Welcome to the December issue of the Know More e-newsletter, a monthly UNICEF publication for development professionals that chronicles the latest news in the global fight against child HIV/AIDS.
UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS Marks World AIDS Day
The UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS campaign held events in several countries in the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe to commemorate the 18th annual World AIDS Day on December 1st. In New York, six of UNICEF’s most well-known Goodwill Ambassadors—including David Beckham, Whoopi Goldberg and Liam Neeson—added their support to the AIDS campaign through a series of television public service announcements.
For more information on the day’s events and the PSAs, visit: http://www.unicef.org/uniteforchildren/knowmore_30273.htmand http://www.unicef.org/uniteforchildren/knowmore/knowmore_30265.htm
Russia to Spend $1 Billion on HIV/AIDS Program Over 5 Years
At the November launch of the Russian chapter of the UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS Campaign in Moscow, Deputy Health and Social Development Minister Vladimir Starodubov announced that the Russian government will allocate about $1 billion for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention programs over the next five years. The federal budget will assign $600 million, Starodubov said, with the balance coming from the regional budget and other sources, including the global fund.
For more on this story and other latest news, visit the campaign Press Centre at: http://www.unicef.org/uniteforchildren/press/press_30077.htm
Fact Sheet: The AIDS Pandemic and Children in Latin America and the Carribean
Did you know that with an average HIV prevalence of 2.3 percent, the Caribbean is the region of the world with the second highest prevalence of HIV, after Sub-Saharan Africa? In fact, 2.1 million persons are living with HIV/AIDS in Latin America and the Caribbean; every hour of every day, 33 people in the region are infected with the HIV.
To learn more about the impact of the AIDS Pandemic on Children in Latin America and the Carribean, visit: http://www.unicef.org/uniteforchildren/knowmore/knowmore_30107.htm
Framework for the Protection, Care and Support of Orphans and Vulnerable Children
(Available Online)
If you haven’t yet had a chance to browse the Know More section of UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS website, be sure to check out our section on policy papers of interest to development professionals. Among the recent additions is The Framework for the Protection, Care and Support of Orphans and Vulnerable Children Living in a World with HIV and AIDS. A broad range of stakeholders collaborated to produce the Framework, which is targeted to senior leaders and decision makers around the world who can influence policies, programmes and resources directed to orphans and vulnerable children.
To download your copy of the Framework and other relevant documents in PDF format, visit the Know More policy section at: http://www.unicef.org/uniteforchildren/knowmore/knowmore_28834.htm
Update: Campaign Kickoff Speaker Publishes Story in Newsweek
Last month, we wrote to tell you about Kerril McKay, the 20-year-old Jamaican woman whose father’s death from AIDS spurred her lifetime commitment to fighting AIDS. Ms. McKay captivated attendees at the October 25th campaign launch in New York, where she spoke before Secretary-General Kofi Annan, UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman and hundreds of guests. Now her story is enjoying an even wider reception: Newsweek magazine recently published an essay by Ms. McKay in its “My Turn” column. “I was 9 years old when I found out my father was ill,” the essay begins. “It was 1994, but I can remember my mother's words as if it were yesterday….”
For more, visit: http://www.unicef.org/uniteforchildren/knowmore/knowmore_30039.htm
Are You Listening?—Campaign Ringtones Available On Your Mobile Phone
As part of our effort to engage young people (and music fans) around the world in the fight against child HIV/AIDS, the UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS campaign has made a series of hip-hop ringtones available for free download on the campaign website. Featuring compositions by Brooklyn rap artist IMAGZ, the ringtones are a great way to “put the call out against AIDS.”
To hear a sample of the ringtones, or download a copy directly to your own mobile, visit: http://www.unicef.org/uniteforchildren/makeadifference/makediff_30052.htm
Thank You.
UNICEF
For every child
Health, Education, Equality, Protection
ADVANCE HUMANITY
