[Promotional materials, International Conference on AIDS (13th : 200 : Durban, South Africa)]

Corporate Leadership Statement THE GLOBAL
BUSINESS
We recognise the need for an active business response to the HIV/AIDS COUNCIL
epidemic. Business participation in meeting the challenges of the epidemic ON HIV&AIDS
will benefit employees, consumers, business partners and local communities
and contribute to global social and economic development. We support the
Global Business Council on HIV/AIDS and its efforts to encourage an effective
business response to the epidemic through a range of activities including:
1. HIV/AIDS - Employees
Employers can provide leadership to all employees by:
* clearly stating that HIV cannot be passed on by any work-based activity where normal health
and safety procedures are followed while providing accurate information on how the virus is
transmitted
* affirming that it is unacceptable to test for HIV status as a pre-requisite for employment or
continuing employment
* maintain confidentiality in relation to affected individuals
* treating discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS as a disciplinary matter
2. HIV/AIDS - Business Partners and Customers
Companies can:
* take the initiative to draw attention to the spread of HIV/AIDS
* use their own systems of communication to speak directly to customers about HIV/AIDS eg.
through:
i) articles in company publications
ii) mass media and advertising campaigns
iii) developing health education programmes and materials
3. HIV/AIDS - Local Communities and Employees' Families
Companies can:
* make their facilities available for community education and outreach
* provide support for local community-based HIV/AIDS initiatives in partnership with public
and non-profit sector organisations
* encourage employees and their families to be actively involved in community-based
programmes
4. HIV/AIDS - Wider Society
The business community can help reduce the effects of HIV on the wider society that supports
and sustains business through:
* adding its voice to the need for sustained HIV/AIDS prevention, care and research
programmes
* actively encouraging a wider range of business, large and small, to play a role in combating
the epidemic
* contributing to national and international public policy debates on HIV/AIDS including its
social and economic consequences
* philanthropic support to groups engaged in HIV/AIDS prevention and care.
Endorsed by: ALMS - American International Assurance - Bristol Myers Squibb - Casa Decor - Edelman Public Relations Worldwide
- Eskom - Get Paper Industry - Glaxo Welicome plc. - Godrej & Boyce - Industries Villares S.A. - Levi Strauss & Co. - Merck - MTV
Networks International - Polaroid - SSL International - Standard Chartered Bank - Tata Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. - Telepar - The Body
Shop International - The Regent Bangkok Hotel - Volkswagen do Brasil
July 2000