GAP is part of the International Society for Research on Civilization Diseases and on Environment (ISRCDE), which was founded in 1972 in Luxembourg. This is an association of scientists and practitioners from various fields of expertise.
From the beginning, ISRCDE was concerned with the problems of environment and life style, with actual and future conditions of human life, and with problems related to human nutrition, eco toxicology and mental health in modern society. Its major objectives are not only to explore disturbances and hazards in human environments, but also to devise feasible solutions to these problems. ISRCDE India, with its head office in Ahmedabad, Gujarat was established in 1984 and is working on the same charter. (The protection of human health and prevention of diseases are ISRCDE India's main objectives.)

GAP, the Gujarat AIDS Awareness and Prevention Unit, started when some concerned members of ISRCDE (India), realized that, the HIV/AIDS had reached India and that in the absence of a vaccine and a cure, the spread of the HIV/AIDS could only be controlled by bringing awareness of the disease amongst all. The GAP centre in Ahmedabad was opened in May 1989.

What does GAP do ?

GAP's main task lies in the need to prevent and slow down the spread of HIV, and counteract the undesirable effects of the epidemic on the social structure, and within the general population. The principles upon which the World Health Organization (WHO), and leading epidemiologists all over the world base their efforts to prevent the disease are in accordance with the traditional values of social work. GAP endorses these principles.
To do this GAP has undertaken :

• to participate in programmes to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in unaffected groups;
• to give priority to the implementation of comprehensive and anti-discrimination policies for people affected by HIV/AIDS;
• to lobby for more equitable and just distribution of resources, services and support structures worldwide;
• to give access to newly developed drugs;
• to develop and improve ethical and professional standards of those members involved in this endeavour;
• to contribute to the systemic exchanges of information on all aspects of the issue as it affects social work practice and education, and clients group;
• to ensure that institutes and agencies have the necessary training, education and support to maintain high standards of service to people living with HIV/AIDS;
• to be involved in research, data collection and information dissemination.