of their programs in changing people’s behavior with regard to HIV/AIDS.

Press Conference Panel:
Bertrand Collomb, Vice Chairman of the GBC, Chairman of Lafarge
Gilles Pélission, CEO of Accor
Jean-Michel Debrat, Deputy Executive Director of AFD (French Developmental Agency)
Michèle Barzach, President of the GlaxoSmithKline French Business Foundation
Other Speakers:
Erick Maville, Technical Director, GBC Europe
Gesa Kupfer, Program Officer, GTZ

Two-Day Training on HIV/AIDS Reporting for Journalists from across Eurasia

November 22-23, 2006
Moscow, Russia

On November 22nd and 23rd, Transatlantic Partners Against AIDS (TPAA) assembled over 100 journalists and representatives of AIDS-service organizations from Russia, Ukraine and the Central Asia countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan for a special training entitled, "On the Frontline of the Epidemic: Reporting on HIV/AIDS." The training, which was held in Moscow, was a collaborative effort between TPAA’s Journalism Programs in Russia and Ukraine. Financial support for the event was provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck & Co, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Kaiser Family Foundation, and the Open Health Institute (OHI), within the framework of the GLOBUS project.

Over the course of the two-day training, participants discussed the state of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the world and in Eurasia, as well as trends in the spread of HIV and implications for society. Presentations highlighted common misconceptions about access to HIV/AIDS treatment and therapy and stressed the important role of mass media in covering HIV/AIDS. Special attention was given to the issue of the ethics in journalism and the social responsibility of journalists. Stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS was also analyzed.

The speakers at the event included representatives of the Russian Department for Monitoring HIV/AIDS, the Federal Service for the Protection of Consumer Rights and Society, the Center for the Prevention and Fight Against AIDS in Ukraine, World Health Organization (WHO), UNAIDS, GlaxoSmithKline Russia, Community of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Russia, Foundation for Independent Radio Broadcasting, and Internews, among others.

For the first time, a special session was held on the development of an HIV/AIDS vaccine. Dr. Frans van den Boom, Executive Director for European Programs for the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and Dr. Eduard V. Karamov of the Ivanovskiy Research Institute of Virology at the Russian Academy of Medical Science presented obstacles and prospects related to the development of an HIV/AIDS vaccine. Vladimir Shukhov, Professor and Research Officer at the Research Institute for Epidemiology at the Federal Service for Protection of Consumer Rights and Society also presented a separate session on tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS. Harm reduction programs were discussed, including facts and myths about substitution therapy.

Journalists from radio, TV and print media also engaged in working sessions on HIV/AIDS reporting, which included a discussion of the legal aspects of covering HIV/AIDS issues. Representatives of governmental and non-governmental AIDS service organizations attended a separate session on strategies and perspectives in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The two-day training was heralded as a great success, based on the positive feedback received from participants, and marked a significant development in the growing regional network of journalists committed to accurate and comprehensive HIV/AIDS coverage and education.  

For more information, please contact
Olga Knorre
Manager, Journalism Program
Phone: +7 (495) 510-5370
Fax: +7 (495) 510-5371
oknorre@tpaa.net