worldaidsdayDecember 1, 1988 was declared as the first ‘World AIDS Day’.  The objective is to raise money and awareness, fight prejudice and improve education. World AIDS Day is important to remind people that HIV has not disappeared, and there is still much to do.

The theme of World AIDS Day 2011 is “Getting to Zero.” After 30 years, the global fight against HIV / AIDS this year sees the global community committing itself to focus on achieving three objectives between now and 2015:

“Zero new HIV infections. Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS-related deaths”,

In 2009, there were 2.6 million new HIV infections and 1.8 million people died of AIDS.

Differences between regions, countries, provinces and communities show parallels and variances the global HIV epidemic is very diverse and striving to meet the challenge of “getting to zero” requires the international community to work together to achieve universal access to prevention, treatment and care.

World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for all of us – individuals, communities and political leaders – to accept the challenge to reach zero.

If you feel an urge to improve your knowledge on the disease, a good place to start is finding a local event in which to participate. Throughout the world there are hundreds of activities taking place on the occasion of World AIDS Day, including the candle vigils, art shows, parades and religious services. If you find nothing in your area why not organise an event yourself?

The red ribbon is the international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around World AIDS Day to show care and concern for HIV and AIDS, and to remind others need their support and commitment.  The red ribbon began with a fundamental aim, to unite people in supporting the cause, so there is no need to spend on a large scale to show you care, all you need to do is use common red ribbon and a pin!

Recent years has endorsed an overall steady decline in the rate of new HIV infections as is evidenced by a 25 % drop between 2001 and 2009. But with 7,000 new HIV infections each day, the rate of people infected is still higher than the capacity to expand access to treatment and to cope with the effects of HIV.

It is imperative to create a favourable legal environment for HIV prevention as well as to address the punitive laws that create barriers to HIV prevention.

Investments in HIV prevention will represent only about 22% of the costs of HIV in 106 low-and middle-income countries. Of course it remains to be done so that the vision of new HIV infections is reached.

According to the most recent population-based studies of low-and middle-income countries, only 24% of girls and 36% of young people answered the question correctly five questions on HIV prevention and misconceptions about HIV transmission. Even if the world’s new HIV infections are reduced, Eastern Europe and Central Asia are the only regions in the world, where new HIV infections are increasing.

In conclusion, concerted effort and focus will bring the world closer to achieving the goals for the next four years.