MilMed Jan Feb 2007.qxp - SA Military Health Service

efore World AIDS Day - and during the whole of thefollowing week more and more events are taking place,involving stakeholders from all over the world, so it hasbecome a very important day in annual calendar.The Vision of WADIt is a vision of a world campaign built on the experienceand passion of those most affected, a campaign that alsobrings together a broad range of partners in the GlobalNorth and South, East and West. It is believed that this visionof a global movement will bring renewed impetus andresolve to the fight against the epidemic. It is furtherbelieved that the "business as usual" approach to HIV andAIDS and campaigning is a thing of the past. It is hoped thatmany more partners will join the response, more money willbe allocated and existing efforts be redoubled. This willrequire a strong international campaign, bringing theenergy and innovation of civil society into the centre of theresponse.The Aim of WADThe aim of WAD is to bring to people's attention theworldwide challenges and consequences of the epidemic, inorder to prevent the spread of HIV and improve the lives ofpeople living with the virus. Each year, the campaign seesan opportunity for organisations throughout the world tohighlight different aspects of the HIV pandemic in order toraise awareness and bring about change.The objectives of WAD 2006The following were identified as objectives to be achievedglobally by the WAD 2006 campaign.* Enhanced accountability from political leaders on theirpromises on AIDS.* Supporting a broad movement of civil societyorganisations campaigning to develop their sense of jointidentity and common purpose.* Generating a greater public awareness of, andengagement with, the problem of AIDS worldwide.The WAD 2006 ThemeThe theme for WAD 2006 of “Accountability: Stop AIDS -Keep the Promise” was developed by the WAD campaignsupport team in the London HIV and AIDS Campaigningand Advocacy meeting of February 2005. It came up in thediscussions as 2006 is an important year in the AIDSresponse.2006 marks the 10 years of UNAIDS and the 25 years ofHIV and AIDS. 2006 is a year of looking back to learn fromthe past and looking forward to see how to plan andstrategise further on issues like universal access toAntiretroviral Treatment (ART).A number of key events have also taken place in 2006,including the High Level Meeting on AIDS held by the UN inNew York in June 2006, which was the five-year review ofthe Declaration of Commitment on AIDS (2001); the fiveyearreview of the Abuja Declaration in Africa; the TorontoAIDS Conference; and on the 14 November 2006 it wasfive years since the Doha declaration was signed on accessto generic drugs. So having these important moments in theyear 2006 made it the right time to focus on accountability.However, our work does not stop here. Throughout the yearthe World AIDS Campaign works to connect and strengthencampaigning voices across the globe. The DOD thereforeencourages it’s Regional Program Managers (HIV/AIDSNodal Points) to utilise all opportunities to strengthen theircampaign voices, for example HIV and AIDS activities areincluded in Youth Day Celebrations, Womens DayCelebrations, the Health Month, Condom Week, etc.The Future of WAD“Stop AIDS - Keep the Promise” is a tagline that will be keptat least until the end of 2010, because of the Declaration ofCommitment targets as well as the Universal Accesscommitments for 2010. One of the calls for WAD 2006 wasthus for universal access to treatment and HIV services in theWorkplace by 2010.Concluding RemarksIt is imperative that we do not feel too comfortable aboutour progress. It's still too little and for so many that havedied, already too late. That is the pressure on us all - to findthe fastest and most effective ways to get rid of thebottlenecks to universal access, increase people'sunderstanding about AIDS, and getting treatment andprevention programmes working hand in hand, side by side.Prevention and treatment efforts in the DOD cannot work inisolation - they cannot work without the full participationand involvement of all those concerned: men and women,young persons and children, and, most of all, people livingwith the HI virus. Such action is vital if we are to win the fightagainst AIDS and other diseases in the DOD. We need toensure that our commitment is turned into action. We needto hold our leaders accountable and to ensure that we‘Keep the Promise’. I look forward to hearing your strongvoices as we enter the next critical year in the fight againstHIV and AIDS.You, Me, Us - we can and must stop the spread of HIV andend stigmatisation, discrimination and prejudice.10