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World AIDS Day 2009
What is World AIDS Day?
Tuesday December 1st, 2009 marks the 21st anniversary of World AIDS Day. AIDS Awareness Week takes place in the last week of November. Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week starts on World AIDS Day and concludes on December 5th.
The theme for World AIDS Day 2009 is Universal Access and Human Rights, to highlight and underscore the importance of understanding HIV and AIDS from a human rights perspective.
The campaign slogans for World AIDS Day 2009 are:
I am accepted
I am safe
I am getting treatment
I am well
I am living my rights
Everyone deserves to live their rights
Right to Live
Right to Health
Access for all to HIV prevention treatment care and support is a critical part of human rights
The first World AIDS Day was held in 1988 after the world’s health ministers met and agreed on the concept of the day as an opportunity for everyone to demonstrate the importance of AIDS and show solidarity for the cause. World AIDS Day is now internationally recognized as a day when individuals and organizations from around the world come together to bring attention to the global HIV and AIDS epidemic. World AIDS Day is an opportunity to take action on calling for universal treatment, care and support for people living with HIV and AIDS.
World AIDS Day was originally organized by UNAIDS, but in 2005 it handed over responsibility to an independent organization, the World AIDS Campaign.
Make your voice heard on World AIDS Day 2009 to raise further awareness in your community and across the world about the state of the pandemic and the critical next steps that must be taken to halt its spread.
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HIV/AIDS in Canada
The Public Health Agency of Canada’s Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control monitors the HIV epidemic in Canada. For a summary of the most recent estimates for HIV infections in Canada, see Summary: Estimates of HIV Prevalence and Incidence in Canada, 2008.
For further information, see:
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A brief history of HIV/AIDS: 1981–2009
| 1981 |
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| 1982 |
- The disease is renamed Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
- It is realized that the infection can be sexually transmitted.
- Cases are reported in haemophiliacs and blood transfusion recipients.
- The first cases of AIDS are reported in Africa.
- Canada reports its first case of AIDS in March.
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| 1983 |
- It is discovered that women can become infected with AIDS through heterosexual sex.
- Doctors in France isolate a virus – lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV) – that they believe causes AIDS.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) begins global surveillance of AIDS.
- Cases of AIDS are reported in Canada, fifteen European countries, Haiti, Zaire, seven Latin American countries, and Australia.
- Canada forms a national task force on AIDS.
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| 1984 |
- A heterosexual AIDS epidemic is reported in Africa.
- The AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) initiates the first AIDS Awareness Week.
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| 1985 |
- Doctors at the US National Cancer Institute identify a virus – human T-lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III) – they believe causes AIDS. A court case begins when it becomes evident that this is the same virus identified by French scientists in 1983.
- The first International Conference on AIDS is held in Georgia, USA.
- The Canadian Red Cross begins testing all blood products for HIV.
- The first Canadian Conference on AIDS is held in Montreal.
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| 1986 |
- The first commercial blood test for HIV is licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- It is discovered that HIV can be passed from mother to child through breast-feeding.
- Rock Hudson becomes the first major public figure to die of AIDS.
- The Canadian AIDS Society is established.
- The first Canadian AIDS Research Conference is held in Toronto.
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| 1987 |
- The FDA approves the first anti-retroviral drug, AZT.
- Vancouver activist Kevin Brown, a founder of the B.C. Persons With AIDS Society (BCPWA), lobbies the federal government for access to AZT.
- The WHO develops the first global strategy on AIDS.
- AIDS becomes the first disease ever to be debated at the UN General Assembly.
- Diana, Princess of Wales, is photographed touching a person living with AIDS, creating a media frenzy.
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| 1988 |
- A world summit of health ministers from 148 countries is held in London, England to develop an AIDS strategy.
- The Director-General of WHO announces that December 1st will be the first World AIDS day.
- AIDS ACTION NOW! is founded in Toronto.
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| 1989 |
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| 1990 |
- AIDS ACTION NOW! establishes the Treatment Information Exchange (TIE) and the federal Health Minister announces funding for a national treatment strategy as part of the National AIDS Strategy. The Emergency Drug Release Program opens up to allow access to unapproved treatments for AIDS-related conditions.
- The AIDS ACTION NOW! TIE project becomes the independent organization Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE).
- The Canadian HIV Trials Network is established.
- The Canadian Association for HIV Research is founded.
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| 1991 |
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| 1992 |
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| 1993 |
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| 1994 |
- A plan is formulated to replace WHO’s Global Programme on AIDS with the United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS).
- Research shows that AZT reduces the risk of vertical transmission of HIV from mother to child by two-thirds during pregnancy.
- The Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV (GIPA) Principle was formalized at the 1994 Paris AIDS Summit when 42 countries agreed to “support a greater involvement of people living with HIV at all…levels…and to…stimulate the creation of supportive political, legal and social environments.”
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| 1995 |
- The CDC announces that AIDS has become the leading cause of death among Americans aged 25–44 years.
- The FDA approves a new family of anti-retroviral drugs – protease inhibitors.
- The WHO estimates that approximately 18 million adults and 1.5 million children have been infected with HIV since the beginning of the pandemic.
- CATIE is named a partner in the Canadian AIDS Strategy on HIV/AIDS, funded by Health Canada. CATIE takes over the national treatment registry project and assumes a national role.
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| 1996 |
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| 1997 |
- The US reports that the number of AIDS-related deaths has dropped substantially for the first time.
- UNAIDS estimates that the number of people living with HIV is 30 million, much higher than previously thought. It is estimated that 1 in 100 people worldwide are living with HIV, with only 1 in 10 of those knowing they are infected.
- The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network is established.
- The Canadian Treatment Action Council is established.
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| 1998 |
- There is an explosive outbreak of HIV among injection drug users in Vancouver. The city becomes known as the place with the highest percentage of people living with HIV in the developed world.
- Doctors start to notice the first drug-resistant strains of HIV.
- Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is pioneered in San Francisco.
- The Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation is established.
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| 1999 |
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| 2000 |
- G8 Leaders endorse the International Development Targets for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
- The United Nations Secretary General creates the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
- CATIE changes its name to the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange.
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| 2001 |
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| 2002 |
- HIV becomes the leading cause of death worldwide in people aged 15–59 years.
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| 2003 |
- The WHO announces the “3 by 5” Initiative to bring treatment to 3 million people worldwide by 2005.
- The World Trade Organization grants developing countries the right to buy generic life-saving medications.
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| 2004 |
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| 2005 |
- Health Canada approves a rapid HIV antibody test for sale to health professionals in Canada, which enables point-of-care (POC) testing that can provide an accurate HIV antibody test result in two minutes.
- At the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, priorities include a focus on addressing HIV/AIDS in Africa and other hard hit regions of the world.
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| 2006 |
- The UN convenes a follow-up meeting and issues progress report on the implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS.
- The 16th International AIDS Conference is held in Toronto.
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| 2007 |
- The WHO and UNAIDS recommend that "male circumcision should always be considered as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention package."
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| 2008 |
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| 2009 |
- UNAIDS calls for the implementation of programs to work toward the virtual elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 2015.
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Living with HIV/AIDS
These are useful resources that highlight the experience of people living with HIV:
Managing your health – the new edition of the guide for people living with HIV
The Positive Side - life stories by and for people with HIV
Live Positive - a site for HIV-positive youth
Video interviews with people living with HIV from the English charity DIPex
Healthy Living Manual from the BC Persons With AIDS Society
CATIE’s Living with HIV webpage
Body Maps – Women with HIV who are leaders in the AIDS movement in their communities in Tanzania, Zambia, and Canada are coming together in workshops organized by CATIE and the Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative to create startling and beautiful body maps
Other web resources on living with HIV
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Canadian World AIDS Day events
Please let CATIE know if you are planning a World AIDS Day 2009 event by e-mailing us at info@catie.ca.
Alberta
Edmonton
Annual AIDS Memorial and Candlelight Vigil, Citadel Theatre
December 1st, 2009
One on One – Polaroid project exhibit with Ted Kerr, Play Nightclub
November 29, 2009
British Columbia
Prince George
Positive Living North – World AIDS Day Dinner and Candlelight Vigil
Fire Pit Cultural Drop-In Centre, 1114 3rd Avenue
December 1st, 2009
Vancouver
National Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week 2009: Leaders Gather to Discuss Aboriginal Access
The Coast Hotel, 1763 Comox Street
December 1st, 2009
Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation – Voices of Hope, National World AIDS Day Concert, Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver
December 1st, 2009
Positive Women’s Network – World AIDS Day Condom Blitz
December 1st, 2009
Nova Scotia
Halifax
AIDS Vigil, Micmac Native Friendship Centre
December 1st, 2009
Sydney
Candlelight Vigil, St. George's Church, Nepean Street
December 1st, 2009
Ontario
Mississauga
Peel HIV/AIDS Network Empowerment: Unwrap the Positive Side of Life – A World AIDS Day Celebration in Peel Region, Living Arts Centre, Rogers Theatre, 4141 Living Arts Drive
December 1st, 2009
Ottawa
AIDS Committee of Ottawa – World AIDS Day Community Event, Centretown and Market area
December 1st, 2009
Thunder Bay
AIDS Thunder Bay Second Annual World AIDS Day Breakfast
December 1st, 2009
Candle Light Vigil, St Andrews Presbyterian Church
December 1st, 2009
Toronto
6th Annual World AIDS Day Breakfast
December 1st, 2009
For information, contact Leah Stephenson (ph/fax: 416-422-0114, WADBreakfast09@gmail.com)
Proceeds support Voices of Positive Women and Blueprint for Action on Women and Girls and HIV/AIDS.
World AIDS Day Launch Party: Empower: Youth, Arts, and Activism – an HIV/AIDS Arts Activism Manual for Youth by Youth, William Doo Auditorium, New College, University of Toronto
November 26th, 2009
University of Toronto World AIDS Day 2009, Hart House, University of Toronto
December 1st, 2009
HIV, Housing and Health, Hart House, University of Toronto
December 1st, 2009
Community Carnation Memorial, 519 Church Street Community Centre
December 1st, 2009
Mapping Ourselves: an all day art exhibition featuring Body Maps from African and Canadian artists and Voices of Positive Women Harm Reduction Theatre Troupe, Queen West Community Health Centre, 168 Bathurst Street
December 1st, 2009
Africa’s Children, Africa’s Future: Spotlight on Action, a fundraiser to benefit children affected by AIDS, Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor Street West
December 1st, 2009
Voices of Hope National World AIDS Day Concert – Casey House, Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen Street East
December 1st, 2009
Quebec
Gatineau
Bureau Régional Action Sida (BRAS) – Vigile en commémoration des personnes décédées du VIH/sida, Dépanneur Sylvestre, 9 rue Fortier, secteur Hull
December 1st, 2009
Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD) – World AIDS Day event, CIDA lobby, 200 Promenade du Portage
December 1st, 2009
Montreal
Voices of Hope National World AIDS Day Concert – La maison du parc, St Andrew and St Paul Church
27 November, 2009
Saskatchewan
Saskatoon
Candle Light Vigil, St. Pauls United Church, 454 Egbert Avenue
December 1st, 2009
AIDS Saskatoon – AIDS Awareness Week Condom Blitz in conjunction with the Saskatoon Sexual Health Centre and the Saskatoon Health Region
Friday November 27th, 2009
AIDS Saskatoon – Glimmers of Hope Cake Celebration
December 1st, 2009
AIDS Saskatoon – presentation on the situation of AIDS in Saskatoon, followed by screening of the documentary Where the Water Meets the Sky, University of Saskatchewan Campus, Arts 241
December 1st, 2009
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Create your own campaign
Materials
Get the facts about HIV treatment!
World AIDS Day Materials in CATIE's Ordering Centre - recommended World AIDS Day educational resources including postcards, posters and brochures available on CATIE’s Ordering Centre
Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week - fact sheet, poster and booklet (2008) available for order in PDF format through the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network
HIV in Canada – How Do You See It? campaign from the Canadian AIDS Society
Canadian AIDS Society's Learning from Each Other: Enhancing Community-Based Harm Reduction Programs and Practices in Canada -
a series of four awareness raising posters that were developed with the photos and quotes obtained during a cross-Canada tour of community-based harm reduction programs and services
Media Campaigns
Workshops
CTAC – Tools for Action HIV/AIDS Treatment Access Advocacy Series (2006, 9 workshops)
Toolkits
World AIDS Day Media Tool Kit - includes tips and resources to organize a media campaign
International HIV/AIDS Alliance's Advocacy in action - a toolkit to support NGOs and CBOs
Education International's One Hour on AIDS - a tool kit designed for educators, providing resource materials and lessons plans to design a one-hour session on HIV in an international context
The Leading Together Toolkit: Putting Canada’s Plan on HIV/AIDS into Action
- Leading Together: Canada’s Takes Action on HIV/AIDS (2005 – 2010) is a blueprint for Canada-wide action on HIV/AIDS from now until 2010. It calls for consolidated action on all fronts, including governments, community, researchers, individuals and others involved in Canada's response to HIV/AIDS.
Leading Together presents specifically what needs to happen to achieve its bold vision, and sets out an ambitious coordinated nation-wide approach to tackling HIV and the underlying health and social issues that contribute to new infections and devastate the lives of people who are infected.
Leading Together is based on the knowledge and experience of people and organizations across Canada. It actively promotes strategies and actions that are making a difference. As Canada’s Action Plan on HIV/AIDS says “We know what has to be done. Now is the time to act.”
About the Toolkit: How can we keep Leading Together from being more than a document that sits on our shelves? How do we make it live in our work? How can we lead together to achieve our ambitious targets? This toolkit will help.
Each section describes how governments, organizations and programs across Canada are using the strategies and critical success factors to implement our strategies and achieve the desired outcomes. The toolkit also provides ideas and resources to help implement our made-in-Canada plan.
Business Tips
Business Action on AIDS - includes resources and recommendations on how businesses can take action on the HIV pandemic
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HIV/AIDS Resources
For information on HIV and AIDS in Canada and the rest of the world, check out these resources:
Canada
The Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative (CHVI), Canada’s contribution to the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, is a five-year collaborative initiative between the Government of Canada and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and represents a significant Canadian contribution to global efforts to develop a safe, effective, affordable and globally accessible HIV vaccine.
Canadian AIDS Aboriginal Network (CAAN)
Canadian AIDS Society (CAS)
Canadian Association for HIV Research (CAHR)
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network
Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN)
Canadian Treatment Action Council (CTAC)
Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation (CWGHR)
Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD)
Santé et services sociaux Québec
Youth-friendly sites
Live Positive - a site for HIV-positive youth
YouthCo AIDS Society - peer support and advice for Canadian youth
Spiderbytes - a teen page from the Planned Parenthood Federation of Canada
SexualityandU - sexuality education and information
teenwire.com - sexual health Web site for teens by Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Go Ask Alice - Columbia University’s health Q&A internet service
Sex, etc. - Rutgers University's “by teens, for teens” site
Global
 The AIDS Clock, created by UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) has been ticking since 1997.
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
World AIDS Campaign – Brochures and information about international events that are occurring around the world.
WHO and HIV/AIDS – As the directing and coordinating authority on international health, the World Health Organization (WHO) takes the lead within the UN system in the global health sector response to HIV/AIDS.
AIDS Medicines and Diagnostics Service (AMDS) – Universal access to prevention, treatment and care of HIV/AIDS requires a wide variety of HIV commodities including medicines for antiretroviral treatment, HIV diagnostics, condoms and others. The AMDS, a team in the WHO HIV/AIDS Department, is the secretariat of a network for supply management of HIV commodities and brokers cooperation between technical partners, funding agencies, manufacturing companies and other organizations.
Towards universal access: Scaling up priority HIV/AIDS interventions in the health sector also points to other gains. These include improved access to interventions aimed at preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT), expanded testing and counselling, and greater country commitment to male circumcision in heavily affected regions of sub-Saharan Africa.
Blueprint for Action on Women & Girls and HIV/AIDS is a multi-sector coalition of HIV-positive women, Canadian and international HIV/AIDS organizations, and a variety of women’s and reproductive rights groups advocating for better prevention, services and supports for women and girls infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
AVERT is an International HIV and AIDS charity based in the UK.
International HIV/AIDS Alliance is a global partnership of nationally-based organizations working to support community action on AIDS in developing countries.
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