As the peak national organisation for Australia’s community HIV response, AFAO (the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations) is recognised both globally and nationally for the leadership, policy expertise, coordination and support they provide.

Through advocacy, policy and health promotion, they champion awareness, understanding and proactivity around HIV prevention, education, support and research. AFAO provides a voice for communities affected by HIV and leads the national conversation on HIV.

In Australia, communities affected by HIV include gay and bisexual men, transgender people, sex workers, people who use drugs, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people who are living with HIV.

They advocate for a strong and bold vision to prevent HIV and its impacts, and work with governments, clinicians, researchers and community to achieve that vision.

They contribute internationally to the development of effective policy and program responses to HIV/AIDS at a global level, particularly in Asia and the Pacific.

For more than two decades, the AFAO International Program has implemented initiatives to strengthen civil society responses to HIV in Asia and the Pacific, with Australian Government support. From 2017, AFAO will
lead a two-year regional program focusing on sustainability, transition and financing for the HIV response. The SHIFT program is funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

VISION AND VALUES

AFAO’s vision is ‘Working together to end HIV transmission and reduce its impacts on communities in Australia, Asia and the Pacific.’.

Their values are:

respecting the dignity of all people
respecting and valuing diversity, and promoting the human rights and equality of all people
acknowledging the special place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first Australians and respecting their communities’ traditions, views and ways of life
empowerment of HIV-positive people and affected communities and supporting their ownership and self-determined control of the response to HIV/AIDS
protecting and promoting the human rights of all communities and populations affected by HIV
promoting and supporting harm reduction principles and the Ottawa Charter
recognising the social determinants of health
building and facilitating evidence-informed approaches to policy development, advocacy and health promotion
being accountable to the communities they are part of – which they work with, represent and serve.