AEGiS-PRn: Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS Announces the Creation of a New Best Practice AIDS Standard for Corporate AIDS Programs

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS Announces the Creation of a New Best Practice AIDS Standard for Corporate AIDS Programs

PRNewswire - November 29, 2005

NEW YORK, Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to growing demand from its 200 member companies, the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GBC) announced today the creation of the first measurement system for business and AIDS -- a new Best Practice AIDS Standard for corporate HIV/AIDS programs. The Best Practice AIDS Standard, part of GBC's Business and AIDS Methodology (BAM(TM)), represents the culmination of GBC's work over the last four years. It is designed as a benefit of membership to help companies develop programs that protect their workforce and supply chain and maximize the impact of their products, services and philanthropy on the global AIDS crisis.

"On a daily basis, our companies come to GBC to ask for our help in designing their response to AIDS," said Trevor Neilson, Executive Director of the GBC. "The Best Practice AIDS Standard is a self assessment tool that provides a framework for companies to internally analyze their AIDS response in relation to their competitors and companies in other sectors."

The Best Practice AIDS Standard (BPAS) tool is built upon experiences that companies have had in designing AIDS programs and global initiatives. There are ten primary components to the standard:

1. Non-discrimination

2. Prevention, Education and Behavior Change

3. Testing and Counseling

4. Care, Support and Treatment

5. Product and Service Donation

6. Corporate Philanthropy

7. Community and Government Partnerships

8. Business Associates and Supply Chain Engagement

9. Advocacy and Leadership

10. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

The BPAS tool will be an evolving practice model that requires ongoing consultation with GBC member companies. It will be regularly refined to reflect changes in corporate standards in the fight against AIDS.

Utilizing case studies from global corporate AIDS programs (http://www.businessfightsaids.org/casestudies) GBC identified the highly effective mechanisms that characterize best-practice company initiatives.

"This new standard will be a management tool that allows companies to better measure their work on AIDS against that of their competitors," said Neilson. "It is now expected that every multinational company in the world have a plan in place to stop AIDS in its workforce. More and more companies are realizing that they can gain a competitive advantage by using their products and services in innovative ways. A recent survey found that over 70 percent of American consumers expect large companies to play an 'active' role in the fight against AIDS, and companies are realizing that a progressive approach to AIDS increases profitability and shareholder value."

"Companies with operations or supply-chains in emerging markets in Africa, China or India should enact policies that meet the Best Practice AIDS Standard to protect their investments in those regions and maximize shareholder value," added Neilson.

GBC works with its members to meet the Best Practice AIDS Standard through the BAM, the first process specifically designed to help companies build a business plan for addressing AIDS in its workforce, core competencies, community programs, and public advocacy. GBC will work with any company who joins its membership to put in place a policy that meets the Best Practice AIDS Standard.

About the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GBC)

The Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS is the pre-eminent organization leading the business fight against HIV/AIDS. The rapidly expanding alliance of over 200 international companies is dedicated to combating the AIDS epidemic through the business sector's unique skills and expertise. GBC is the official focal point of the private sector to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. For more information, please visit the GBC Web site at http://www.businessfightsaids.org.

Contact:

John James

+1 212 698-2131 (New York) -- +1 646 515-3041 (Mobile)

jjames@businessfightsaids.org

SOURCE Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS

Web Site: http://www.businessfightsaids.org

http://www.businessfightsaids.org/casestudies

051129
PR051163

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