American Foundation for Aids Research (AMFAR) Prince of Asturias Award for Concord 1992

Since its creation in 1985, the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), which is a non-governmental organization, has fought against the fear of AIDS and has stimulated research to find remedies against what has been described as the “plague of the 20th century”. Furthermore, amfAR has designed and launched dynamic campaigns in different parts of the world for the prevention of AIDS and to protect the rights of people infected with the virus that causes this disease (Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV).

Although amfAR is based in the United States, it is an organization of a marked international nature, working in numerous countries around the world and managing aid and projects of various kinds.

The Foundation also disseminates scientific, medical and public health information through various publications distributed by the World Health Organization (WHO), as part of its general programme to combat AIDS.

The Foundation activities also focus on conducting biomedical research projects in various countries in pursuit of vaccines and drugs to combat the disease.

In recent years, amfAR has intensified its collaborative work not only with foreign governments –especially those of developing countries–, but also with local organizations to jointly establish associations and foundations that provide care or undertake research in countries with limited resources (mainly in Africa and Latin America).

It also places special emphasis on implementing specific policies of non-discrimination of those suffering from or infected with HIV and against their exclusion by society.

Its Founding National Chairman was the actress Elizabeth Taylor. Numerous public figures from the world of the Arts and Culture in the United States sit on its National Council (equivalent to a Board of Trustees). It also boasts a professional management team and over one hundred specialists who work voluntarily in the selection of projects, aid distribution, campaign design and fundraising, among other activities.

AIDS has become a veritable epidemic in many countries in Africa. It is a disease for which there is no known vaccine, but one for which research has progressed in a remarkable way, especially in the development of treatments that manage to delay its appearance in those infected.