Pacific Islands Aids Foundation

In 2005, Commonwealth Heads of Government declared HIV a global and Commonwealth emergency. This is largely based on the fact that Commonwealth nations account for 30% of the world’s population, yet Commonwealth Nations account for 60% of global HIV cases. More recently the Commonwealth Foundation has asserted that HIV will be removed from it’s agenda. Although the HIV and Health assembly had an ambitious program it was lacking focus and often disorganized. Overall the HIV and Health assembly did not reflect the importance of HIV as a pressing issue among Commonwealth nations.

The Commonwealth People’s Forum takes place every two years to provide civil society organizations with an opportunity to debate and discuss key global issues and produce a statement that is delivered to Commonwealth governments. This year the forum took place from Nov 22nd -26th in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. There were 8 assemblies which were based on the following themes: Human Rights; Financial Crisis and Economic Development; Environment and Climate Change; Gender; HIV and AIDS and Health; Peace and Conflict; Deepening Democracy and Governance; and Creativity and Innovation. Dominica Bessie Abo of Anglicare Stop AIDS Papua New Guinea, and Maire Bopp and Hilary Gorman both of PIAF attended the forum and focused on the HIV and Health assembly.

A highlight of the HIV and Health assembly was the speech made by Stephen Lewis where he spoke out against proposed legislation in Uganda that threatens the rights of positive people and sexual minorities. He stated that it is not “homosexuality that spreads AIDS; it’s the culture that brutalizes gay men and forces them underground that spreads AIDS.” Maire also gave a presentation on women and HIV in the Pacific where she linked the importance of continued funding for HIV to the experiences of positive women in Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

During the closing plenary as the statement for governments was read out Maire and Dominica spoke out to emphasize key issues related to HIV and AIDS. Maire asserted the importance of HIV remaining on the Commonwealth agenda and Dominic emphasized the importance of working closely with other Commonwealth nations and the need to continue to promote universal access to treatment.

The forum also included “Learning Journeys” which gave the participants an opportunity to learn about the work of local organizations. Dominica, Maire, and Hilary visited Just Because Foundation, who with limited resources have managed to convert an abandoned hospital ward into children and family centered pediatric cancer ward. They also visited the Export Centre which provides arts and crafts training to women head of households. They were inspired by the work of these two organizations and thought of the many ways in which the concepts and ideas guiding these organizations could be applied to improve HIV and AIDS treatment, care, and support in the Pacific.

In 2005,  Commonwealth Heads of Government declared HIV a global and Commonwealth emergency. This is largely based on the fact that Commonwealth nations account for 30% of the world’s population, and yet account for 60% of global HIV cases. More recently the Commonwealth Foundation has asserted that HIV will be removed from it’s agenda. Although the HIV and Health assembly had an ambitious program it was lacking focus and was often disorganized. Overall the HIV and Health assembly did not reflect the importance of HIV as a pressing issue among Commonwealth nations.

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Effectiveness, engagement, advocacy, and the human rights of all Pacific people to enjoy healthy, discrimination-free lives, have received the full attention of the 22 civil society organisations and positive networks gathered in Suva, Fiji. The 3rd Alliance forum was reminded by guest of honour, Bougainville Parliamentarian Francesca Semoso that their greatest strength rests in solidarity and collaboration.

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