DIVERSITY HOUSE & EKAHP WORLD AIDS DAY EVENT 28 NOVEMBER 2009

World AIDS Day, observed December 1 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. It is common to hold memorials to honor persons who have died from HIV/AIDS on this day. Government and health officials also observe the event, often with speeches or forums on the AIDS topics.

World AIDS Day was first conceived in August 1987 by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Bunn and Netter took their idea to Dr. Jonathan Mann, Director of the Global Programme on AIDS (now known as UNAIDS). Dr. Mann liked the concept, approved it, and agreed with the recommendation that the first observance of World AIDS Day should be 1 December, 1988.

There are over 80,000 people living with HIV in the UK and new infections continue to increase every year. Over a quarter of people living with HIV in the UK don’t know they are infected. People living with HIV still face discrimination, but treatment is improving and life expectancy is increasing.

World Aids Day is an opportunity to bring people together to talk about HIV. By attending the East Kent African Health Project event on 28 November 2009 in Sittingbourne, Canterbury, Ashford and Thanet you can help spread the word and break the silence on HIV.
We ask that you join us in this campaign by doing the followings:
1. Sponsor our event
2. Organize an event – healthy walks, cake sale, coffee morning, Art exhibition, village ball, etc.
3. Wear a Red ribbon - the red ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around World AIDS Day to demonstrate care and concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment.


The World AIDS Day theme for 2009 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. We would like to encourage people to help implement equal access and human rights for all people living with HIV. Again, World AIDS Day is important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.