Canadian coalitions take on HIV/AIDS

Canadian coalitions take on  HIV/AIDS

Several of Canada’s international volunteer cooperation agencies (VCAs) are working with African partners in the HIV AIDS sector*. Canadian agencies play a support role, working with their partners to define the ways in which volunteers may work alongside partners. They move toward a shared goal: stronger organizations equipped to deliver quality services to HIV AIDS affected communities.

How can Canadian volunteers add value to the mix? What are the skills and actions that can make a difference? Where will this work fit into the partner’s long-term plan?  How will this help the country’s overall fight against HIV AIDS?VCAs and their partners identify the strengths, capacity-building needs, strategic issues and knowledge-sharing that are keys to effective service delivery in a given community or region. Then they bring people together to exchange and move forward.

In addition to supporting partners in the global south, some VCAs also reach out to Canadian AIDS service organizations, buildinglinkages with southern agencies. This results inpartnerships that are professionally enriching for both agencies in mutually supportive, long-term relationships. In this scenario, a VCA’s role is that of a catalyst, nurturing partnerships that can and do take on lives of their own.

VCAs also play a public engagement role in Canada, reaching communities and supporting their involvement in HIV AIDS awareness and fund-raising initiatives across the country.  Through participating in VCA-led actions in Canada and abroad, Canadians learn how they can play a role in stopping the spread of AIDS. Every action can make a difference.

It will take billions of dollars, a full range of human resources and long-term, courageous efforts at every level in every country to stop the spread of HIV AIDS. Canadian VCAs involved in this global effort must continue to think and act in ways that keep people in touch with the issues. They must continue tobuild opportunities to make a difference by linking thinkers, doers and learners to the critical issues surrounding HIV AIDS.

* Learn more by having a look at those website: cciorg.ca; wusc.ca; ceci.ca; oxfam.qc.ca; vsocanada.ca; and cuso.org.