The Swedish Workplace HIV and AIDS Programme (SWHAP) hosted its 14th annual conference on 4th and 5th October 2018 to showcase the best experiences since its establishment in 2004 and to highlight, share and celebrate successes achieved.

The two-day conference celebrates fourteen years of shared values through workplace wellness programmes. “It is very important that everyone who has been participating in the programme over the years is able to see the difference that their contributions have made,” comments SWHAP Programme Manager, Alessandra Cornale. “Normally, SWHAP presents an achievement award during the conference but this year we decided instead to recognise the achievements of all our valued partners and give deserving recognition for their hard work.”

The SWHAP model approach provides proactive and inclusive structured programmes specifically designed to cater to employee health requirements. The model brings together management, employees and trade unions to work as one to reach the goal of healthier employees, respectable workplaces and ultimately more productive companies.

SWHAP is instrumental in creating a narrative between employer and employee. “A key differentiating feature of the programme is that we encourage both employees and employers to attend our conferences and workshops,” explains Cornale. “The goal is to establish collaboration between management and employees to build trust and to identify needs as well as formulate and implement initiatives.”

SWHAP has been a driving force in establishing and supporting HIV and wellness initiatives at workplaces in Africa. Funded by the International Council of Swedish Industry (NIR) and the Swedish Industrial and Metalworkers’ Union (IF Metall), SWHAP works with companies by investing in transformative programmes to assist in creating a decent workplace.

The SWHAP programme supports local content through 166 initiative partners and 517 workplaces in eleven participating Sub Saharan African countries including South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Congo.

Cornale elaborates on the programme process; “SWHAP takes the initiative partner under its wing, co-funding the company 60% in the first year, 50% in the second year and 40% in the third year. From year four we encourage the companies to take ownership of the programme and to drive it forward through self-funding. In our role as a catalyst and inspirer, we undertake the journey with our partners assisting with capacity building and providing coaching, technical and financial support.”

According to Cornale, companies, realising the value of implementing the workplace programme and seeing the results in both the workforce and communities, are keen to continue with the initiative. SWHAP continues to build on the relationship with the companies, keeping them within their network and conducting different activities with them.

Cornale notes that this model has proved so successful that SWHAP is planning to roll it out to address other issues in Africa. “Numerous countries around the world are showing keen interest in our model and we are looking at launching new programmes on other continents like South America.”

In addition to presentations by key note speakers representing implementation partners and workshops, the 2018 conference brought a fun element in the form of industrial theatre which was used as a platform to raise delicate issues in an entertaining way.

Over the two days the workshops centred on sharing the value of supply chain and the mentorship programme as well as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The workshops provided the ideal opportunity for delegates to create dialogues and share their experiences peer to peer. Individuals were encouraged to think global and act local and brainstorm how they can contribute to the workplace as well as how to ensure that initiatives are sustainable. The workshops open up narratives on ways to support the seventeen SDGs that include no poverty, zero hunger, decent work, economic growth and reduced inequalities. European companies also had the opportunity to meet their counterparts in Africa.

One of the titles of the 2018 programme was the private sector’s response to HIV and AIDS. SWHAP is dedicated to strengthening and assisting the private sector, as a key role player, to develop the capacity to make a sustainable contribution to the workplace as well as within communities.

“Going forward we are looking at new ways to continue building our existing partnerships. Although we face many challenges, they spur us on in our quest to improve the workplace. We pledge our continued commitment in assisting companies to develop sustainable health, safety and wellness initiatives to the overall benefit of all employees and employers,” concludes Cornale.