Humantry news from Aids Campaign ILO, UNAIDS & THE FRENCH EMBASSY IN INDIA Join hands to “Respond to HIV/ AIDS in the workplace”

AIDS campaign: UNAIDS, ILO and the French Embassy in India join hands to ’Respond to HIV/AIDS’ in the workplace New Delhi, 27th June 2007 Aids Campaign ILO, UNAIDS & THE FRENCH EMBASSY IN INDIA Join hands to “Respond to HIV/ AIDS in the workplace” The Embassy of France in India, in collaboration with UNAIDS and ILO, organized the second part of its “Response to HIV/AIDS at the workplace” information campaign. Acting on the conclusions of the first session held in April 2007, the ‘Master Trainers of Organization’ workshop sensitised and trained employees deputed from various French organizations and Indian media companies, on the AIDS issue. Dr. Denis Broun inaugurates the seminar (L to R) Ms benedicte Meyssan, Media and Communication Attache, French Embassy, Dr. Denis Broun, Country Coordinator, UNAIDS and Mr Afsar, AIDS technical specialist, ILO inaugurate the two day workshop on AIDS. Trainers’ kits and material were placed at the disposal of the participants so that they may, in turn, train their colleagues in their respective organizations. On this occasion, the French Ambassador, Mr Dominique Girard gave a valedictory speech The text of the speech is reproduced below: Quote Ms. Leyla Tegmo-Reddy, (Director, ILO) Mr. Yannick Poupon (General Manager, Taj Hotels) The Parikrama band, Participants from the French organisations, Members of the press and media, I would like to begin by thanking all of you for your presence at the ‘Master Trainers of Organizations’ workshop, today. As you know, some time back – on 19th April to be precise – I, as the French Ambassador took the initiative to hold the first information meeting on HIV/AIDS for the French Companies in India. Acting on the conclusions of this first session, the Embassy of France in India decided to hold a workshop entitled ‘Responding to HIV/AIDS in the workplace’, in collaboration with UNAIDS, ILO and Taj Hotels. There are more than 400 French organisations in India , employing over one lakh Indians. A tripartite response Mr. Mohd.Afsar, technical Specialist AIDS, ILO, Mrs. Leyla Tegmo-Reddy, Director, ILO and H.E Mr Dominique Girard, Ambassador of France adress the closing session of the ’Response to AIDS at the workplace’ seminar As you are aware, France’s involvement in the combat against AIDS goes back to quite a few years. To begin with, the French scientist Luc Montagnier of the Pasteur Institute had first discovered, in 1983, the virus which would come to be known as HIV. Since then till now, we have been active in trying to address this issue not only in France but also in other countries. Promoting awareness is the most important step that we can take, given the unique nature of the AIDS disease. Thus, the French Embassy’s information campaign is a continuation of France’s commitment to fight HIV/AIDS. The “Master Trainers of Organizations” workshop is a concrete follow-up of the first information campaign. ILO has conceived this workshop to place this crucial tool – information – at your disposal, and elaborated how it can be used effectively to train your colleagues at the workplace. It is now up to you – each one of you who are representing your organizations – to take the next step. Simar Preet speaks about her experiences after undergoiung the two day Masters training session I am particularly glad to see that many French companies such as Sanofi Pasteur, Degremont, Air Liquide , BNP Paribas, Societé Generale, SUEZ, Total etc along with companies represented by French expatriates such as Taj Hotels and Nestle and some friends from the media like the Dr. Rajarshi Bhattacharjee, M.D (General Physician), Times of India group Dr. Rajarshi Bhattacharjee spoke in details about the relevance for basic AIDS awareness at the workplace Times of India (who have deputed a doctor), the Tribune and freelance columnists such as Ms. Ameeta Sharma have felt concerned by this issue and attended the two-day workshop in order to be better equipped with information and further train their colleagues in their respective organisations. I know that you attended this training as part of your interest in the subject, but I am convinced that you could share many real-life emotions as Navin Kumar from the Delhi Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS shared the various social stigmas that he faces in daily life. Parikrama joins hands in the fight against AIDS (L to R) Mr Subir Malik, band leader, Parikrama and Mr Nitin malik, vocalist, Parikrama hand over the certificate to a Taj Hotel participant I would also like to thank Parikrama band leader Subir Malik, vocalist Nitin Malik, who have just returned from their UK tour but managed to attend today’s closing session, as a mark of their support to this initiative of the French Embassy of combatting AIDS at the workplace. You will have the opportunity to receive your participation certificates from your favourite rock stars, soon. Mr. Yannick Poupon, General Manager Taj Group of Hotels The Taj Group of Hotels had deputed several Heads of Departments to attend the session on responding to HIV/AIDS at the workplace. The venue for the meet - Villa Medici was courtsey the Taj Hotels I would like to thank all the media persons, present today who will help us in spreading this message further and last – needless to say, certainly not the least – Mr. Yannick Poupon for having graciously placed the Villa Medici at our disposal for conducting this seminar. If you wish to get more details and interact with us on this AIDS information campaign, just subscribe to our E-magazine, Rendez-Vous on www.frenchemag.com. Unquote During this two-day workshop (28-29th June), participants were familiarized with the extent of the HIV/AIDS situation in the country through quizzes, brainstorming sessions and sharing the perspective of a person living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV/AIDS). Practical information regarding the recognition of the symptoms of the disease, STI treatment facilities, and enhancement of inter-personal skills for greater effectiveness of the participants’ Health Education sessions at the workplace were provided. A certificate, jointly issued by the ILO, UNAIDS and the Embassy of France was handed over to the participants by Mr Subir Malik. Lending support to the cause, Mr Subir Malik, said ‘Parikrama was the first Indian rock band to do an AIDS awareness programme in 1992 and I am glad to associate with this initiative of combatting AIDS at the workplace” For further information, please contact the Press Section at 24196137/31/ 33

	Home | Embassy News | Citizen Services | Visas | Contact us | Site index| Disclamer | Webmaster French Embassy in India