[Program, International Conference on AIDS (12th: 1998: Geneva, Switzerland)]

I C A S 0
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF
AIDS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

The International Council of
AIDS Service Organisations 'ICASO'

ICASO

ICASO is the international network for
community-based AIDS organisations (CBOs)
whose mandate is to:
* promote and support the work of CBOs
around the world in the prevention of AIDS
and care and treatment for people living with
HIV/AIDS (PWAs), with particular emphasis
on strengthening the response in communities
with fewer resources and within affected
communities
* ICASO unites groups throughout the world
who have been affected by the HIV/AIDS
epidemic. ICASO's recognition and respect
for the human rights of all persons is central to
an intelligent public health strategy to combat
the AIDS epidemic.
* The ICASO network is an interactive global
focus point in the international HIV/AIDS
world, gathering and disseminating
information and analysis on key issues,
coordinating the development of CBO/NGO
positions on these issues, and working as
partners with key international agencies to
ensure that the concerns and interests of CBOs
and NGOs around the world are articulated
and represented at all levels.
ICASO is committed to:
* The central role of community-based
organisations within national programs and
policy formation;
* The right of each community-based
organisation to determine its own priorities,
methods of organisation, and programs, and to
have these choices respected by governments
and international agencies;
* The maximum involvement of women and
men living with HIV/AIDS in all aspects of
prevention, care, support, treatment, and
research;

* Recognition that there are diverse social and
cultural perspectives on HIV/AIDS, but these
should not override fundamental human rights
to respect individual dignity and protection
against political, social, and religious intolerance;
* Non-discrimination in all areas regarding HIV
status, gender, religion, race, sexual
orientation, sex-work, drug use, cultural, or
social status;
* Recognition that coercion, fear, and scapegoating are ineffective in dealing with the
challenge of the epidemic;
* The need for coordinated international programs to combat HIV/AIDS, involving a
partnership in which those who are living with
HIV/AIDS and community-based
organisations are equal partners with
governments and health professionals.
REGIONAL SECRETARIATS
ICASO is anchored by five Regional Secretariats
and coordinated through a Central Secretariat.
Please contact the Secretariat office in your region
for further information.
ICASO - Central Secretariat
400 - 100 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario
CANADA K1P 5B7
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Contact: Richard Burzynski at extension 126
AfriCASO - African Regional Secretariat
ENDA Tiers Monde
4, rue Kleber
B.P. 3370
Dakar SENEGAL
Tel: [phone] or 23.66.17
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Contact: Elhadj As Sy