World AIDS Day 2004 - 1 December 2004

National Society activities in Asia and Pacific

China
The Red Cross Society of China marked the day with activities to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and methods of HIV prevention. Volunteers and staff conducted seminars on campuses, youth peer education in communities and publicity campaigns. The executive vice-president of the Chinese Red Cross visited people living with HIV/AIDS in Hunan Province and a public event with speeches also took place.

Cook Islands
Starting on 27 November the week-long activities included an information booth, a quiz competition, drafting of ‘Flight of Hope’ balloon messages and a rito ribbon launch. A rito is the soft inner core leaf of the coconut tree top, boiled and dyed red to give the AIDS ribbon a local feel. Other activities included a photo booth, school visits, film screenings and a march. On 1 December, specially designed campaign t-shirts and rito ribbons were worn. Media coverage of the day was through a member of the CITV news broadcasting team.

East Asia Regional Delegation
The International Federation delegation in Beijing called for the newly instated law against the discrimination of people living with infectious diseases to be enforced firmly throughout the country, and for the enlightened recruitment standard - which is being considered to make people living with HIV/AIDS considerable for civil service - to be ratified. “What greater example could there be in the critical fight against stigma?” asked Alistair Henley, Head of the Federation’s East Asia delegation.

Hong Kong
A campaign called 'Respect Life' was launched consisting of a series of educational and promotional activities such as puppet shows, exhibition displays, game booths and messages of solidarity written on red ribbon cards and posted on a message board. An AIDS memorial quilt workshop was held leading to the production of six quilts for awareness activities and those designs being used to produce a calendar. HIV awareness was also raised through games and discussions.

India
Activities included a poster competition in schools on two themes: Children and AIDS and Youth and AIDS. The competition was launched in November and winners received their prizes on 1 December. Additionally, a public meeting and rally was organized and participants included Positive People’s Networks, NGO representatives, district collectors, authorities of the State AIDS Control Society and chief education officers. T-shirts and caps with the slogan ‘No Fear, No Stigma, No Discrimination’ in local languages were distributed.

Indonesia
For a month prior to the day, activities themed 'Women and girls against HIV/AIDS' were carried out and reached their peak on 1 December. The activities consisted of a seminar on HIV/AIDS treatment, an oral competition for female students in high schools as well as a banner design competition. Messages printed on red ribbons and stuck on flowers – the national symbol for a beautiful life (or make your life meaningful without HIV/AIDS) were distributed to visitors at malls, supermarkets, discotheques, café shops and red light districts. The distribution was done together with vulnerable groups such as homosexuals and transvestites.

On 1 December, a memorial night was organized with activities including sharing traditional jokes with HIV/AIDS messages, a quiz on HIV/AIDS and the candle light memorial. A press release was issued and a press conference was held on 16 December. HIV/AIDS stickers were additionally distributed to local buses and private cars and poem recitals and a march were also held. For a month from 26 November, a giant banner with 'Prevent the infection from mother to her child' and a giant balloon with 'You can get HIV' were hung at the National Society headquarters.

Korea
An HIV/AIDS campaign was organized in ten chapters starting on 28 November and ending on 7 December. The activities carried out included distribution of informational materials and condoms, quizzes, marches, photo exhibitions, a condom blowing competition and the creation of exhibition booths and trees of condoms. Additionally, a very successful concert was held to promote the rights of PLWHAs and showed a wonderful partnership between the National Society and PLWHA groups.

Lao
Under the theme 'Women, Girls and HIV/AIDS', World AIDS Day was observed with public talks, meetings, sports activities, question and answer sessions, games, fundraising activities and condom demonstrations. Throughout the month of December, posters and banners were exhibited and posted along the main streets. Together with partners an interview was conducted on national television on the HIV/AIDS situation in the country and how it affects women and girls. TV and radio spots were also produced and broadcast three days before the event. Additionally, a march was held with a banner that read 'Women and Girls should be protected from HIV/AIDS'.

Micronesia
The National Society observed World AIDS Day on 5 December with a parade. Five banners were made with messages related to the theme ‘Women, girls, HIV and AIDS’. Keeping in mind the theme, the majority of the speakers at the event were women. The event was attended by dignitaries and songs about HIV/AIDS and the Red Cross Red Crescent were performed by some of the women’s groups. There was extensive media coverage including a press release, a live radio interview, radio spots and video coverage of the day’s events.

Mongolia
In collaboration with the Mongolian Open Debate Association, a parliamentary open debate competition was held, focusing on the themes 'HIV/AIDS and Women' and 'Stigma and Discrimination against PLWHA'. Some 48 teams took part in the debate and each team consisted of two members, one of them acted as a prime minister and another one, as a member of parliament. At the end of each debate the teams came up with recommendations on the issues they debated.

Samoa
Two main activities: the ‘Candles in the Water Ceremony’ and a poster and craft presentation by women's groups and Red Cross youth volunteers were organized. The posters and crafts were on display during the official opening of the World AIDS Day in Samoa.

Thailand
The Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre organized its annual candle lght night with other partners. Fundraising campaigns were organized and Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali attended this event to meet with PLWHA, volunteers and those who work in the field of HIV. She lit a large candle decorated with a red cross and presented mementos and awards to donors and participated in a round-table discussion. A mass parade was supported by the regional delegation which provided t-shirts with anti-stigma messages. For HIV awareness, the National Society additionally organized a carnival, which included HIV/AIDS quizzes, games, selling of souvenirs and donations.

Tonga
More than 60 people attended the National Society’s 2004 World AIDS Day ceremony, held at the society’s national headquarters. The World AIDS Campaign theme was emphasised by the day’s predominantly female speakers. In addition, a short play was presented, a minute's silence was observed and the Tongan video ‘Play Safe’ was launched. The World Health Organization provided the booklet 'Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS – Advocacy Note' to participants and the ceremony was broadcast on television and radio.

Vietnam
As a part of the National Societies communication campaign and under the theme: 'Women, Girls and HIV/AIDS', World AIDS Day was observed on 30 November. PLWHAs and their families were in attendance along with national society staff and volunteers. After the delivery of speeches, representatives of the National Society and the Federation visited a hospital to give presents to PLWHA. Other activities included marches, a competition on HIV/AIDS knowledge, presentations and a lunch party for PLWHA. The activities received wide-spread media coverage in print and electronic media.