“Leadership” chosen as theme for World AIDS Day

none 05 Mars 2007 – 15:55 (modified on 23 Août 2007 – 12:53)

by mlepeska

“Leadership” will be the theme for the 2007 and 2008 World AIDS Day, the World AIDS Campaign announced today. Promoted with the slogan, “Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.”, which is the World AIDS Campaign emphasis from 2005-2010, “leadership” will build on the 2006 World AIDS Day focus on accountability. World AIDS Day is celebrated on 1 December each year.

The theme for World AIDS Day has been determined by the World AIDS Campaign since 1997. The Global Steering Committee (GSC) of the World AIDS Campaign selected the theme of leadership during their meeting held in Geneva , 8-9 February 2007, agreeing to launch the theme in the first week of March.

Some statements on what leadership means to some of the GSC members who represent important stakeholders in the response to HIV and AIDS:

Linda Hartke, Coordinator, Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance: “Leadership can imply the power and authority to make a difference, to lead by action and example. In many faith contexts, though, a leader is a servant - ­someone who responds to the needs of the community, supports others in their planning and action, and empowers people by both words and resources. By taking on the global theme of leadership for World AIDS Day, faith leaders and the communities they are a part of can help articulate a vision, build relationships and take concrete action in solidarity with all people committed to reaching universal access for HIV prevention, treatment and care.”

Deloris Dockrey, Chairperson, Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS and representative for International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS: “We are still dying! Leadership requires that we face this reality. While leadership is a strong call and can easily be embraced, I have been very disappointed with our leaders. While scaling up of HIV care is prioritised, it is under funded and poorly implemented. Faith leaders continue to deny the existence of HIV/AIDS in the communities and congregations they serve. Governments are complacent, and have not provided the leadership needed to end the epidemic.”

Alan Leather, Chairperson, Global Unions Programme on HIV/AIDS: “Trade unions are mass membership organisations with leaders at global, national and community levels. Labour leaders have mobilised their networks, integrated AIDS in their programmes, defended the rights of workers with HIV, encouraged voluntary testing, and promoted workplace action. Union advocacy and leadership is crucial if countries are to achieve universal access to treatment, care and prevention by 2010."

Mabel Bianco, Coordinator, International Women’s AIDS Caucus and President, FEIM: “All gender and women related issues in the context of HIV/AIDS are inter-connected and inter-linked. Thus we recognise that all forms of leadership must be included in responses to HIV/AIDS. Women’s movements and NGOs, particularly organisations and networks of people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as grassroots organisations, have played imperative roles in demonstrating important and effective leaderships in prevention, care and treatment of HIV/AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic.”

Prateek Suman, Youth Coalition: ”Young people are the worst hit by HIV/AIDS but they also have a vital role to play in the fight against the pandemic. Youth leadership is essential to an effective international response to HIV/AIDS and young people must be empowered with the knowledge, skills and resources they need in order to achieve the goal of universal access by 2010.”

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The Global Steering Committee of World AIDS Campaign is comprised of the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, the International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS, the Youth Coalition, the Global Unions Programme on HIV/AIDS, the International Council of AIDS Service Organisations, the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, and the International Women’s AIDS Caucus. UNAIDS and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria are non-voting members.

For more information about the World AIDS Day theme of leadership click here.

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