UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon speaking at the "Light for Rights" event during the World AIDS Day celebrations in New York City.
Credit: UNAIDS/B. Hamilton

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon joined with leaders in the AIDS response and entertainment stars at a dramatic public event commemorating World AIDS Day 2009 on 1 December at New York City’s historic Washington Square Park Memorial Arch.

Lights on the arch and other landmarks around the city were turned off at 6:15 pm to remember those lost to AIDS, and to represent how stigma, discrimination, fear and shame drive people with HIV into the darkness; then re-lighted to show how shining a human rights light on HIV can help people with HIV emerge from the shadows, to seek the information, treatments, care and support they need to live healthy lives.

“On World AIDS Day this year, our challenge is clear: we must continue doing what works, but we must also do more, on an urgent basis, to uphold our commitment to reach universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said. “This goal can be achieved only if we shine the full light of human rights on HIV. AIDS responses do not punish people; they protect them.”

Joining the event were Naomi Watts, Oscar-nominated actress and UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador; Christine C. Quinn, Speaker of the New York City Council; Oscar winner and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Susan Sarandon, Dr Paul De Lay, Deputy Executive Director of UNAIDS; and Tembeni Fazo, a counselor and educator for HIV-positive African and Caribbean immigrants in New York; and Cheyenne Jackson, a star on television and now on Broadway, who opened the evening.

UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador and actor Naomi Watts addressed the event in New York.
Credit: UNAIDS/B. Hamilton

UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Naomi Watts highlighted the injustice of stigma. “It has been both unfortunate and unfair for HIV infection to be considered a shameful disease, for people living with HIV to be judged as blameworthy, and for AIDS to be equated with certain death. I have personally seen that dignity and hope have been strongest among those whose lives were changed by HIV.” As UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador, Watts has used her celebrity status to raise AIDS awareness and give a greater voice to the needs of people living with HIV.

“We are here tonight to shine a light on the human rights that are so central to the success of the fight against AIDS. And we’re here to recommit ourselves to bringing an end to the global AIDS epidemic,” said Kenneth Cole, renowned fashion designer, chairman of Kenneth Cole Productions, and chairman of the board of trustees of amfAR (The Foundation for AIDS Research), who hosted the event.

UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Programme Paul De Lay at the "Light for Rights" World AIDS Day event. New York, 01 December 2009.
Credit: UNAIDS/B. Hamilton

The event launched the global LIGHT FOR RIGHTS campaign organized by amfAR, UNAIDS, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and the World AIDS Campaign. UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Paul De Lay confirmed UNAIDS support, “UNAIDS is excited to participate in the launch of this two-year campaign to shine a light on the importance of humans rights for achieving universal access.

“If we shine a human rights light on people with AIDS, they can emerge from the darkness to gain access to treatment, information, care and support to allow them to live normal lives,” he continued.

Dr De Lay called Tom Viola, Executive Director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and Marcel Van Soest, the Executive Director of the World AIDS Campaign, to join him on stage and thanked their organizations for the commitment to co-sponsor the two-year LIGHT FOR RIGHTS campaign. Dr De Lay also thanked Mr. Cole for his leadership on the campaign and for the LIGHTS FOR RIGHTS brand and Red Ribbon Light Bulb symbol, which the design team of Kenneth Cole Productions developed in consultation with the four co-sponsoring organizations.

Other speakers spoke powerfully of the shared responsibility we have to ensure rights are protected.

Ms Susan Sarandon, who was a leader of efforts to free HIV-positive Haitian refugees from the HIV detention Camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in the early 1990’s, recalled the long struggle against stigma and isolation facing people living with HIV, and said that ensuring respect for human rights is essential. City Council Speaker Quinn highlighted how the lack of equality for segments of the general population including the inequality of men who have sex with men, drug users, sex workers and women and girls, heightens their vulnerability to discrimination and marginalization, which makes them especially at risk of contracting HIV.

Other landmarks around the city that dimmed their lights and then re-illuminated them as part of the LIGHT FOR RIGHTS event included: the Chrysler Building; Rockefeller Center; Lincoln Center, including the Metropolitan Opera, Avery Fisher Hall, the David H. Koch Theater and the Revson Fountain; the MetLife Building; Madison Square Garden; the Beacon Theatre; 33 Broadway theaters; and Radio City Music Hall.

UNAIDS has launched a new strategic framework for partnership with Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) in its response to HIV at the Parliament of the World’s Religions. It is evidence of stronger partnerships between UNAIDS and FBOs.

Faith-Based Organizations have been major providers of HIV-related services. The World Health Organization estimates that faith-based groups provide between 30% and 70% of all healthcare in Africa. In some areas, faith-based hospitals or clinics are the only health-care facilities that exist. FBOs are also a major source of AIDS funding, particularly in some of the least developed countries.

The goal of the framework is to encourage stronger partnerships between UNAIDS and FBOs in order to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. It includes the integration of FBOs in comprehensive national AIDS responses.

UNAIDS Country Coordinator for Papua New Guinea, Dr Tim Rwabuhemba, presented the report titled Engaging Faith-Based Organizations for the MDGs: the UN Experience to Parliament of the World’s Religions which runs until 09 December in Melbourne.

Dr Rwabuhemba communicated a message of support from UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé, “This is a unique achievement. The framework is not about how the UN system can help FBOs, but rather about how UNAIDS and the faith-based community can work together to achieve joint goals, build commitment and shared ownership; with a common resolve to achieve results in achieving universal access.”

The framework is the result of an 18-month consultation process between the UNAIDS Secretariat and Cosponsors, FBOs, networks of people living with HIV, government representatives and technical experts.

The framework is designed to encourage global and national religious leaders to take supportive public action in the AIDS response and create strong partnerships between UNAIDS and established FBOs working on HIV.

It also aims to promote strengthened links, including coordination and oversight, with FBOs at the country level to ensure that there is an appropriate interface as part of a comprehensive national AIDS response.

It hopes to target FBOs not yet working on HIV and mobilise local faith communities to become involved in the local AIDS response.

UNAIDS already collaborates with a wide range of larger FBOs, such as the World Conference for Religion and Peace, the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, the Tearfund, Caritas Internationalis, World Vision, Positive Muslims, the Buddhist Sangha Metta Project and the Art of Living Foundation.

The framework is intended to provide a structure for the development of ongoing workplans and partnerships in response to AIDS by the UNAIDS Secretariat, Cosponsors and FBOs.

Public positions, statements and responses of some FBOs have ranged, on occasion, from the unhelpful to the deeply harmful or hurtful, increasing rather than diminishing HIV-related stigma.

UNAIDS, through this framework, is now hoping to look beyond the prejudices and create partnerships based on mutual trust and respect and with joint commitments to achieving universal access targets.

The framework details that FBOs need to work towards ending stigma and discrimination and include people living with HIV in the design, programming, implementation, research, monitoring and evaluation of programmes and in decision-making processes.

UNAIDS, meanwhile, will advocate for FBOs and other organizations to be appropriately funded so that they can play a role commensurate with their capacities in supporting the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of national AIDS plans.

In adopting the 2001 Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, Member States committed themselves to regularly report to the United Nations General Assembly on the progress made in their country’s response to the AIDS epidemic. Member States submit Country Progress reports to the UNAIDS Secretariat every two years and the next reporting round will be in 2010.

In order to facilitate the 2010 UNGASS reporting process for countries, UNAIDS launches an online reporting tool. The new tool allows data to be entered over a period of time as and when it becomes available. This allows the information be shared which enables consultation country-wide. It also helps to track any changes in data during data validation. In addition to reporting on progress, countries will be able to enter their own national targets for 2010 and 2015 and can view data from earlier reporting rounds for trend analysis.

“A significant advantage of this tool is that it is very easy to use. It does not require any software installation or configuration - just an internet connection”, says Dr Deborah Rugg, Chief of the UNAIDS Monitoring and Evaluation Division.

As well as facilitating the consultative process and data vetting, by using the online tool it will be easier to monitor the status of countries’ data submission and the data management process both in country and globally.

After the report has been submitted, the data entered can be connected with other existing national programme data by exporting it to the Country Response Information System version 3 (CRIS3).

Process for reporting online

Between September and November 2009, a series of regional workshops took place for countries to test the online tool and be trained on how to enter their data. The first training took place in Latin America in September. In addition, a self-paced online training module is available from November onwards.

All countries received communication from UNAIDS requesting the name of the national UNGASS focal point, who received a unique username and password to access the online reporting tool and to submit the country report.

From 1 December 2009, countries are able to access the tool with their unique credential, and start entering their data. The data entry and submission must be completed by 31 March 2010, which is the deadline for submission of UNGASS country reports.

For access to the online reporting tool, go to: www.unaids.org/UNGASS2010. Please also consult the UNGASS Guidelines on Construction of Core Indicators for 2010 reporting for more information about the indicators and process.

For more information contact Mr. Taavi Erkkola (erkkolat@unaids.org).

UNAIDS Executive Director Mr Michel Sidibé (left) met with Mr Danny Jordaan, CEO of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Organising Committee, Cape Town 2 December 2009.
Credit: UNAIDS

The World Cup 2010 draw will take place later today in Cape Town South Africa at a ceremony with representatives of the teams from the 32 countries that have qualified for the tournament. The draw will decide who the teams will play in the tournament set to kick off on 11 June and will be eagerly watched by millions of fans around the world.

Earlier this week in Cape Town, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé met with Mr Danny Jordaan, Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South African Organising Committee to discuss support for global outreach on HIV by the South African government around the epic event which will take place next summer.

Mr Sidibé told Mr Jordaan that “President Zuma’s new policies on HIV mark a fundamental break from the past, shattering years of official ambivalence, rallying citizens to take responsibility for learning their status, reducing their risk and seeking treatment.”

Michel Sidibé and Danny Jordaan, CEO of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Organising Committee, discussed support for global outreach on HIV around the 2010 World Cup which will take place in South Africa next summer.
Credit: UNAIDS

South African President Jacob Zuma has placed his country in the front line of worldwide efforts to turn the tide against the AIDS epidemic, and the World Cup will be a key opportunity to convey life-saving messages on prevention, achieving universal access, and overcoming stigma and discrimination.

Mr Jordaan highlighted the significance of the World Cup tournament to South Africa: “It is about much more than 90 minutes of world-class football in each game. As the first developing country to host the event, with Brazil following in 2014, we must be engaged in the struggle on major issues facing Africa and developing countries worldwide.”

He added that, “The first thing is the battle for minds to fight stigma and discrimination in strengthening the AIDS response.” Mr Jordaan cited the example of South African judge Edwin Cameron, a vocal campaigner for gay rights who was the first senior official in the country to state that he is living with HIV. At a recent banquet of the local organising committee, Justice Cameron spoke against stigmatization, saying, “I am the virus that you fear so much.”

The President of the South African Football Association (SAFA) Mr Kirsten Nematandani, and Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, Vice President of SAFA also participated in the meeting.

(from left) Djibril Diallo, Senior Communication Advisor UNAIDS; Bunmi Makinwa, Regional Director, Africa, UNFPA; Michel Sidibé UNAIDS Executive Director; Danny Jordan, CEO of the FIFA Local Organising Committee South Africa; Kirsten Nematandani, President of the South African football Association (SAFA); Luis Loures, Director of the Executive Office UNAIDS; Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, Vice President of the South African football Association (SAFA) Credit: UNAIDS

Mr Sidibé expressed thanks to Mr Jordaan for his strong commitment to AIDS advocacy and welcomed South African initiatives on AIDS related to the World Cup.

The Executive Director earlier met with South African Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and Mr Kgalema Motlante, Deputy President of the Government of South Africa and their discussion included the government’s advocacy efforts around the World Cup. During his visit to Pretoria, the Executive Director conferred with United Nations Resident Coordinator Dr Agostino Zacharias concerning plans for activities by the UN system on HIV for the World Cup.

Rocking in Nepal: A band on stage at the World AIDS Day concert in Damak.
Credit: UNHCR

As the world marked World AIDS Day on Tuesday, UNHCR’s chief, António Guterres, revealed that the UN Refugee Agency had expanded its global HIV interventions.

Guterres, while reiterating his personal commitment to keeping AIDS a priority for UNHCR, also stressed that his agency would continue to advocate for the abolishment of laws discriminating against those with HIV.

In an annual message to staff, the High Commissioner noted: "We now have activities in more than 75 countries, and 75 percent of refugees have access to anti-retroviral therapy when it is available to surrounding host country nationals, whereas 63 percent have access to prevention of mother-to-child transmission programmes (PMTCT)."

He continued that in southern Africa, the epicentre of the AIDS epidemic, "We have 100 percent coverage for voluntary counselling and testing, PMTCT and anti-retroviral therapy for refugees." In 2005, UNHCR only had HIV programmes in Africa and Asia; it has since expanded these to the Americas and Eastern Europe.

Guterres said UNHCR's goal was to ensure that all people of concern to the agency had access to these essential services. "Furthermore, the HIV and AIDS response for internally displaced persons and for high risk groups among UNHCR's persons of concern needs strengthening," he said.

The High Commissioner also pledged to help staff members affected by HIV. "More needs to be done to combat stigma and to support those staff members who live with HIV. We are committed to reaching the 10 UN minimum standards on HIV in the workplace by 2011, so that every staff member has an active knowledge about HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment and related rights within the UN system," he said.

Refugees in Gambia commemorate World AIDS Day.
Credit: UNHCR

"World AIDS Day provides each of us with an opportunity to renew our resolve to fight the epidemic both in our personal and professional lives and I encourage us all to do exactly that," Guterres concluded.

UNHCR held a wide range of activities at Geneva headquarters and in field offices and camps for the forcibly displaced around the world. A banner of a large red ribbon, symbolizing AIDS awareness, was hanging from the façade of the headquarters building, where staff could pick up literature and educational material on HIV as well as purchase silk and cotton clothing items made by people living with HIV in Thailand.

Among overseas events held to mark World AIDS Day, was an awareness-raising concert for refugees and local communities in eastern Nepal. The event, held at a school in Damak with support from FC Barcelona, featured a wide range of music, including Nepali folk, raga, rock, funk, blues and jazz.

ILO officials have gathered every year since 2006 to form a human red ribbon to commemorate World AIDS Day in ILO headquarters
Credit: ILO

About one hundred officials gathered to form a human red ribbon to commemorate and celebrate World AIDS Day at the International Labour Organization (ILO) headquarters in Geneva on 1 December.

This symbolic gathering was followed by ceremony moderated by Mrs Manuela Tomei, Director of the Condition of Work and Employment Programme. Mrs Maria Angelica Ducci, Executive Director, read a statement by the Director-General, Juan Somavia which highlighted the importance of enabling HIV-positive workers to remain in their jobs by eliminating stigma and discrimination. He further emphasized the need for a multi-dimensional approach with long-term commitment, creativity and diversity in order to prevent more infections.

The ILO gave a voice to people living with HIV. Mr Rodrigo Pascal from the UN System Positive Staff Group (UN Plus) presented a testimonial. He explained that UN Plus now counts 170 members, representing 28 UN entities in 43 countries. He underlined the right to work for people living with HIV: “We also have the right to keep our jobs and to be promoted according to our skills and performance.” He added that “where there is access to treatment we can live a regular life, the side effects of treatment are generally pretty manageable. We can face challenges as any other human being.”

in the absence of Dr Sophia Kisting, Director of the ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS and the world of work who is attending a special World AIDS Day Event in the context of the First African Decent Work Symposium on recovering from the Crisis Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Jazz concert from the Namibian musician Jackson Wahengo and his band
Credit: ILO

A jazz concert from the Namibian musician Jackson Wahengo and his band concluded the celebration. Mr Wahengo performed his songs in Oshiwambo his native language. One such song was Takamifeni which means be careful is the message of a HIV positive father to his son.

Dr Sophia Kisting, Director of the ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS and the world of work was in attendance at a special World AIDS Day event in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso during the First African Decent Work Symposium on recovering from the Crisis.

ILO officials have gathered every year since 2006 to form a human red ribbon to commemorate World AIDS Day. This year’s event marked the conclusion of the festivities of the 90th anniversary of the ILO, eight years after the creation of the ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS and the world of work in 2001.

An independent Commission on AIDS in the Pacific recommends that HIV cannot be managed in isolation; it should be considered in the overall development context of the region. This is one of several recommendations stemming from the report that was launched today by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the United Nations in New York.

Titled Turning the Tide: An OPEN strategy for a response to AIDS in the Pacific, the report outlines the key challenges that are blocking the AIDS response in the Pacific and presents decisive steps countries in the region should take to protect their societies, cultures and economies from HIV.

In addition, the report states that a “one size fits all” response does not suit the diversity of Pacific nations and outdated legislation criminalizing homosexuality and commercial sex is a major impediment in the region.

"Punitive laws are a significant barrier to effective HIV prevention and our response to AIDS," said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. "We must uphold the rights of all people living with HIV. In particular, countries in the region must repeal laws that fuel stigma and discrimination against men who have sex with men, sex workers and injecting drug users."

Commenting on the report’s release, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé said the Pacific region has a unique opportunity to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment care and support, “Governments, civil society and people living with HIV must come together to scale up the AIDS movement that is informed by evidence and grounded in human rights,” said Mr Sidibé. “The AIDS response must become a catalyst to achieve the Millennium Development Goals in the region.”

Comprising some of the world’s smallest, most isolated and least developed countries, the Pacific region spans a third of the world’s surface and accounts for just 0.14% of the world’s population—with a similar proportion of the global burden of HIV. However, for Pacific countries, even a small number of people living with HIV can translate into high incidence and prevalence rates.

UNAIDS RST Director Prasada Rao addressed the launch of the report which was published by the Commission on AIDS in the Pacific. New York, 2 December 2009.
Credit: UNAIDS/B. Hamilton

Pacific countries are often included in broad Asia-Pacific regional groupings where the magnitude of the problem in Asian countries overshadows the challenges and needs of smaller Pacific countries.

These realities about the regions led to the constitution of an independent Commission on AIDS in the Pacific in October 2007 to examine the current scale of the HIV epidemic in the region.

HIV Incidence

Countries in the Pacific are at various levels of achieving the Millennium Development Goals, but the report claims it is unlikely that any will meet all the health targets by 2015.

There have been 29,629 reported cases of people living with HIV in the Pacific, with 5,162 new HIV diagnoses reported in 2008.

Papua New Guinea makes up the largest share of cases, growing exponentially from 21% in 1984–1989 to over 99% in 2008. Reported cases in Papua New Guinea total 28,294 but UNAIDS estimates there are 54,000 people living with HIV. It is estimated that by 2012, Papua New Guinea will have a national prevalence rate of 5.07% and a total of 208,714 people will have been infected with HIV.

The predominant means of HIV transmission in the region is unprotected sex. The number of HIV-positive young people is steadily increasing and young women are infected earlier than young men. New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Guam have identified unprotected male-to-male sex and injecting drug use as key drivers of their epidemics.

The Pacific Response

“Turning the Tide: An OPEN strategy for a response to AIDS in the Pacific”.

Between 2001 and 2009, funding for HIV programmes in the region increased more than five-fold to US $77 million in 2008. The cost of implementing HIV programmes in the Pacific is high due to cultural and linguistic diversity, limited and expensive transport networks, and poor communications infrastructure.

Although the Commission commended Pacific leaders for acting early to support an AIDS response, it also noted that knowledge is still limited because of poor surveillance and data collection and analysis.

The Pacific AIDS response will benefit more by focusing on unprotected sex and other high-risk behaviours, rather than population groups, it noted.

As strong family and faith-based ties are central to life in the Pacific, any hope for success addressing the epidemic depends on integrating responses to HIV within these social structures. The report also recommends that greater involvement of people living with HIV in matters of policy making and programme delivery will strengthen the response.

“AIDS in the Pacific should not be seen as a burden which is diverting resources away from other priorities,” said the Honourable Misa Telefoni Retzlaff, Chairman of the Commission on AIDS in the Pacific, who launched the report with the Secretary-General. “AIDS is an opportunity for development and for addressing the inequalities, inequities and injustices in our societies.”

To mark World AIDS Day this year the World Bank is hosting an event in Washington DC which brings together a wide range of international partners and high-level guests to explore key issues in the challenge to HIV. Entitled Keeping the promise, Investing in the future: Linking HIV/AIDS, food security and maternal and child health, the gathering will examine AIDS as a central development issue, forging critical links between the epidemic and broader development goals.

To watch live click here

The event brings together the "big three" in AIDS funding - USG/PEPFAR (Under-Secretary for State, Hon. Jack Lew , and Ambassador Eric Goosby who heads PEPFAR), the Global Fund (Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director) and the World Bank (MD Ngozi  Okonjo-Iweala, Debrework Zewdie, and Julian Schweitzer). There will be short talks by WB President Bob Zoellick, Hon Jack Lew, Beldina Atieno – an HIV positive school teacher from Kenya, and Dr Jean (Bill) Pape who will discuss groundbreaking new data from his work in Haiti (with Cornell University) on the link between nutrition and health outcomes for people with HIV.  Then there will be a "Davos-style" conversation, moderated by Frank Sesno (former chief CNN correspondent, now Director, GWU School of Media and Public Affairs.).

It takes place this morning at World Bank headquarters in Washington from 9.00am to 10.45am local time and will be web cast live. The event includes the following speakers and panellists:

1. The Honorable Jack Lew, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State
2. Beldina Atieno, Teacher and mother living with HIV, Kenya
3. Jean Pape, Director, GHESKIO, Haiti, and Professor of Medicine, Cornell University
4. Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria
5. Ambassador Eric Goosby, US Global AIDS Coordinator
6. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director, World Bank
7. Debrework Zewdie, Director, Global HIV/AIDS Program
8. Robert Zoellick, President, World Bank Group (by video)

There are an estimated 33.4 million people around the world living with HIV. As we gather around the globe today World AIDS Day to collectively commemorate, celebrate and speak out against obstacles, it is important to not lose sight of the individuals behind the numbers and to remember the very real impact HIV has on people’s lives.

This is Raffaele’s story.

Since being diagnosed with HIV almost ten years ago, there is a question that people often ask me when hear that I am living with HIV. “How did you feel when you found out?”

Blur.

That is the only word that instantly comes to my mind. Walking like an automaton for days, until my first adult tears were shed outside a shop window display. What triggered it, I could not say, but this is my early, and only, recollection of my diagnosis. Standing still for hours, crying in the middle of the street.

I cannot deny it has been a difficult journey; one comes to terms with some hard-hitting realities, and I found them harder when they were closer to home.

Beforehand, stigma and discrimination were just abstract concepts for me, till the day I started experiencing them in my own skin.

Life-long friends started disappearing, withdrawing the very thing I needed most, support. The vacuum they created was difficult to understand, and the whole process distressing, affecting my already debilitating health. Nonetheless, I saw these as experiences I had to learn by.

There were so many challenges I had to face, and so many decisions to take. HIV medication and its difficult side effects were just some of them. If I think back to that time, to those sleepless nights, the constant nausea, and countless other ailments my body had to endure, it could have been easy to give up. Then again, if I think back to that time, I see all those positive elements that gave me strength and renewed energy to continue.

I consider myself lucky. Having access to ARV treatment has given me the possibility to lead a normal life, backed up by the support and love of my wonderful partner. My career as graphic designer has always been important to me, and in my early years of my diagnosis I was fortunate to work in an environment where I and other HIV positive colleagues were able to be truthful about our status. We could talk freely about the ups and downs of everyday life living with HIV without the necessity to constantly hide these facts.

These last ten years have been for me like a rollercoaster ride, with joyful long bouts and scary, dreadful moments.

I could see that I am, yet again, at the end of another cycle, but that energetic child in me is more than ready to get on the next ride.

For me World AIDS Day is not only a day to remember those who no longer are with us, but also to remind others of our daily fight against the virus, against stigma and discrimination, and hope that one day these will be just feeble memories of the past.

Raffaele lives in London.

To focus on the human rights of people living with HIV, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be joined UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Naomi Watts, Kenneth Cole, chairman, board of trustees, amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, New York City Speaker of the City Council Christine C. Quinn, and 13-year-old AIDS activist Keren Dunaway-Gonzalez in New York City.

They will gather at the Washington Square Park Memorial Arch where the floodlights illuminating the monument will be turned off at 6:15 to remember those lost to AIDS and will be turned back on by 6:20 to emphasize the need to shine the light on human rights for those living with HIV around the globe.

Floodlights on the Empire State Building, clearly visible through the arch, will also be turned off and turned back on at the same time. Other participating venues turning off their lights in New York City include all Broadway theaters, Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center, the Chrysler Building, and the Brooklyn Bridge.

The New York event is part of global “Light for Rights Campaign” organized by amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research; UNAIDS; Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS; and World AIDS Campaign.

amfAR and its partner organizations have created a special Light for Rights campaign web site (www.lightforrights.org) that provides descriptions of Light for Rights activities that can be organized in other locations, social networking ideas, and templates for campaigning.

World AIDS Day is an international day of celebration, remembrance and an opportunity for people around the globe to renew their commitment in the AIDS response. The theme for this year is "Universal Access and Human Rights".