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World AIDS Day

First observed in 1988, World AIDS Day was initiated by health ministers from around the world who called for a spirit of social tolerance and a greater awareness of HIV/AIDS on an international scale.

When is World Aids Day? "Leadership" is the theme for 2008 World AIDS Day on Monday, December 1 which urges governments to keep the commitments they have made to fight the deadly disease. According to recent UN estimates, there were 39.5 million adults living with HIV worldwide last year and nearly 5 million newly infected.

What Can I Do on World AIDS Day?

World AIDS Day is not just about raising money, but also about increasing awareness and education. On the Web, get tips, advice and ideas on how you can aid in the fight against HIV AIDS in your neighborhood, workplace, or school classroom

Also check out a list of Web sites where you may find downloadable World AIDS Day posters, brochures and factsheets.

World AIDS Day In Your Neighborhood

• Wear a red ribbon as a symbol of hope to work, school or clubs - or distribute red ribbons at community gatherings.

• Organize a candlelight vigil at a community center or at a public park and invite local performers and speakers.

• Decorate a World AIDS Day tree or bulletin board to display in a local library or courthouse in memory of those who have died of AIDS.

• Write a letter or editorial to your local newspaper urging news coverage of World AIDS Day.

• Set up a table or booth at an existing community event to display HIV/AIDS exhibits, posters, flyers, or brochures.

• Send an World AIDS Day e-card to friends and family urging their support for AIDS awareness.

World AIDS Day At Work

• Ask your employer to help establish December 1 as a day to address the issue of HIV/AIDS in your workplace

• Educate employees about the prevention of HIV/AIDS: display posters, flyers, brochures, invite guest speakers, provide information through employee newsletters, E-mail messages and Web pages.

• Have your company sponsor community events by donating products to local HIV/AIDS programs, organize an AIDS fundraising events (run, walk, bike) or set up a display in the office lobby.

• Distribute World AIDS Day ribbons, posters, flyers or brochures in company mailboxes, cafeterias or break rooms.

• Retail businesses: place a World AIDS Day poster in your window, at checkout counters or community bulletin board.

For more information, point your browser to http://hivatwork.org

World AIDS Day In the Classroom

• Set aside class time for a special lesson or speaker on HIV/AIDS.

• Create a website, brochure or video for teaching parents the facts about HIV/AIDS.

• Invite a person living with AIDS or health care worker to come and talk to students about HIV/AIDS discrimination.

• Sponsor a poster, T-shirt, exhibit, or bumper sticker design contest for the 2005 theme

• Create a special HIV/AIDS writing assignment for December 1 : essay, poem, book report, brochure, poster or research report.

• Distribute red ribbons and information about HIV/AIDS at an exhibit set up in the school.

• Decorate trees, school buildings, classrooms, lamp posts, or fences with red ribbons.

• Prepare a current events bulletin board for students to fill with newspaper articles about HIV/AIDS.

World AIDS Day Posters, Brochures & Fact Sheets

AVERT - Booklets for Young People

AVERT - Posters

Canadian HIV/AIDS Posters

CDC Brochures

Glaxo-Smithkline Brochures, Fact Sheets, Posters

NIAID Brochures & Fact Sheets

More about World AIDS Day around the Web:

AVERT - World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day.org

World AIDS Campaign - World AIDS Day 2008