Address by the President
"I would like to stress the fact that I strongly believe in the vital importance of the work carried-out by SIDA-ENTREPRISES.
Fighting the AIDS epidemic requires strong commitment as well as determination on behalf of all enterprises. This means, first and foremost, the commitment of decision-makers, of leaders and of shareholders. Their first responsibility lies in setting goals and in providing the human and budgetary means to set-up programmes for fighting and monitoring the epidemic. This should be done with determination and clear-sightedness. Raising awareness about the devastating effects of the disease on the economic fabric of countries may only result in strongly motivating heads of enterprises to act.
The enterprise is a community with numerous linkages which have a bearing on social behaviour. In the workplace, men and women exchange information and experiences. New and strong ties based on trust are built when the enterprise commits to a well-adapted information policy. The men and women who are part of the enterprise need to have ownership of these issues, to share, to be committed and to overcome taboos.
Partners in the field of health-care, hospitals, doctors, the ARV supply-chain, should all be able to ensure the sustainability of health-care services over time. Alone, this could be complex and costly. Building partnerships helps to go forward. Public-private partnerships for these issues are thus a pre-requisite for success.
The enterprise is an effective and essential place for fighting AIDS.
We see evidence which supports this on a daily basis. Moreover, it is a « short route » whereby funds are well-invested. Beyond figures and independently of human factors, the economic interests of enterprises make it mandatory for leaders to implement, without delay, campaigns for sensitisation, for prevention and for providing treatment.
The activities carried-out by SIDA-ENTREPRISES in order to mobilize enterprises are based on the following pre-requisites:
·Strong commitment on behalf of leaders,
·Employee ownership of the programme for fighting AIDS in order to overcome taboos,
·Efficiency on behalf of enterprises in order to create a model for providing health-care and related funding."
Alain VIRY
President of SIDA-ENTREPRISES
