Acknowledgement and Recognition

Vision of level 5:

HIV/AIDS is an issue that affects us all. Together, we share concerns and hopes. We are honest to ourselves and our community and face the good and less good issues together. We naturally and openly discuss HIV/ AIDS as a normal disease, as well as our vulnerabilities, without taboo or prejudice. Our response to AIDS is part of our daily life. We know our own status and act from strength. There is no need for people to disclose their status because everyone shares the same knowledge and responsibility.

List of Common Principles:

• If we involve religious and other leaders in the discussion then traditions and policies can be revisited
  
• If we discuss the issue of HIV as a couple, with family or friends, or as a community, then we can acknowledge that HIV concerns us all and we can address it
  
• If we share accurate, timely information in our community then we can have the knowledge and courtage to act to prevent the spread of HIV
  
• When communities accept the spread of HIV is their issue, they will take steps to prevent it and care for those affected
  
• When we met people living with HIV on a human level,it helps us understand that HIV affects us all
  
• If we tap into the culture of people they will apply what they know already
• If we accept ourselves and our situation,then we can accept and support other more readily
  

Common Principles	Experiences to illustrate	Blog	Video	Resources
If we involve religious and other leaders in the discussions then traditions and policies can be revisited	A young man in Dioila, Mali was relieved by the village council from his duty to marry the widow of his brother who died of AIDS; now the family takes care of the widow Sangare Alfouseyni
	"PHA can work in Surabaya company without worry to be fired" After conversations with the management companies in Surabaya, Indonesia, started changing their policies. Now the workplace is HIV/AIDS friendly, before a PHA would be fired. Andryansyah Arifin	Read the story
	Monk becomes leader in AIDS prevention in Thailand Suriyon Soogkum
	"Muslim leaders now care about HIV/AIDS in Merauke" A couple of years ago Muslim communities in Merauke, Indonesia, were in denial of HIV/AIDS. Deceased did not receive the traditional washing ceremony - out of fear. Now that Muslim leaders are involved in the response, the AIDS dead get a proper washing and funeral. Henny Astuti Suparm
If we discuss the issue of HIV as a couple, with family or friends, or as a community, then we can acknowledge that HIV concerns us all and we can address it.	"HIV is everybody's business in Pakistan" When Plan Pakistan wanted to start an HIV programme, they faced a lot of resistance from the village. Only after open discussions about HIV and AIDS, its causes and implications, the villagers started to collaborate. Dr.Irfan Ahmed
If we share accurate, timely information in our community then we can have the knowledge and courtage to act to prevent the spread of HIV	"When Harry's friend got HIV, life did not stop" When Harry's friend in Jakarta heard he was HIV positive he was cared for by a group of friends and counsellors. As a result, his life did not stop, but he is now working as counsellor himself, bringing many new people in this positive role. Harry Kurniawan	Read the story	Play the video
	"Khun Samran is a Friend for Life in Chiang Mai" "When some-one needs it I will talk and talk with him, I will spend the scary nights with them at their own until they can hold on to their dream", says Khun Samran from the Violet Home during a SALT visit by a group of Participants from the Knowledge Fair in February 2009	Read the story
When communities accept the spread of HIV is their issue, they will take steps to prevent it and care for those affected	"Muslim communities in Southern Thailand" Rawsedee Lert-Ariya
	How 'Hmong' save the 'Hmong' Pichan Jinapook
When we met people living with HIV on a human level,it helps us understand that HIV affects us all	"I refused tea from HIV+ person" Sandeep from New Dehli got coincidentally involved in HIV/AIDS work. When his team first brought a home visit to an HIV+ he was scared to drink his tea. "I first had to overcome my own fear and come to terms with myself before I could start accepting others", tells Sandeep Sandeep		Play the video
	"Together, we can make difference" Phattaraphong Ilamham
	"Colorful Friendship Added Value to My Life" Gina from Pontianak, Indonesia, had to overcome quite some prejudices in her self and her family to accept all the new people that came in her life. Gyna Lydiana	Read the story
If we tap into the culture of people they will apply what they know already	Condoms are hip at Bangkok University To convince students, who are very well aware of HIV/AIDS, to use condoms - we are branding them as something really 'hip' at the University in Bangkok. We use channels that are popular with students: glossy magazines and the favorite radio station to get our messages across. [Pratchawin Somsak]
	"It is cool to be virgin in East Jakarta" In Muslim East-Jakarta condoms cannot be promoted easily among youth. That's why the Red Cross team started a progress to make virginity more popular Dewi Rahmadania
If we accept ourselves and our situation,then we can accept and support other more readily	"Colorful Friendship Added Value to My Life" Gina from Pontianak, Indonesia, had to overcome quite some prejudices in her self and her family to accept all the new people that came in her life. Gyna Lydiana	Read the story
	"Look, now we are the national winner!" When Ozzy from the Philippines was tested positive, his life got a new beginning. Now, he won a price for AIDS response in his country. Ozzy Guanzon	Read the story
	"The power of transgender in Jakarta" Transgenders need support and information. In Jakarta they handle the problems together as a community. Lulu	Read the story
	"Together, we can make difference" Phattaraphong Ilamham