NEW Resource for Private Sector Coordination in the Fight against AIDS

“HIV/AIDS Business Coalitions: Guidelines for Building Business Coalitions against HIV/AIDS,” a toolkit published by the World Bank Group in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, UNAIDS and CCA, provides practical, operational, timely and relevant guidance to companies and/or leaders in the private sector who want to combine forces in the fight against HIV/AIDS. It includes lessons learned and examples to those interested in forming or enhancing the effectiveness of a business coalition to fight HIV/AIDS. This toolkit can be used as a step-by-step guide or can be a reference when facing specific strategic or operational challenges.

Important to note is that this toolkit uses the term 'business coalition' throughout. It is recognized that similar and complementary roles can be played by other organizations, including chambers of commerce, trade unions, employer federations and other business associations. This toolkit is designed to assist any group of private sector representatives that is interested in acting against HIV/AIDS.

This toolkit is not intended to be a definitive or exhaustive document; rather its goal is to provide general guidelines, and it was developed as a living document since we continue to learn and gain experience every day. The partners involved and the national business coalitions fully intend to review the toolkit on an annual basis to incorporate new examples and more effective strategies in building support for private sector engagement in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The toolkit is in the final stages of review and the World Bank plans to officially launch the guide on December, 1 2004.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Ashbourne, Senior Coordinator of the World Bank’s Multi-Country AIDS Program at eashbourne@worldbank.org