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PSI Marks World AIDS Day Around the Globe
WASHINGTON, DC, December 4, 2006 — PSI and its affiliates around the
world marked World AIDS Day with the theme "Stop AIDS. Keep
the Promise."
Nigeria
Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo launched Society for Family
Health’s Peer Education Plus (PEP) model in Abuja on World AIDS Day.
Society for Family Health, PSI’s local affiliate in Nigeria, developed
the PEP model and branded it “Make We Talk.” It is an evidence-based,
theory driven and cost-effective approach to HIV programming that
has evolved in partnership with ActionAid International under the
Promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS reduction program
in Nigeria.
Cambodia
To mark World AIDS Day, PSI/Cambodia worked with the Cambodian Ministry
of Posts and Telecommunications and the National AIDS Authority to
launch a series of “HIV/AIDS Prevention Program” postal stamps. The
three stamps celebrate the role of PSI’s Number One condom in the
fight against HIV in Cambodia. Each features a Cambodian icon: a
bicycle rickshaw, the annual Water Festival and a rice farming couple.
The Royal Government of Cambodia enlisted PSI/Cambodia as a key partner
in its 100% Condom Use Program, which, according to a 2003 UNAIDS report,
has helped stem the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Costs for the subsidized brand
have been generously supported by international donors including the
United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the British
Department of International Development (DIFD) and the Global Fund
for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Zimbabwe
Between November 20 and December 2 all “New Start” voluntary testing
and counseling centers provided free services. To promote the program
and address barriers related to stigma, PSI/Zimbabwe produced a mass
media campaign with the theme “Show You Know.” The campaign was produced
for television, radio and national newspapers, and was funded by
Coca-Cola Africa Foundation, DFID and USAID.
PSI/Zimbabwe also sponsored a screening of the South African documentary
film The Mother’s House, with all proceeds going to the Mbuya Nehanda
Children’s Home. The film won Best Documentary at the Cape Town World
Cinema Festival in 2006.
Central Asia
PSI/Kazhakstan held a press conference and a roundtable with the participation
of international and local non-governmental organizations and state
AIDS organizations. Educational events were held at youth centers,
schools and universities. Red light districts and those working in
the commercial sex industry were also targeted with educational events
and programming.
In Kyrgystan, the PSI’s CAPACITY Youth Power Centers supplemented
educational information with games, theater, quizzes and awards to
reach local college students.
Dominican Republic
PSI/Dominican Republic (PSI/DR) hosted a conference at the Universidad
Autónoma
de Santo Domingo as a component of the national health authorities’
program activities for World AIDS Day. Other participating organizations
included the Minister of Health and the Presidential Council
on AIDS.
The conference stressed the importance of proper nutrition to prevent
the rapid onset of AIDS in HIV patients and maintain health in conjunction
with antiretroviral treatment. Panelists emphasized nutrition as a
means to counter the side effects of antiretroviral treatment and as
an effective way to prevent infection and promote a healthy lifestyle.
Dr. Adriana Campa, leading international researcher in the area of
HIV and nutrition, highlighted results of recent studies that revealed
the impact of certain vitamins, minerals and protein on the course
of development of the virus. These same micronutrients are included
in PSI/DR´s upcoming product VitalDia Snack — local
sweets fortified with protein, vitamins and minerals.
YouthAIDS
PSI Board Member and YouthAIDS Global Ambassador Ashley Judd was featured
in a documentary that aired on TLC on World AIDS Day. Ashley Judd
and YouthAIDS: Confronting the Pandemic followed Judd and her friend
and Mexican actress Salma Hayek on an unforgettable 10-day journey
through Central America in early May 2006. The film also aired in
Asia and Latin America.
PSI’s Cause-Related Marketing initiative YouthAIDS organized a fundraising
campaign entitled “Kick Me” with a focus on grassroots student outreach.
Highlights included campus visits from YouthAIDS Ambassador Ludacris
at UCLA, Northwestern University, Columbia University and George Washington
University.
YouthAIDS corporate partner Kiehl’s sponsored a “Shop for a Cause”
event on World AIDS Day. Kiehl’s donated 100% of the retail price of
every product purchased during a two hour shopping event in all 23
stores across the U.S.
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