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Israeli Group Campaigns For World AIDS Day
Israel, December 1, 2004
This year's World AIDS Campaign focus is on Women and HIV. The Jerusalem AIDS Project brought together two special Israeli women to lead the campaign, Noa (known in Israel as Achinoam Nini), a singer and a recently appointed Goodwill Ambassador of The UN Food Program and Inbal Gur-Arie, a young Israeli women infected with HIV, who was appointed as
UNAIDS Campaigner for 2003 - 2004. Both appear on an Israeli World AIDS Day poster and a stamp.
The poster and stamp send across the message "We all care" for those infected, ill and those whom we must prevent from being infected.
The world is marking this week December 1st World AIDS Day (WAD). 23 years since AIDS was first known as a disease that affects mostly gay men, HIV - the virus that causes AIDS - knows no borders. Almost 40 million people are living today with HIV worldwide, and the current rate of new infections is 14,000 a day.
In Israel, official reports estimate the number of Israelis living with HIV to be 4,300. Many believe this is an under estimate, due to the basic fact that most Israelis do not test themselves for HIV.
The Jerusalem AIDS Project (JAIP) is focusing its efforts all year round in targeting youth with a comprehensive model for education on HIV prevention. Schools, army camps, universities and out of school groups are being educated by JAIP volunteers on how to prevent themselves from being infected and infecting others.
JAIP is also involved in the international commemoration of WAD, through its network and worldwide contacts. In Africa, volunteers of JAIP are conducting this week educational sessions in local communities. In Europe, JAIP educational materials are presented amongst other multi-cultural materials in exhibitions and events organized by the European AIDS Forum.
In Jerusalem, JAIP is especially active this year in contributing to the discussions at the Israeli parliament - Knesset - on HIV/AIDS. Also, JAIP is a partner to the municipality of Jerusalem in holding its major WAD event on 1 December.
Being part of faith-based initiatives on HIV/AIDS, The Jerusalem AIDS Project is supporting Christian, Jewish and Muslim groups in developing their action against HIV/AIDS. JAIP is part of an ecumenical initiative in this area.
For more information contact: jaipisrael@yahoo.com
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