COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS- BARODA

WORLD AIDS DAY 2010

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"It is bad enough that people are dying of AIDS, but no one should die of ignorance."  - World Aids Day Quotes by Elizabeth Taylor

"Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness, to pull another hand into the light."  - World Aids Day Quotes by Norman B. Rice

World Aids Day is observed on December 1st each year.

The theme for the WORLD AIDS DAY is “ACT AWARE”.

AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome), one of the most dreaded diseases of humanity has spread to every part of the world. First infection was reported in 1981 among homosexuals in USA. In India it was found in 1986 among commercial sex workers from Chennai. Aids has killed more than 25 million people from 1981 to 2007 and an estimated 33.2 million people worldwide live with HIV as of 2007, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history.

On this day we are called to:

·         Spread awareness about AIDS.

·         Work towards prevention, treatment and care.

·         Respect the dignity of every person especially those who are affected.

·         Remove myths and misconceptions about AIDS.

·         Help in every way possible those who are affected. 

·         Promote basic knowledge of prevention of transmission of HIV/AIDS.

·         Be loving, empathetic, listening. Avoid being prejudiced & judgemental.

The impact of HIV / AIDS on humans is tremendous:

·         It hinders human development.

·         It has devastating effects on individuals and families.

·         It decreases economic and social progress.

·         It reduces life expectancy be decades.

·         It increases poverty.

·         It affects government revenue and expenditure.

·         It increases expenditure. Children have to work to care for the family.

Let us in our own little way help making people aware of the great epidemic and Act to prevent it. St. Paul in his letter to the Romans 12,1 says: “I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living sacrifice – the kind he will accept (Romans 12,1). Let us pray to the good Lord for all those suffering from this disease and from the stigma and rejection they receive from their beloved ones and members of the society. May all respect the dignity of the human person and help alleviate the sufferings of out brothers and sisters. For the Lord who promised us : “whatsoever you do to the least of my people that you do unto me” bless us to see Christ like Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta in all the suffering people of God.    

For, Diocesan Commission for Social Communications (Socom-Baroda)

Fr. Lawrence Rodrigues

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World AIDS Day Themes 1988 – 2010

1988	Communication
1989	Youth
1990	Women and AIDS
1991	Sharing the Challenge
1992	Community Commitment
1993	Act
1994	AIDS and the Family
1995	Shared Rights, Shared Responsibilities
1996	One World. One Hope
1997	Children Living in a World with AIDS
1998	Force for Change: World AIDS Campaign With Young People
1999	Listen, Learn, Live: World AIDS Campaign with Children & Young People
2000	AIDS: Men Make a Difference
2001	I care. Do you?
2002	Stigma and Discrimination
2003	Stigma and Discrimination
2004	Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS
2005	Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise
2006	Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise - Accountability
2007	Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise - Leadership
2008	Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise - Lead - Empower - Deliver
2009	Universal Access and Human Rights
2010	Act Aware