Guiding Principles
Human rights, public health and development provide the overarching framework for the NGO Code of Good Practice. These principles are then applied in specific terms both to how we do our work and to what we do.
Core values: The motivation for, and commitment to, responding to HIV is underscored by core values that guide both what we do and how we work. At the centre of our work is our commitment to:
- valuing human life
- respecting the dignity of all people
- respecting diversity and promoting the equality of all people without distinction of any kind, such as sex, race, colour, age, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, physical or mental disability, health status (including HIV), sexual orientation or civil, political, social or other status
- preventing and eliminating human suffering
- supporting community values that encourage respect for others and a willingness to work together to find solutions, in the spirit of compassion and mutual support, and
- addressing social and economic inequities and fostering social justice.
These values are common to our work as NGOs in responding to HIV, whether we are HIV, health, development, human rights or humanitarian NGOs. Many of these same values also find expression in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Click here to download the Code's Guiding Principles in PDF format.
THE PRINCIPLES:
- We advocate for the meaningful involvement of PLHIV and affected communities in all aspects of the HIV response.
- We protect and promote human rights in our work.
- We apply public health principles within our work.
- We address the causes of vulnerability to HIV infection and the impacts of HIV.
- Our programmes are informed by evidence in order to respond to the needs of those most vulnerable to HIV and its consequences.