At the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on HIV/AIDS in June 2001, a Declaration of Commitment was adopted to guide a global response to HIV/AIDS for the next decade.

Endorsing the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment
Endorsing the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS means that AIDS Calgary agrees with and supports the overall thrust and aim of UNGASS. Our agency has been supported in this endorsement by the International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO).

By endorsing UNGASS, AIDS Calgary is able to show continued leadership and commitment to a global response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Click here to view the English Version of Canada’s In-Country
Monitoring and Evaluation Report on the Implementation of the
UNGASS Declaration of Commitment. Click here for the French Version.

UNGASS in Alberta Working Group

Click here to view Simply Using UNGASS, a document created by the Working Group to assist organizations in implementing UNGASS.

Canadian UNGASS Network

In an attempt to operationalize the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment in Canada, the Canadian UNGASS Network has been formed.  If you would like information and/or assistance with implementing UNGASS in your organization please contact one or more of the members.

Click here to view the list of individuals and organizations from across Canada who are forming a collective effort to work with UNGASS.

If you would like to join the UNGASS Network, please contact

Le-Ann Dolan, Community Developer at AIDS Calgary.

UNGASS in Action at AIDS Calgary
Currently AIDS Calgary is responding to the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment in the following areas:

1. Leadership - Encouraging and working toward the development of community based approaches and plans to address HIV/AIDS. AIDS Calgary is an active member of many coalitions and organizations on local, provincial and national levels. We are involved in international development work
   including twinning projects, internships and technical assistance missions.
   
2. Care Support and Treatment - AIDS Calgary is actively involved with the Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS. All staff are dedicated to program delivery and advocacy initiative
   for increased care, support and treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS.
   
3. HIV/AIDS and Human Rights - AIDS Calgary currently has a human rights worker addressing stigma and discrimination experienced by those living with HIV/AIDS.
   
4. Reducing Vulnerability - AIDS Calgary is working on specific initiatives targeting gender, youth, injection drug use, and aboriginal issues. We offer support and resources locally and around the world to reduce vulnerability of those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
   
5. Alleviating Social and Economic Impact - AIDS Calgary is involved in initiatives that address the determinants of health (i.e. poverty, housing, nutrition). We are currently seeking to build a volunteer base of lawyers that can help to address the legal aspects of HIV/AIDS (ie. workplace rights).
   
6. Research and Development - AIDS Calgary is driven by evidence based practice. We strive to share our community-based research findings across Canada and globally.
   
7. HIV/AIDS in Conflict and Disaster Affected Regions - In February 2003, we completed Phase I of an international Technical Assistance mission between AIDS Calgary and the Kosovo Ministry of Health. AIDS Calgary provided technical expertise on a 5-year strategic plan on HIV/AIDS awareness strategies.
   
8. Resources - AIDS Calgary is actively campaigning for an increase of resources to the Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS.
   
9. Follow-up - AIDS Calgary is committed to sharing the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment widely. We are currently developing an evaluation strategy to ensure our organization follows through on our commitment. This will also enable us to share our experiences. In November 2003, AIDS Calgary collaboratively launched the Canadian UNGASS Network.