As the primary Canadian source of information on HIV/AIDS and development, ICAD enables Canada to become one of the most effective and influential nations in contributing to the global response to the HIV and AIDS pandemic.
The Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD) is a registered Canadian charity based in Ottawa, Ontario representing a large coalition of over 100 Canadian HIV and AIDS organizations, international development non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, labour unions, and individuals. ICAD was founded in 1989 as a working group of the Canadian Council for International Cooperation (CCIC) with the mandate to bring together AIDS service organizations and international development organizations to address the HIV crisis at home and abroad.
ICAD helps Canadians contribute to international HIV work and encourages Canadian organizations to use the lessons learned from the global response that ICAD makes available, to improve prevention, care, treatment, and support services across diverse settings in Canada. ICAD provides leadership in reducing the global and domestic impact of the HIV and AIDS epidemic through improving public policy, providing information and analysis, and sharing lessons learned.
As the primary Canadian source of information on HIV and development, ICAD continues to:
- Provide leadership to Canadians in creating effective global and domestic policies and programs in response to HIV and AIDS;
- Facilitate communication and information sharing between individuals, ICAD members, government departments and UN organizations to improve the effectiveness of Canadian responses to the pandemic;
- Bolster capacity of Canadian AIDS service organizations, development partners, front-line agencies, researchers, and people who are living with and vulnerable to HIV and related co-morbidities through workshops, webinars, information resources, research and analysis;
- Create and facilitate multi-sectoral forums for open dialogue giving voice to the concerns, needs, priorities and successes of communities and civil society groups.
Our Mission
ICAD provides leadership in the response of Canadian international development organizations and Canadian HIV organizations in reducing the impact of the global HIV and AIDS epidemic.
Our Vision
ICAD’s vision is a world where the stigma, discrimination and inequities that drive HIV infection are eliminated and people living with or vulnerable to HIV infection are resourced and supported.
Our Mandate
ICAD pursues its mission through the following avenues:
- Improving public policy: ICAD conducts research and analysis, convenes stakeholders and provides expert advice to promote and enhance policy dialogue in Canada’s response to the global HIV epidemic.
- Providing information and analysis: ICAD develops and identifies educational tools and resource materials to help its members, the public, international development organizations, governmental and non-governmental bodies, and other stakeholder groups understand and act upon important issues in the global HIV epidemic and in Canada’s response.
- Sharing lessons learned: ICAD strengthens the capacity of various stakeholders, including its members and governments, to address the global HIV epidemic by sharing lessons learned on programs and partnerships.
Our Core Values
As with all progressive organizations working in the field of HIV and AIDS, ICAD is guided by the human development principles of human rights, gender equity and the greater involvement of people living with HIV (GIPA) and groups most vulnerable to HIV infection.
ICAD holds that a human rights approach to the HIV epidemic moves beyond a focus on the individual to address social, economic, and political factors that drive the epidemic, such as gender-based inequities, poverty, corruption and government inaction. A rights-based approach empowers affected individuals and communities, and challenges governments to justify their actions (or inaction) to the people they represent and, ultimately, to the global community.
ICAD is committed to promoting diversity, both internally and as an inherent value in its work and the work of its members. Promoting diversity requires a commitment to anti-discrimination and to take pro-active measures to overcome prejudice and celebrate inclusion.
A gender equity analysis means that programming takes into consideration gender roles and responsibilities, and women’s vulnerability to HIV because of systemic discrimination, sexual violence, economic, social and political inequities, and gender inequities. A gender-based approach acknowledges the need to engage men and boys in addressing gender inequities.
ICAD also views the HIV epidemic within the broader context of overall human development, and not solely as a medical or health issue. Vulnerability to HIV and its impact on an individual or community are closely associated with, and exacerbated by, the wider challenges to development such as poverty, food and livelihood insecurity, and gender inequity. A holistic approach to programming is needed in order to address the effects of the pandemic, particularly on marginalized communities.
ICAD’s constitution and bylaws stipulate that at least two Board positions be reserved for persons living with HIV. ICAD works closely with the ICAD membership to ensure that the priorities and concerns of people living with HIV are effectively considered and integrated into ICAD’s policies and decision-making processes. ICAD is an equal opportunity employer and actively recruits not only Board members but also staff and volunteers who are living with HIV.
