[Viva] FW: TU-AIDS: G8/G20 Universal Access Campaign on AIDS

Mon Mar 22 10:15:12 PDT 2010

apologies for any cross-postings

  _____  

From: Jennifer Slawich [mailto:jslawich at clc-ctc.ca] 
Sent: Saturday, March 20, 2010 9:42 AM
Subject: TU-AIDS: G8/G20 Universal Access Campaign on AIDS

G8/G20 Universal Access Campaign on AIDS

March 20, 2010 

Canadian/African trade unions launch international action

Trade union organizations in over 20 countries have contacted their Canadian
embassies to ask them to assist in an effort to ensure that the G8’s
commitment to Universal Access to HIV Prevention, Treatment, Care and
Support receives the attention it deserves when the leaders of the world’s
richest countries meet in Canada this June. 

They have also asked to meet with embassy officials of their country to
highlight the ILO’s Decent Work and the Jobs Pact as features that are
deemed essential for any national program to achieve Universal Access.

Thus far, the campaign has been taken up by trade unions in Africa, which
include: Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Core d’Ivoire,
Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra
Leone, South Africa, Tanzania and Togo. The effort grows out of a two-year
partnership agreement between the African regional organisation of the
International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) and the Canadian
Labour Congress (CLC).

Meanwhile, the CLC has informed the Canadian G8/G20 ‘Sherpa’ that it expects
activities by its international partners to spill-over into other countries
and regions, and has asked for his support in facilitating meetings with
Canadian Embassies at the national level in each case. (Note: ‘Sherpas’ are
the officers who prepare the documents to be adopted at the Summit, and the
CLC has made a commitment to keep the Canadian Sherpa informed of progress
during the trade union campaign.) 

Canadian-African Partnership mushrooms into world-wide campaign

The Canadian-African partnership was initially planned as a single “Week of
Action” (March 21 – 27, 2010) designed to focus on the importance of this
year’s G8 in the international trade union’s efforts to secure past promises
on Universal Access. However, the week will now serve to “kick-off” global
activities, and as such, has been re-branded as “Days of Action” leading up
to the preparatory meeting of Development Ministers of G8 countries that
will take place in Halifax, Canada, April 27-29, 2010. 

Since Canadian and African unions issued their call to action, a dramatic
surge in activity has left the organizers pleasantly surprised. The Global
Union Aids Programme (GUAP), for example, has invited members of its network
to join the campaign, making it a truly global effort. The International
Trade Unions Confederation (ITUC) has added further reinforcement to the
campaign by asking affiliates around the world to also contact their
Canadian Embassies with a similar message. 

Trade unions and Civil Society groups in Canada are set to add their voices
to the campaign next week, by announcing initiatives of their own, which
will include an online an petition and website. 

Coordinators are also likewise greeting recent announcements by UNAIDS and
communications from the World Health Organization (WHO) as adding impetus to
the Campaign. 

After the initial trade union announcement the UNAIDS Executive Michel
Sidibé called on the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to ensure that
the G8 delivers on its commitment to Universal Access. “As the host [of this
year’s G8 Summit]. Prime Minister Stephen Harper can set a bold agenda for
the summit”, said Sidibé. 
(See:
http://www.unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/Resources/FeatureStories/archive/20
10/20100228_Vancouver.asp)

Meanwhile, the WHO will soon release a report demonstrating why improvements
in the working conditions for health care workers is essential for realizing
universal access on HIV-AIDS prevention, treatment and care.

Campaign organizers encouraged by early signs of support

Trade unions in the Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, France, Senegal, South
Africa, Tanzania and Togo have already sent or delivered a letter to their
Canadian embassy, long before the actual campaign launch – a 

sure sign to organizers that the campaign and its message are resonating
with the rank and file in those countries. As well, unions in Europe, Latin
America and other regions have pledged that they will soon communicate with
the Canadian Embassies in their countries. 

Earlier this week, ITUC-Africa affiliates from 15 countries met in Accra,
Ghana along with local media to plan meetings with their Canadian Embassies.
They will follow-up each meeting with Canadian Ambassadors and local
officials with news conferences. 

At this meeting. ITUC-Africa General Secretary of the, Mr. Kwasi
Adu-Amankwah reaffirmed the importance that trade union attached to the
commitment G8 leaders made in 2005 when it adopted a position on Universal
Access to treatment, care and support. “We are all aware that the G8
countries have not delivered on this commitment; it is our responsibility to
now demand that they honour it,” he said.

For more information on the G8/G20 Universal Access Campaign on AIDS, or to
send your own letter to the Canadian Embassy in your country, please access
the Information Backgrounder in the following languages: 

English:
http://documents.clc-ctc.ca/international/HIV-G8-Backgrounder-EN.pdf
Français:
http://documents.clc-ctc.ca/international/HIV-G8-Backgrounder-FR.pdf
Español:
http://documents.clc-ctc.ca/international/HIV-G8-Backgrounder-SP.pdf

 <http://documents.clc-ctc.ca/international/HIV-G8-Backgrounder-SP.pdf> 

 <http://documents.clc-ctc.ca/international/HIV-G8-Backgrounder-SP.pdf> 

 <http://documents.clc-ctc.ca/international/HIV-G8-Backgrounder-SP.pdf> 

 <http://documents.clc-ctc.ca/international/HIV-G8-Backgrounder-EN.pdf> 
 <http://documents.clc-ctc.ca/international/HIV-G8-Backgrounder-EN.pdf> 

Jennifer Slawich
HIV/AIDS Campaign Coordinator
International Department, Canadian Labour Congress
Tel: (613) 521- 3400 Ext. 440
jslawich at clc-ctc.ca

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