As an official supporter of UNAIDS and the World AIDS Campaign, ICC's World Chambers Federation is marking World AIDS Day on 1 December by showcasing several chamber projects which support individuals and organizations in their efforts to combat the disease.

The number of people living with HIV continues to grow and official statistics indicate that there are now 39.5 million people living with HIV. HIV/AIDS has a major impact on the workplace and on economic development. In many of the most affected countries, chambers of commerce and industry have been at the forefront of efforts to deal with the epidemic, implementing programmes to assist their member companies and communities.

From workplace and community assistance initiatives to corporate advocacy; from national and local education efforts to best practices to support affected communities, chambers around the world are committed to the fight against HIV/AIDS.

World AIDS Day takes place each year on 1 December and the theme for 2006 is “accountability”.

More information on the World Aids Campaign can be found on the WCF website at:
http://www.iccwbo.org/wcf/id2820/index.html

Showcasing chamber projects

Bombay Chamber of Commerce (India)
As part of its continued commitment to social responsibility, the Bombay Chamber of Commerce initiated the “Workplace intervention for HIV/AIDS prevention and control” project. So far, the chamber has issued a highly successful manual on HIV/AIDS at the workplace and convened ten HIV/AIDS sensitization workshops for its members, following which nearly 20 companies have established HIV/AIDS awareness programmes. The chamber has also published a book entitled ‘Corporate response to AIDS: Policy guidelines’. 
Click here for more information
 
Durban Chamber of Commerce (South Africa)
The Durban Chamber of Commerce’s Durban Chamber Foundation provides companies with practical strategies to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS in the workplace. Through its "HIV/AIDS Desk for Business", the chamber offers codes of good practice, management training, employee assistance programmes and monthly workshops.
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Junior Chamber International (USA)
The US chapters of Junior Chamber International have set up the “Family AIDS network” to mobilize communities to provide effective solutions that support and enhance the lives of children and families living with HIV/AIDS. 
Click here for more information
 
Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC)
The Caribbean region has the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the world after sub-Saharan Africa. In October of 2005, CAIC organized the Pan Caribbean Executive Forum on HIV/AIDS, the first ever such meeting in the region, held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
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Zululand Chamber of Business Foundation (South Africa)
KwaZulu-Natal has the unfortunate distinction of being the province most severely affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Approximately 35%-40% of the population are HIV positive. Defined as a flagship programme of the Zululand Chamber of Business Foundation (ZCBF), Amangwe Village (AV) is a unique initiative with tremendous potential for replication globally.  It aims to provide a holistic system of prevention & care for adults & children, both infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
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Barbados Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Barbados)
The BCCI in conjunction with the Barbados Employers' Confederation and other PSO's have published a booklet on Dealing with AIDS in the Workplace; and a brochure on Non-Discrimination of HIV/AIDS infected Employees at the Workplace. The Chamber and the BEC have also collaborated in arranging annual seminars for the private sector on a number of issues relating to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and management at the workplace. In addition the Executive Director of the Chamber has been appointed a member of the National HIV/AIDS Commission established by the Government of Barbados to advise on HIV/AIDS programme in the country.
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The Asian Business Coalition on AIDS (Pan-Asian)
The Asian Business Coalition on AIDS (ABC on AIDS) is a regional partnership between companies that aim to prevent and control HIV/AIDS in the workplace and not-for-profit organizations that provide technical services on HIV/AIDS. Businesses can minimize the socio-economic costs of the AIDS epidemic by educating workforces, implementing non-discriminatory policies and partnering with the public sector and civil society to provide medical care to HIV-positive employees.
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Fédération des Entreprises du Congo (FEC)
The “FEC” is a cofounder of the National Coalition of Businesses known as the« Comite Interentreprises de Lutte contre le VIH/SIDA » (Inter-corporate committee for the fight against HIV/AIDS), CIELS as an acronym. The committee regroups various professional organizations of employers, employees and workers, public as well as mixed and private enterprises. Within the framework of activities, the project MAP of the World Bank received financing to inform 521 business leaders or their representatives in five provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo and to create internal political documents on the fight against HIV/AIDS. The project also provided training for 25 pairs of educators at the General Secretariat.
Click here for more information  (French)