Australian Landmarks will turn red for World AIDS Day 2011
Today and tomorrow evening landmarks in Australia will be bathed in red for the global launch of World AIDS Day on 1 December 2011. Around the world, over 50 landmarks and iconic monuments will turn red in support of an AIDS-free generation by 2015.
The Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge pylons and Canberra’s New and Old Parliament Houses and Black Mountain Tower will turn red as part of a global campaign to create an AIDS-free generation by 2015; and to reduce cases of mother-to-child transmission of HIV from 390,000 cases per year to zero by 2015.
On Wednesday 30 November, a World AIDS Day reception at the Opera House will be attended by the Governor-General and prominent HIV experts, advocates and activists involved in the global response to HIV/AIDS. The event is being coordinated by Pacific Friends of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
“Creating an AIDS free generation by 2015 is an ambitious but attainable goal. It is one to which the world must remain committed” said Pacific Friends Chair Wendy McCarthy AO.
The Australian Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Nicola Roxon, will be speaking at the Reception, as will the Lord Mayor of Sydney, the Hon Clover Moore MP.
A major theme of this year’s World AIDS Day is the compelling need to eliminate transmission of HIV from mother-to-child. One of the speakers at the Sydney Opera House will be Dr Mobumo Kiromat, the Clinical Director for the Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission with the Clinton Health Access Initiative in Papua New Guinea.
Another key speaker is Mr James Chau, Presenter and Senior Anchor with the China Central Television Network (CCTV) who also serves UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador. World AIDS Day Sydney will also hear from Robert Mitchell, President of the National Association of People Living with HIV AIDS and Mr Paul McClintock, Chair of Medibank.
Tune in to Twitter tonight for live coverage of the event between 7pm and 10pm on Twitter @PacificFriends #WorldAIDSDay #WAD2011 #GettingToZero #AIDSFreeGeneration2015 #turnRED #HIVisStillHere
Here is some coverage of last year’s event:
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| Pacific Friends operates under the auspices of the University of New South Wales Foundation. |
Pacific Friends
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Pacific Friends of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is a high-level advocacy organisation which seeks to mobilise regional awareness of the serious threat posed by HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria to societies and economies in the Pacific. In pursuing its goals Pacific Friends has a specific interest in highlighting the need to protect the rights of women and children in the Pacific.
In February 2009, Pacific Friends was launched under the auspices of the Lowy Institute for International Policy and with generous support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to join the group of Friends of the Global Fund organisations. Pacific Friends also raises support for the Geneva-based Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the vital role it plays in resourcing effective country-based plans to reduce the impact and spread of the three pandemics.
Following generous support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to join the group of Friends of the Global Fund organisations, Pacific Friends has established itself under the auspices of the University of New South Wales. Through its advocacy Pacific Friends also raises support for the Geneva-based Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the vital role it plays in resourcing effective country-based plans to reduce the impact and spread of the three pandemics.
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