Momentum building for accountability
Khairuzzaman Kamal
Each year, World AIDS day is observed on the first day of December. It is an international commemoration and is observed all over the world to demonstrate solidarity and preparedness for the world's most devastating disease that mankind has ever face. The main reasons for observing World AIDS day are: showing commitment; showing solidarity and support for HIV/AIDS survivors; accounting for the progress made; and planning for the future. It is about people getting the facts about HIV and AIDS, and to get involved to prevent, share and care and become responsive. The World AIDS Campaign has named "accountability" as the global theme for World AIDS Day 2006. Thousands of campaigns around the world are preparing local and national events to raise awareness of HIV, and to call on leaders to keep the promises they have made to tackle the AIDS pandemic. "Actions taken by governments this year will determine the global response to AIDS for years to come," states Marcel van Soest, executive director of the World AIDS Campaign. The theme of accountability, with the slogan "Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise," was chosen in consultation with civil society campaigns to stress the critical need to meet current commitments to increase the global response to AIDS, and reach universal access to treatment, care, and prevention by 2010. Currently, governments are supposed to be engaged in a target-setting process for universal access called for in a political declaration unanimously approved by the United Nations General Assembly on June 2. However, there have been serious questions about the lack of clarity in the process, which is due to be completed at the end of the year. Civil society groups are maintaining pressure on governments to actively set national targets through an inclusive and transparent process. "This World AIDS Day will show us whether we are on track to reversing the spread of HIV and AIDS, or through failed promises by individuals, communities and nations, we will continue to see HIV spread in every country," states van Soest. Selected campaign ehighlights
India --- In the city of Pune, where HIV prevalence is twice the national average, a broad coalition of organisations and groups is planning an intensive 10-day awareness raising campaign called "Wake Up Pune!" including a demonstration involving over 50,000 young people on November 26 . South Africa --- The Treatment Action Campaign of South Africa plans to mobilise tens of thousands of people to march to the Parliament in South Africa on December 1. They demand that the promise of universal access to treatment, prevention, care and support services by 2010 is kept in South Africa and globally. Trade unions --- The International Federation of Transport Workers is launching an HIV and AIDS Campaign among its members on December 1. As part of their campaign material, a new documentary, "Highway of Hope," highlights the seriousness of the HIV and AIDS crisis affecting transport workers in the northern corridor covering Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. Faith communities --- The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance is encouraging faith communities worldwide to hold special worship services to mark World AIDS Day, and is promoting an ecumenical liturgy and action ideas on "Keep the Promise." The World AIDS Campaign supports, strengthens and connects campaigns that hold leaders accountable for their promises on HIV and AIDS. "Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise" is the World AIDS Campaign from 2005-2010. The campaign secretariat is based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Yes: Calls for Accountability: STOP AIDS - KEEP THE PROMISE; the choice of this year's theme of WORLD AIDS DAY is a timely one; one at a time when we are counting on promises being kept; one that is appealing to governments and policy makers to ensure that the targets are met in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The World AIDS Day has gone a long way. Starting in the midst of denial, with "Communication"(1988) as its reach out theme to "Youth"(1989) being the vulnerable group along side "Women & AIDS"(1990). It has interest in "Sharing the Challenge"(1991) and "Community Commitment"(1992). This was a global call for everyone to "Act"(1993) and look at "AIDS and the Family"(1994). With great revelations we had "Shared Right, Shared Responsibilities(1995) praying for "One World, One Hope"(1996). The 9th edition saw "Children living in a World with AIDS"(1997) and extend a "Force to Change"(1998) to "Listen, Learn, Live"(1999). The new millenium was ushered in as "AIDS Men make a Difference"(2000), wishing to know if "I Care Do You?"(2001). When it was clear that we never cared , "Stigma & Discrimination"(2002-2003) was seen as a problem. Globally "Women, Girls, HIV & AIDS" (2004) got special attention alongside youths (the high risk group). Past World AIDS Day themes have been:
2005-Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise 2004 - Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS 2003 - Stigma & Discrimination 2002 - Stigma & Discrimination 2001 - I care. Do you? 2000 - AIDS : Men make a difference 1999 - Listen, Learn, Live: World AIDS Campaign with Children & Young People 1998 - Force for Change: World AIDS Campaign With Young People 1997 - Children Living in a World with AIDS 1996 - One World, One Hope 1995 - Shared Rights, Shared Responsibilities 1994 - AIDS & the Family 1993 - Act 1992 - Community Commitment 1991 - Sharing the Challenge 1990 - Women & AIDS 1989 - Youth 1988 - Communication Khairuzzaman Kamal is a journalist and Executive Director Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum-BMSF.
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