World Aids Day 
December 1 

According to UNAIDS（联合国艾滋病规划署）estimates there were 38.6 million adults and 3.2 million children living with HIV at the end of 2002, and during the year 5 million new people became infected with the virus. Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35. 95% of the total number of people with HIV live in the developing world. But HIV still remains a threat to people of all ages and nationalities.

Stigma and Discrimination is the theme of the 2003 World AIDS day. In many parts of the world, discrimination prevents people who are known to have HIV from securing a job or caring for their families. Discrimination can cause isolation and marginalizes（排斥）people who have HIV and AIDS. This can prevent people from being offered or seeking the treatment which could save their lives.

In order for HIV to be effectively tackled on an international level, efforts need to be made to

End the discrimination against people with HIV and AIDS.
Educate people in safer sex and drug use, using appropriate media.
Provide condoms freely to people in the developing world.
Provide financial and medical assistance so that people with HIV and AIDS can be treated.

Started in 1988, World AIDS Day is not just about raising money, but also about raising awareness, education and fighting prejudice. World AIDS Day is also important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.

Themes for World Aids Day

The theme for world AIDS day 2003 is Stigma and Discrimination. Each year there is a particular theme chosen for World AIDS Day, and for the last fourteen years the themes have been as follows:

2004 Women and AIDS
2003 Stigma and Discrimination
2002 Stigma and Discrimination
2001 I care. Do you?
2000 AIDS : Men make a difference
1999 Listen, Learn, Live: World AIDS Campaign with Children and Young People
1998 Force For Change: World AIDS Campaign With Young People
1997 Children Living in a World with AIDS
1996 One World, One Hope
1995 Shared Rights, Shared Responsibilities
1994 AIDS and the Family
1993 Time to Act
1992 Community Commitment
1991 Sharing the Challenge
1990 Women & AIDS
1989 Youth
1988 Communication

The Red Ribbon

The Red Ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around world AIDS day to demonstrate care and concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment.

The red ribbon started as a "grass roots" effort, and as a result there is no official red ribbon, and many people make their own. To make your own ribbons, get some ordinary red ribbon, about 1.5 cms wide and cut it into strips about 15 cms long. Then fold at the top into an inverted "V" shape and put a safety pin through the centre which you use to attach the ribbon to your clothing.