Few public health issues have been as socially stigmatized as HIV and AIDS.

In the last few decades as the world has responded to the challenge of the global epidemic, it has become clear that the fight against AIDS is a fight for human rights, dignity and respect.

OSISA is committed to addressing the issue of HIV and AIDS at all levels. As an employer OSISA provides a non-discriminatory environment in which all people, regardless of their sero-status are able to contribute towards the realization of the ideals of an Open Society. In its grant-making and advocacy work, OSISA supports the rights of people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS, particularly those who are socially marginalized in other ways, to participate fully in decisions that affect them.

VISION

A region whose citizens enjoy health and well-being and have full access to information, skills and services related to the full attainment of their health, including access to the information, commodities and services necessary to prevent, manage and treat HIV AND AIDS.

[see also General guidelines]

OSISA will endeavour to support initiatives that –

• Use methods and processes that are empowering and participatory

• Promote the active involvement of women, young people, people with disabilities and people living with HIV AND AIDS, as well as other vulnerable groups

• Are innovative and catalytic in nature

• Support and promote the ideals of an Open Society, especially the use of the media as a tool for monitoring, advocacy and awareness raising

• Promote the role and capacity of states to manage the HIV and AIDS response in a responsible and transparent manner, particularly education, health and institutions responsible for social security

• Promote greater transparency and accountability in HIV and AIDS funding and the administration of programmes

• Promote partnerships and coordination amongst CSOs and government

• Promote a mainstreaming approach.

Links to more HIV and AIDS resources:

• AEGIS
• AIDS and Africa
• Eldis/ HRC HIV and AIDS Resource Guide
• HIV Insite
• Irin PlusNews HIV/ AIDS page
• UNAIDS

For further information, e-mail: hiv.aids@osisa.org 

Thematically, OSISA’s work is organised into six main programmes and two cross-cutting areas of work.

Two building-block programmes:

• Education;
• Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

• Human Rights and Democracy Building (HRDB);
• Media.

• Economic Justice;
• HIV and AIDS.

• Gender and Women's Rights;
• Language Rights.

Monitoring and evaluation systems are in place to ensure that particular projects meet programme objectives, and that each programme conforms to OSISA's Key Result Areas.

VISION

A region whose citizens live above the line of poverty, where economic growth primarily serves human development needs such as household food security and access to health and education, and where there is a greater ability on the part of citizens to enjoy socio-economic rights.

MISSION

To contribute towards social organization in the countries of the region, for the purposes of advocating for, and monitoring, universal citizen access to socio-economic rights and human development needs.

Vision

A region in which everyone has access to education to learn the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed for life, where people are able to use what they have learnt to improve the quality of their life and make a positive contribution to their society; a region with an education that promotes values, institutions and practices of an open, civil and democratic society, a society based on the recognition that people have different views and interests, where people live together in harmony.

All people have a right to achieve the highest standards of health. This is only possible in societies that respect and promote access to information and full participation in all aspects of public life.

OSISA has traditionally supported a number of initiatives focused on HIV and AIDS, and the organization is committed to ensuring that HIV and AIDS issues are fully integrated into all areas of work. In April 2005, the OSISA HIV and AIDS programme began full operations.

The programme works to support civil society organisations involved in:

• advocacy to promote the implementation of HIV and AIDS policies and laws;
• monitoring resource flows and expenditures on HIV and AIDS, both nationally and internationally;
• promoting civil society engagement in policy and law making processes;
• promoting access to care, support and treatment for socially and geographically marginalised and vulnerable groups of people.

Programme Guidelines to follow...

For further information, e-mail: hiv.aids@osisa.org

The Human Rights & Democracy Building programme encompasses the following six areas:

1. Human Rights Monitoring & Advocacy
2. Action Research, Civic education & Training
3. Equality, Equity & Non-Discrimination
4. Political Participation
5. Legal Development & Litigation
6. Public Service & Accountability

VISION

A region whereby citizens live equitably, free from poverty and the suffocating grip of underdevelopment and the control of information. A region where adequate access to information for development is secured by ensuring appropriate access for civil society to effectively participate in the Global Information Society (GIS).

Vision

A society that cherishes the promotion, use and development of indigenous (African) languages.

Mission

To protect and promote the use of indigenous languages, thereby enhancing Southern Africans' effective participation in all spheres of life.

Background

The current Language Rights fellowship is a result of a previous 18-month fellowship initiated in 2001 to provide guidance in the design of a meaningful contribution to regional efforts aimed at promoting the use of indigenous languages and multilingualism. The 2001 fellowship included a situation analysis of the extent of usage and the promotion of indigenous languages in the region, and made recommendations regarding the most meaningful contributions that OSISA could make.