Stop AIDS. Universal Access and Human Rights
Interfaith Service at the 2004 International AIDS Conference. (Paul Jeffrey/EAA)
World AIDS Day, observed on 1 December each year, is an important opportunity when governments, national AIDS programs, faith organizations, community organizations, and individuals around the world to bring attention to the global AIDS epidemic and emphasise the critical need for universal access to essential care. You have an important part to play on that day through planning or participating in events at your church, your school, and in your community.
The global theme for 2009 and 2010 World AIDS Day is "Universal Access and Human Rights" chosen by The World AIDS Campaign. This theme encourages us to deepen understanding, develop partnerships and challenge discriminatory laws, policies and practices that stand in the way of access for all to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.
Faith-based organizations have a special responsibility to reflect and work to promote human dignity and respect and protect the human rights of people living with or affected by HIV, or those who are vulnerable to infection.
World AIDS Day -What can I do?
Join in worship – a special liturgy for the 2009 World AIDS Day is now available [links to language versions] If you or your church develop worship resources for World AIDS Day, particularly using the global theme, please send them to us to share with others. Email us.
Raise awareness - Under this year's theme, the World AIDS Campaign has prepared posters and postcards for the World AIDS Day materials aimed at bridging that gap and underscore the importance of awareness of Human Rights: I AM…available in English, French, Spanish, and Russian. EN
Get your message out to the media: World AIDS Day is one of the most recognised
international health days and a key opportunity to raise further awareness in communities and across the world about the state of the pandemic, and critical next steps that must be taken to halt its spread. To make your events as effective as possible, and to get your message out as widely as possible, start planning now.
The Media Toolkit I and II prepared by the World AIDS Campaign will help you make more effective use of the media as you plan your events. Use and adapt it to your own context – and send WAC [link: mailto media@worldaidscampaign.org] any feedback on what worked best for you and any new tips you’d like to add to this resource.
Publicize your event globally! Help to publicize and raise awareness about your events and activities by adding an entry to the World AIDS Day calendar.
Take action
You can make a difference in the response to HIV and AIDS! Here are a few ideas to combine with worship, prayer, and learning.
- Find out what your church has said about HIV and AIDS and human rights, and ask church leaders what they have done to follow up on their statements.
- Learn about the commitments toward universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support made by governments UNGASS and how you can join in civil society to ensure that effective targets are made and kept..
- Raise awareness of HIV and AIDS and human rights of people living with or affected by HIV, or those who are vulnerable to infection in your area. Link up to other community events around World AIDS Day. Work with and support networks of people living with HIV and AIDS.
- Wear a red ribbon and ask others to do the same.
- Help mobilize action in your community - such as a march, vigil, or letter-writing campaign - calling on your national leaders to actively work towards universal access by 2010. Use the posters from the World AIDS Campaign.
- Visit political leaders or write to them to make sure that they are keeping to commitments they have made for the care and support of people living with HIV and AIDS. Lobby them to increase their commitments.
- Be tested for HIV. It is important for all of us to know our status, so that we can make informed decisions that affect our own health and that of the people we love. Seek out and promote good counseling and confidential testing. This is also an important way for religious and community leaders to break down the stigma often associated with HIV and testing.
Many other resources for worship, study, and action are available.
Prior World Aids Day pages 2008 | 2007
