World AIDS Day
December 1, 2009 

To:     NAN Health Directors and Health Staff

From  Gwen Medicine, HIV Program Coordinator

Re:  World AIDS Day – December 1st

What is World AIDS Day?  Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 is the 21st anniversary of World AIDS Day. 

Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week starts on World AIDS Day and concludes on December 5th.

The theme for World AIDS Day 2009 is Universal Access and Human Rights , to highlight the importance of understanding HIV and AIDS from a human rights perspective.

World AIDS Day is an opportunity for everyone to demonstrate the importance of HIV and AIDS and bring attention and awareness to the issue to prevent further infections.

The attached is a list of possible activities communities may want to organize and participate in.

Check out the three videos that are available online

Knowledge for today hope for tomorrow - Protection from HIV (part 1)

Knowledge for today hope for tomorrow - Protection from HIV (part 2)

Ontario First Nations HIV/AIDS Education Circle

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World AIDS Day is a chance to raise awareness and break down stigma that surrounds HIV. 

Possible Activities for World AIDS Day

• Hold a Radio Program to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.
• Invite your local health staff and community leaders to discuss challenges associated with HIV education.
• Discuss current activities and future plans in responding to HIV/AIDS.  Discuss how the  community can support and care for people who are living with HIV
• Talk about how HIV/AIDS will impact your community, with healthcare providers, educators, community, faith-based leaders and policy makers.
• Hold a youth forum to discuss HIV/AIDS.
• Encourage school officials to sponsor essay, poetry and/or poster contests.
• Highlight the anniversary in your local newsletter
• Distribute a radio Public Service Announcement (PSA) on you local radio station, in an effort to help increase HIV/AIDS awareness.
• Hold an HIV video afternoon or evening, show and view videos about HIV and AIDS.
• Have an HIV information booth/table at your local health center to encourage everyone to protect themselves and others.

Websites:

www.worldaidsday.org
www.avert.org
www.e-alliance.ch/en/s/hivaids/world-aids-day
www.slideshare.net/doctorrao/world-aids-day-2009-1925504
www.catie.ca (then go to World AIDS Day)