Press Release

The Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) today announced the inauguration of the Juanita Altenberg Award for Excellence.

Speaking to an audience of the Caribbean human rights activists in Trinidad, CVC Executive Director, Dr. Robert Carr detailed the back ground to this award by describing Juanita Altenberg as "a pioneer in the Caribbean region in HIV Advocacy, Care, Treatment and Prevention for communities both hard hit by the HIV epidemic and by social stigma and exclusion." He explained that in addition to serving as the Executive Director of Maxi Linder, one of the region's most respected leaders in services to most vulnerable populations especially sex workers, "Altneberg also served as the Founding Co Chair of the Board of the CVC which now names this award in her honour in order to celebrate her work".

Dr. Robert Carr, Executive Director of the CVC making the announcement

According to Carr, this Annual Award, will be made for excellence in HIV advocacy, care, treatment and/or prevention, and is to be awarded to a community advocate in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the rights-based response to HIV in the Caribbean.

Awardees will-

1. Have been working for at least five years in HIV advocacy, care, treatment or prevention for vulnerable population in the Caribbean
2. Be a member of a Civil society organization
3. Uphold CVC's core values of non-discrimination, social inclusion of vulnerable populations, elimination of discriminatory laws and policies that affect vulnerable populations, and recognition of the fundamental humanity of all people of the Caribbean, regardless of whether society sees them as outcasts.

Members of the audience seek clarification on the award.

In responding to the announcement Miriam Edwards, President of the Caribbean Sex Work Coalition stated "This is indeed a timely move. Mrs. Altenberg has been a champion of our rights for many years. I think that It is very fitting that she be honoured in this way"

Miriam Edwards takes the floor.

For Human Rights Lawyer, Joel Simpson, "This is a regional recognition of the fact that there are many unsung heroes at the forefront of HIV work in the region. On a yearly basis, the region will now be able to highlight their work and celebrate their achievements"

Joel Simpson endorses the CVC announcement

Nominations will be reviewed by the CVC Board of Directors with the support of Dr. Carol Jacobs.

The selected individual will be recognized and awarded on World AIDS Day each year starting on December 1,2009.