Welcome to the inaugural issue of Know More newsletter, a monthly UNICEF publication for development professionals that chronicles the latest news in the global fight against child HIV/AIDS. By signing up for our free newsletter, you will receive monthly updates related to the UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS global campaign, and hear about events, actions and programs taking place around the world. Please take a moment to forward this newsletter to your friends and colleagues who wish to stay up-to-date on issues and programs related to child HIV/AIDS. They can sign up to receive the Know More newsletter directly by clicking here: http://www.unicef.org/uniteforchildren/knowmore/knowmore_signup.php
UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS Campaign Kicks Off at UN Headquarters
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman, UNAIDS Executive Director Peter Piot and other dignitaries gathered at the United Nations headquarters in New York on October 25, 2005 to officially launch the UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS campaign The campaign aims to put children and their needs at the forefront of the global fight against the HIV/AIDS. Events included a technical roundtable, to discuss the latest medical information on the disease, and a young person’s roundtable, which brought together five young people from around the world to discuss how their lives have been personally impacted by HIV. For more information on the day’s events and speakers, click here:
http://www.unicef.org/uniteforchildren/knowmore/knowmore_29440.htm and here: http://www.unicef.org/uniteforchildren/knowmore/knowmore_29442.htm
Winning Design Unveiled for International Advertising Competition
The winning poster design of an international advertising competition to promote UNICEF’s Unite for Children campaign was chosen on October 27. The winning design depicts a child’s drawing of two graves, marked by crosses, and a girl, with the words ‘Mommy, Daddy, me’. UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman said the poster illustrates the disproportionate impact of the AIDS pandemic on children. “We often speak about what children are missing because of AIDS,” Ms. Veneman said. “They are missing their parents and caregivers, missing the childhood they deserve, missing their future.” The poster, chosen from 300 entries, was created by Bester Burke, a South African ad agency. It will be seen on billboards in 50 countries as part of the first outdoor advertising campaign of its type. For more information, click here: http://www.unicef.org/uniteforchildren/knowmore/knowmore_29526.htm
The Big Picture: Children, HIV/AIDS and the ‘Four Ps’
HIV/AIDS is causing untold human suffering. In some countries, it is also reversing decades of development progress. By the end of 2002, 42 million people were living with HIV/AIDS, including almost 12 million young people between 15 and 24 and more than three million children under the age of 15. In 2002 alone, AIDS killed more than 2.5 million adults and 610,000 children. Yet increased HIV prevention could save 29 million people from infection by 2010 and bring down HIV infection rates among young people by a quarter. That’s why the UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS campaign is working to provide a child-focused framework for nationally owned programs around the ‘Four Ps’ - urgent imperatives that can make a real difference in the lives and life chances of children affected by HIV/AIDS. Learn more about the campaign objectives here: http://www.unicef.org/uniteforchildren/knowmore/knowmore_28757.htm
Or download a PDF copy of 'A Call to Action: Children the missing face of AIDS', a document detailing the UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS Campaign here: http://www.unicef.org/uniteforchildren/knowmore/files/U77HIV_letter.pdf
Human-Interest: Father’s Death Spurs Lifetime Commitment to Fighting AIDS
Among the young people who spoke at the campaign launch in New York on October 25 was 20-year-old Kerril McKay of Jamaica. McKay grew up knowing her father was HIV-positive; as she grew older, his health deteriorated, and caring for her father defined her childhood. After his death from AIDS five years ago, McKay struck bottom—even contemplating suicide at one point. But she found solace-- and hope-- from a woman at Jamaica AIDS Support, and eventually the death of her father led to her ongoing commitment to fighting AIDS. She is now the President of the Portland AIDS Committee Adult Group. Read Kerril McKay’s story in her own words here: http://www.unicef.org/uniteforchildren/makeadifference/makediff_29328.htm
Know More Online
Since the campaign launch in New York on October 25th, nearly a dozen countries—from Kenya to Switzerland, and from India to New Zealand—have launched nation-level UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS campaigns. You can read about these campaigns, and get the latest news from around the world on the global fight against HIV/AIDS, by visiting the “News and Features” section of the Know More website: http://www.unicef.org/uniteforchildren/knowmore/knowmore_28652.htm
Thank You.
UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS
For every child
Health, Education, Equality, Protection
ADVANCE HUMANITY
