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Our Guiding Principles
The ABDGN has 8 guiding principles that are the foundation though which our vision and mission will be achieved.
GIPA and MIPA: The network embraces the principles of GIPA (the Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS) and MIPA (the Meaningful Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS) into all aspects of the work it undertakes. We support and understand the rights and responsibilities of people living with HIV, including their right to self-determination and meaningful participation in decision-making processes that affect their lives. We endorse the MIPA Code of Good Practice that defines the involvement of PLHIV and affected communities as a specific expression of the right to active, free and meaningful participation in all aspects of the HIV/AIDS response. The Code recognizes that involving PLHIV and affected communities in the HIV response makes a powerful contribution to the pandemic by enabling individuals and communities to draw on their lived experiences; thus contributing to reducing stigma and discrimination and to increasing the effectiveness and appropriateness of the HIV/AIDS response.
Transparency and Accountability:The network is committed to ensuring the structure and function of the network, decision making processes, and utilization of resources are clear and transparent to network members. The network will regularly monitor and evaluate its activities against its vision, mission and guiding principles. Further, we will actively seek opportunities to share challenges and successes with stakeholders.
Anti-Oppression Framework:The network will work to eliminate the impacts of multiple structural and systemic sources of oppression based on race, gender, sexual orientation, faith, disability, age, legal status and other dimensions of difference that harm individual and community responses to HIV /AIDS for African and Black people in the Diaspora.
Social Justice : The network will incorporate a social justice philosophy to inform the work and activities of the network; utilizing practices and tools based on the promotion of human rights and social determinants of health. The interconnected influences of social, economic, political and environmental circumstances on HIV/AIDS for African and Black people living in the Diasporas are important realities this network will address.
Diversity and Inclusion : The network will support the involvement of diverse African and Black populations, allies and stakeholders that comprise the membership of the network; we are committed to fostering community-based shared understandings that value diversity through the use of language that is non-stigmatizing, respectful, and inclusive.
Capacity Building and Leadership Development: The network will use and support individual and community based models of capacity building and leadership development with organizations on the ground and regional hubs, thus ensuring sustainable growth for the future of the network.
Advocacy:The network will strategically advocate with, and on behalf of, African and Black people living in the Diasporas on a variety of issues including but not limited to the following: securing/ ensuring adequate financial and human resources; informed policy decision-making; scaling up prevention, treatment, care and support; and research involving communities represented by the network.
Overall Representation of Africans: The network will strive to ensure the accurate and positive representation of African and Black people in all of its communication, activities and planning processes. Images of African and Black people will be empowering and positive representations of our communities and lived experiences.
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