Whats New
Launch of Business Committee to Fight HIV/AIDS
The Business Committee to Fight HIV/AIDS (CEC) was launched on June 20th, 2006, in Luanda, as part of an initiative of the National Institute to Fight AIDS (INLS), Odebrecht, and the United States Agency for International Development. This Committee is aimed at creating a participatory environment for all businesses that are interested in expanding and enriching the HIV/AIDS programs that they have for their workforce. Her honor Ambassador Efird gave remarks as did the Minister of Health, Sebastião Veloso. During the event, USAID welcomed Dr. Jeffrey Ashley, the Director of the Regional HIV/AIDS program for the Regional Economic Development Services Office for East and Southern Africa, who spoke on the subject of "Importance and Successes of Business Alliances in Africa". Following, Dr. Genesio Couta of Odebrecht spoke of a proposed business alliance in Angola.
Among its objectives, the CEC will channel private sector resources, energy and capabilities to reinforce Angolan efforts to teach AIDS prevention and behavior change messages to employees, their families, and communities. It will provide a forum for companies to share their HIV/AIDS related experiences and materials, such as workplace policies, insurance plans, and awareness and prevention programs. Experienced companies will also be linked with other companies seeking suggestions on how to start or how to improve their HIV/AIDS outreach, education and care programs. Finally, communication and feedback will improve between the private sector and the INLS on policies, best practices and strategic thinking on mitigating the effect of HIV/AIDS on labor forces and Angolan communities.
As one of the first firms in the country to develop a comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention program for its workforce, Odebrecht came together with Coca-Cola and several other companies in Angola to form the Business Committee to Fight HIV/AIDS in November 2005. Since the CEC was officially launched, over a dozen companies have joined this effort. USAID's contribution to the CEC will include support for the adaptation and dissemination of training and educational materials, as well as technical assistance for the training of workshop personnel and other aspects of a successful workforce awareness program. USAID will also offer its ability to draw on experiences from other countries and regions.
