The concept of partnerships between different sections of society to address a common issue is a significant one. E.g., businesses possess organisational structures and other corporate resources (funds, management skills and human resources) that can easily be adopted for public purposes. Where there is a common interest - such as preventing further spread of HIV - public-private partnerships are able to fill gaps in public resources.

The existence of "Business Coalitions on AIDS" worldwide is a true example of the partnership concept. Instead of adding a new administrative structure to the existing range of government and non-governmental institutions, these coalitions bring together, and complement resources by making use of existing corporate structures. The result is a network of resources, including administrative systems, know-how and corporate funds that are being exploited intelligently for one common goal. An existing public or private organisation usually acts as the network's secretariat centre (see Figure 1).

There are two conditions that define the degree of success of a partnership. Firstly, common focus and exertion can only be attained if common interests exist. The creation of a "win-win" situation is therefore essential. Secondly, partnerships that combine different expertise are especially effective when approaching a multidimensional problem, such as AIDS.

The Asian Business Coalition on AIDS

The strategy of the Asian Business Coalition on AIDS ("ABC on AIDS") illustrates the partnership concept. ABC on AIDS is a public-private partnership of ten Asian countries (see Figure 2) to coordinate and expand business activities towards HIV/AIDS. Its mission is to link together organisational resources both "in-country" and "inter-country", within and between businesses at all levels, in order to prevent further HIV spreading and ensure non-discriminatory treatment of HIV positive staff. Two strategies have been developed to facilitate networking between individual partners. The first strategy may be referred to as "working apart together": each partner develops locally-adapted strategies within a country's existing business administrative structures and applies the corporate resources in the fight against AIDS. The second strategy is to manage information exchange on all levels of the network. This is especially important, as public private partnerships are susceptible to problems of misunderstanding arising from conflicting interests. The second strategy is implemented by the use of information technology. A website (www.abconaids.org) has been developed to coordinate strategic planning on a coalition level and to provide partners such as business managers, with direct access to information resources. Each partner country has its own section with HIV/AIDS information of national relevance. Topics include management of HIV/AIDS in the workplace, HIV/AIDS business-policy development, workplace education, HIV testing, national HIV/AIDS business response programmes, best practices etc.

As businesses re-evaluate the larger role they play in the functioning of societies, HIV/AIDS becomes a more prominent issue on the corporate agenda. In reaction to this, governments and NGOs have started to acknowledge the importance of creating common values in the fight against AIDS when working together with businesses. They realise public-private partnerships can only be successful if all parties understand its mutual interest.