James St. Catherine a Project Coordinator in The OECS defined advocacy as efforts to change the way society treats with an issue by calling attention to the plight of those affected, quantifying the impact on society and presenting options for change.

Advocacy is a key element in the fight against HIV and AIDS. It was because of advocates from all levels of society who brought significant attention to the problem and forced governments, pharmaceutical companies and even private organizations to pay more attention to HIV that we have managed to come this far.

Advocacy can come from any level in society. The key issue is that we know what we want, it is backed by evidence and we can articulate it. We have to have a vision for what we want and how we want that change to take place. At a time when HIV and AIDS is seeing an onslaught of funds from various sources many advocates seem to be going back into their corners. This is the time however when fighters of this cause need to be heard. Community workers who perform at a grass root level, need to advocate for programs that address the needs of the community, People Living With HIV are needed to advocate for continued care and treatment to advocate for policies and programs that would ensure that they are not stigmatized or discriminated against. Giving money is important but it is not enough. We advocate to change the perception of key policy and decision makers that HIV is not just a problem of one segment of people or people of a particular nationality, we need to change or heighten the response from other segments in our society such as churches and schools.

When we advocate or make noise for change there also needs to be the right or supportive policies and legislation to ensure that they are carried out, they are just and they respond to the human rights of individuals. In 2002 the PAN American Health Organization advocated with others for a reduction in the price of medication to ensure that all persons living with HIV could have treatment. In the TCI we were fortunate to benefit from these reduced prices and now can afford these drugs.

The hospice in Blue Hills was because of citizens advocating for the need to have a place to house those persons living with HIV and without a home or in need of a safe environment in which to live. Young people advocated at debates and through schools for programs that addressed their needs and so we have the Rapport Youth initiative.

There is still so much to do, so much to advocate for. From our end we have just trained 40 parents to work with other parents. We hope that this can be a form of community mobilization, parents urging other parents into action in their homes and in their schools. A few months ago we held a meeting with members of the religious fraternity. Our hope is that pastors will advocate for change within their community of church and followers. That they will be champions for change, that they will commit to a change in attitude towards People Living With HIV despite what ever route that led to their infection.

This year in continuing with the Stop AIDS Keep the Promise theme, we want to urge community action and support. Where are you in your community, activist, teacher, preacher, parent. Begin to advocate for the much needed change in perception of people living with HIV. So it is not seen as being 'their fault', advocate for parents involvement and communication with their children, see the need and advocate for a change. In the fight against AIDS everyone has a role to play.