Leadership begins with individuals

UK Stop AIDS Campaign event outside parliament, against a backdrop of a giant red ribbon made up of 6,000 red carnations - each flower marking one person who dies of an AIDS related illnesses every day [Stop AIDS Campaign]

Read about the activities around the world featuring CAFOD staff and partners to highlight the issues surrounding World AIDS Day

A livesimply Advent service with Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor was held in Westminster Cathedral by the Brentwood, Arundal & Brighton, Westminster and Southwark diocesan offices.

Although not a World AIDS Day focused event, the organisers took the chance to highlight some of CAFOD’s work with partners on HIV and AIDS – and how HIV impacts on all the work we are doing.

CAFOD staff attended a UK Stop AIDS Campaign event outside the UK Parliament, against a backdrop of a giant red ribbon made up of 6000 red carnations - each flower marking one person who dies of an AIDS related illnesses every day.

The event was held to lobby MPS and call on the UK government to provide the means to keep its promise for universal access to treatment, care and support and prevention by 2010.

It featured engaging speeches from Siphiwe Hlophe (Swaziland Positive Living), David Bull (UNICEF UK), Daleep Mukarji (Christian Aid) and Douglas Alexander (DfID).

Around 64 MPs came down to Parliament Square to be lobbied, including the development spokespeople from the three main parties, the acting leader of the Liberal Democrats, and the Chair of the International Development Select Committee.

CAFOD Wales organised an ecumenical Advent service marking the day, and reflecting on more than 20 years of CAFOD’s work on HIV across the developing world. This included a special World AIDS Day liturgy.

Around the world

Pelavidda, a CAFOD partner in Brazil, developed a banner to mark World AIDS Day. It translates as "We are all affected by HIV and AIDS. 1st December: day of struggle and solidarity".

VIHas de Vida, a CAFOD partner in Mexico, worked with local church groups and got a radio slot, inviting listeners to join its events for the day.

These ranged from prayers and liturgy devoted to the theme of leadership, to the distribution of 2,000 red ribbons, bicycle races, and a rally with everyone wearing white T-shirts and red ribbons.

Members of the CAFOD/Trocaire Ethiopia office visited AHOPE AIDS orphanage in Addis to learn more about this area of work to share learning for CAFOD programmes.

AHOPE is home to 31 children who have been orphaned by AIDS and are HIV positive. The children range in age from five months to 11 years old.

With the help of ARVs and dedicated medical staff within AHOPE, the kids there are living healthier lives and had bags of energy to prove it.

CAFOD partner Caritas Dili in East Timor focused its activities on prevention messages to young people in rural areas, as there is very limited knowledge about HIV and AIDS.

The Dili diocese distributed thousands of brochures in the local Tetum language to educate young people on the dangers of contracting HIV.

In Bangladesh, CAFOD partner Ashar Alo Society participated in a variety of activities. There was an awareness raising rally with government and other NGOs, training for health service providers, and working with the media on human rights issues related to people living with HIV.

Continuing the fight

For those of you who have already signed the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance e-action to support better treatment for children living with HIV – there has already been some success.

A feedback letter from Bristol-Myers Squibb shows that they are taking notice of these actions, and that they know they are being watched! If you haven’t yet signed up you can still do so below.

You can also take action by signing up to this new livesimply promise to find out more about CAFOD's HIV and AIDS work and raise awareness with friends and family.

take action

Advent Appeal 2008 Please send a message of support to kids this Advent at a special school run by a CAFOD partner

Shine a light in the darkness Please sign our petition calling on the world's largest mining company to listen to communities in the Philippines worried about the effect mining will have on their land - plus send a personal message of solidarity to the people of Macambol

Buy a World Gift Browse our new range of alternative gifts that act as two presents in one – something for you to give to friends or a relative, while the real gift changes the life of someone living in poverty