2009 World AIDS Day

The 1st of December marks 2009 World AIDS Day and is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. For the next two years the theme for World AIDS Day is Human Rights and Universal Access. The theme has been chosen to address the critical need to protect human rights and attain access for all to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. It also acts as a call to countries to remove laws that discriminate against people living with HIV, women and marginalized groups. Countries are also urged to fullfill the commitments they made to protect human rights in the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS (2001) and the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS (2006). Together, UN organizations, including UNESCO-IBE, the international and local communities working on AIDS, have planned a programme of activities and events in the Geneva to mark World AIDS Day 2009. The aim is to raise awareness through the  the red ribbon - the global symbol for solidarity with HIV-positive people and those living with AIDS. Outlined below are a series of activities that will take place on and around World AIDS Day in Geneva:

• A human red ribbon will be formed at the Place des Nations on 1 December from 10:30-11:30 with participants from United Nations Organizations and various local community groups. Press and photographers will be present at this event.
• The Paquis Lighthouse illuminated from 30 November to 2 December.
• St Peter's Cathedral illuminated in red on the evening of 1 December.
• The World AIDS Day posters will be visible on trams for a period of 14 days.
• Red ribbons will be visible in the Geneva airport, hotels and around the lake next to key monuments from 27 to 2 December (i. L'Adolescent et le Cheval, Parc Mon Repos et Avenue de France, ii. Brunswick Monument, Quai du Mont-Blanc, iii. Monument National - la Combourgeoisies, Quai Général Guisan et Pont du Mont-Blanc - Jardin Anglais, iv. Sculpture Torres, Pont du Mont-Blanc, v. Sculpture La Brise, Quai Gustave Ador).

Remember to wear your red ribbon on 1 December… For more information:

• Flyer of the programme (PDF, 1.9 MB)
• UNESCO's Response to HIV and AIDS