NASSCOM Foundation-USAID Conclave Brings
CEO's Together in Fight Against AIDS
October 19, 2006
MUMBAI – The U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID) today joined
India’s information technology industry in affirming
their commitment to play a leadership role in the
fight against HIV/AIDS. Chief Executive Officers of
leading Indian high technology companies
participated in an HIV/AIDS conclave at the Grand
Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai sponsored by the National
Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM)
Foundation with USAID technical support.
The objective of
the conclave is to galvanize Indian information
technology businesses to incorporate HIV/AIDS
policies into their workplaces and play an active
role in the overall fight against HIV/AIDS.
Workplace HIV/AIDS policies have been growing in
importance at workplaces around the world in recent
years, as more people are affected by the disease.
U.S. Consul
General in Mumbai Michael Owen addressed the
gathering and urged business leaders in the
information technology sector to make a strong
commitment to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic in India.
Referring to the joint statement on HIV/AIDS made by
U.S. President Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh last year, Owen said: “We are working in
cooperation with the Government of India to address
the challenges of HIV/AIDS in India. As a result of
the joint declaration between our two leaders, the
U.S. has worked with private sector and corporate
partners to launch the ‘Indo-U.S. Corporate Fund for
HIV/AIDS’ in India.”
Sujatha Rao, Director General of the National
AIDS Control Organization, encouraged the corporate
leaders present to adopt workplace intervention
programs on HIV/AIDS. Kiran Karnik, President of
NASSCOM; and Neeraj Bhargava, Chief Executive
Officer of WNS were present at the event.
Related Link: Read full text of the speech
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