bigupz and respect to those out there making a difference

Tomorrow is World Aids Day, and sadly the debate has not progressed into a more progressive space, it's still fraught with antagonism and divergence, with much of it focused on re-education.

The last workshop that I attended focused on how to deal with the psychological effects of HIV/Aids, from prejudice to routes of assistance for the individual and their families. It was very constructive and very rewarding, to the extent that the disease wasn't seen as a series of statistics with grave economic consequences but rather as a difficult 'real' personal struggle.

Don't get me wrong, prevention is important, funding is important, a central message is important, caring is important, strategic thinking is important but collective societal leveraging is very important because it enables us to continue to chisel away at all that is important.

So what about big-bad-oil-and-gas? Well it is particularly pleasing to mention that in this regard, their programme is one of the better corporate programmes out there and it has been for a long time, here is an email from within continuing to show a commitment to this serious issue:

Dear Colleagues

On 1 December, BP will join the world in commemorating World AIDS day. The theme this year is Accountability, a continuation of last year's theme - Stop AIDS. Keep the promise. We invite all employees to observe a minute of silence at 12 noon on1 December in remembrance of all the people who have died because of HIV/AIDS-related illnesses, those infected and those affected by the disease.

We also urge you to take action by going beyond commemorating AIDS Day and taking personal responsibility and accountability for the fight against AIDS. You can do this by making sure you know your status and protecting yourself from becoming HIV/AIDS infected, caring for children/families who are infected/affected by HIV/AIDS, talking to your children, colleagues and families about HIV/AIDS and building a climate of trust and acceptance.

In its 2006 report, UNAIDS is appealing to governments and policy makers to meet the agreed targets in the fight against HIV and AIDS. In the report an appeal was also made to create an environment where people infected with HIV can live positively without being stigmatised, discriminated against and labeled.

More information on the company's HIV/AIDS programme, as well as voluntary testing and counselling, can be found on the Wellness website: http://safrica.bpweb.bp.com/wellness_matters/

Kind regards

Wellness Team

ps remember to say white rabbit on the 1st and to show your support by donning the ribbon.