looking forward to the recognition of domestic and same-sex partnerships

As a result of staff advocacy for the recognition of domestic and same-sex partnerships the UNAIDS Administration is committed to championing this cause through the HR Network and Chief Executives Board mechanisms.

Last week UNAIDS Human Resources presented a paper at the HR Network in New York, USSA wants to share with you the outcomes of this presentation for such a change.

The presentation was positively received. General support was expressed for the principle of expanding the basis for recognition to allow for recognition based on location of the ceremony. To recognize a partnership on the basis of the country where it is contracted provides more options for members of staff if their home country does not allow same-sex partnerships. The paper also made suggestions that steps be taken to streamline the current verification process. Organizations flagged the need to consult with their legal departments before approving any such changes to expand the current rules. There are political and cost implications of such a change. UNAIDS volunteered to continue to take the lead on this initiative within the HR Network and it will be subject to further discussion at the next meeting. we congratulate Nancy Raphael and her team for the fantastic work in putting together and promoting such a great concept.

The Executive Director has given his full support to this initiative that we all expect to become a reality.

24th PCB in Geneva

USSA, UNAIDS Secretariat Staff Association presented its statement to the 24th Programme Coordinating Board of UNAIDS on the 24th June 2009.

The statement was well received and supported by member states as well as NGO delegates. The Staff Association is happy to see that its work is recognised by the UNAIDS Executive Director in both of his speeches, the opening  and closing one.

To read the statement of the staff Association, please clic on the following link USSA Statement to the 24th PCB (note that you will need to be logged on our website to access the document)

Your new Committee in serious deliberation

Wow! What a week!!

It was quite a baptism of fire for the newly elected committee members of the UNAIDS Staff Association. Being patted on the back by colleagues for our election success (we can all use the strokes) and we were straight into an intensive four-day meeting. The purpose of the meeting was primarily to plan ahead for the next 12 months to address the critical issues that affect UNAIDS staff members. In order to create the plan, we reviewed achievements from the last year, identified priority activities for 2009-2010, elected officers, met with management from the administration and of course met “face to face” with Michel.

One could be forgiven for thinking that such a tightly packed schedule, bringing together people from Brazilia to Myanmar may have been a bit too much. Well, it was certainly ambitious, but team spirit and character somehow got us through. One thing the committee is not short of, is character(s)…

I think I can say (without being too self-congratulatory), that the new committee members made a substantial contribution to a successful meeting: Alistair, ever good humoured yet wise to the dark arts of UN internal politics ; Jason, calmly and quietly insightful, always making me think ‘I wish I had thought of that…’; Souad gently but consistently advocating for the voice of “the forgotten region”, Sophie insisting on behalf of the field and making me wonder what the French for SSA is….

Thanks to all comittee members for organizing an excellent meeting, and especially to the USSA secretariat staff, Tanya and Cinzia. Thanks most importantly to UNAIDS staff members who have placed their faith in me and the rest of the committee to represent your views. As we have said before we are here for you. After such a well managed meeting, I am confident that your trust is well placed.

Looking forward to a busy and interesting time as a USSA committee member!!

Matthew

group photo with participants to the EECA Regional Management Meeting

Manuel Da Quinta, Chair of the UNAIDS Secretariat Staff Association, and Jason Sigurdson, member of the USSA Executive Committee, provided a brief presentation highlighting key advances made in 2008 and priority issues to be addressed in 2009.  In the interactive break-out session, Meeting participants noted their priority issues for the region, in four key areas: 1) training, learning and development; 2) staff empowerment and inclusiveness; 3) transparency in change and decision making ; 4) change management – motivation and anxiety.  (more…)

The same week as our annual Face to Face, the Staff Association was given the opportunity to present some conclusions of the retreat and present the new USSA Committee. (click on the play button to view the video).