In August 2009, Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GBC) launched a project with Russian Railways to disseminate knowledge about HIV prevention among the Russian Railways’ young specialists and families of employees. The project created an opportunity for the Russian Railways’ employees and their family members to participate in the educational trainings of the HEALTH@WORK Program during vacation at the corporate Retreat Center by the Black Sea.

Russian Railways is mobilizing its young specialists and inviting them to participate in the Russian Railways youth project “3D Network: Doroga, Dom, Druzia” (road, home, friends). Project allows young specialists of the Russian Railways or employees’ family members from many cities across Russia including Moscow, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Abakan, Chita, Ulan-Ude, Chelyabinsk, Irkutsk, Kazan and others, to enjoy a special vacation by the Black Sea and opportunity to get to know other people working for Russian Railways. Young people have time to both to rest and have fun as well as learn new skills and participat in development and promotion of a social project. In the framework of 3D Network HEALTH@WORK specialists were invited to conduct trainings on HIV and alcohol abuse prevention.

Each group of 3D Network participants in August had a chance to go through HIV prevention trainings. Those young people who decided to get more involved in disseminating this knowledge among their colleagues came to the special training of trainers. They received CD’s and booklets with supportive materials to aid their future efforts in spreading vital knowledge about HIV/AIDS. HEALTH@WORK specialists also presented alcohol prevention module for 3D Network participants.

As a result joint project between GBC and Russian Railways 7 HIV prevention and 2 alcohol prevention trainings were conducted as well as 2 trainings for trainers on HIV prevention. Approximately 250 young specialists and employee family members of Russian Railways participated in the project.

About HEALTH@WORK

The HEALTH@WORK Employee Education Program — Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GBC) initiative — helps companies raise awareness among employees, safeguard their health, and reduce the economic losses caused by HIV/AIDS, alcohol and drug abuse, and other preventable diseases. The program, which builds on internationally accepted workplace standards for health education, non-discrimination and prevention, includes specialized seminars for workers, medical staff and human resource managers. GBC experts also provide professional consulting services to help company executives develop corporate policies and health education strategies that reflect the company’s unique corporate values and maximize the use of program resources.

About Russian Railways

Russian Railways is a 100% government-owned rail monopoly with full state backing & guarantee. It accounts for over 3.6% of Russia’s GDP and handles around 80% of all transportation in Russia. Russian Railways handles 40% of all freight in Russia by turnover and over 41% of passenger rail transport. It handles about 83% of all freight in Russia (excluding oil by pipeline) and provides services to 1.3 billion passengers annually.

This event is conducted by Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
(GBC) with financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Open Health Institute (OHI) within the GLOBUS project