The idea of AIDS Competence
Here is our defintion of AIDS Competence.
When individuals, families and communities openly acknowledge that HIV/AIDS is a matter that concerns them, they act to prevent its effects, and mobilise in their environment the support they need to maintain the quality of their lives.
In an AIDS Competent society, we - as people in families, in communities, in organisations and in policy making - act from strength:
- to acknowledge the reality of HIV and AIDS,
- to build our capacity to respond,
- to reduce our vulnerability and risk,
- to allow everyone to live out their full potential, and
- to share our experience with others