Vision

Statement

HIV West Yellowhead has formally adopted the United Nations Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS (S-26/2), providing us with a framework for an internationally unified response for the future.

We recognize and express our appreciation to those who have led the effort to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and to deal with its complex challenges;
We look forward to strong leadership by Governments, and concerted efforts with full and active participation of civil society, the business community and private sector;
And finally, we call on all members of Hivwestyellowhead to take the necessary steps to implement our vision, in strengthened partnership and cooperation with others.

HIV West Yellowhead is:

Deeply concerned that the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, through its devastating scale and impact, constitutes a global emergency and one of the most formidable challenges to human life and dignity, as well as to the effective enjoyment of human rights, which undermines social and economic development throughout the world and affects all levels of society — national, community, family and individual;

Convinced of the need to have an urgent, coordinated and sustained response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which will build on experience and lessons learned;

Noting with grave concern that all people, rich and poor, without distinction as to age, gender or race are affect by the HIV/AIDS epidemic;

Recognizing that poverty, underdevelopment and illiteracy are among the principal contributing factors to the spread of HIV/AIDS and noting with grave concern that HIV/AIDS is compounding poverty;

Noting further that stigma, silence, discrimination, and denial, as well as lack of confidentiality, undermine prevention, care and treatment efforts and increase the impact of the epidemic on individuals, families, communities and nations and must also be addressed;

Acknowledging that prevention of HIV infection must be the mainstay of our response to the epidemic;

Noting with concern that some negative economic, social, cultural, political, financial and legal factors are hampering awareness, education, prevention, care, treatment and support efforts;
Noting the importance of establishing and strengthening human resources and national health and social infrastructures as imperatives for the effective delivery of prevention, treatment, care and support services;
Recognizing that effective prevention, care and treatment strategies will require behavioral changes and increased availability of and non-discriminatory access to, inter alias, vaccines, condoms, microbicides, lubricants, sterile injecting equipment, drugs including anti-retro viral therapy, diagnostics and related technologies as well as increased research and development;
Affirming the key role played by the family in prevention, care, support and treatment of persons affected and infected by HIV/AIDS, bearing in mind that in different cultural, social and political systems various forms of the family exist;

Acknowledging the particular role and significant contribution of people living with HIV/AIDS, young people and civil society actors in addressing the problem of HIV/AIDS in all its aspects and recognizing that their full involvement and participation in design, planning, implementation and evaluation of programs is crucial to the development of effective responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Belief

Statement:

We believe that by promoting positive, healthy lifestyles and by providing accurate information for informed decision making regarding sexuality, relationships and disease prevention, that we have a sound comprehensive approach to the AIDS issue.

Mission

Statement:

The HIV West Yellowhead Society will:

1. Encourage a positive, healthy lifestyle and to provide accurate information to the people living and working in the region
2. Provide accurate information to resident’s health care providers, educators, the region and other business professionals.
3. Assist in reducing the spread of HIV and to work with the region to enhance the lives of those who are HIV positive.