LISTEN,LEARN, LIVE!

The theme for the 12th annual World AIDS Day is 'Children & Young People: Listen, Learn, Live'. This theme reflects the fact that reaching out to children and young people is considered by many people to be the most promising strategy for reducing the spread of HIV worldwide. Also, as Dr. Piot, the director of UNAIDS (United Nations joint programme for HIV & AIDS) has said "adults spend too much time telling young people what to do without listening to what they need".

 

Positive Lives supports the UNAIDS intention of building on the past two years themes, (1997 featured children living in a world with AIDS and in 1998 the theme highlighted young people as a force for change). The aims of this year’s campaign are made clear in the following words downloaded directly from the UNAIDS website:

 

Listen to children and young people, hear their views and concerns, and understand what is important in their lives.

Learn  from one another about respect, participation, support, and ways to prevent HIV infection

Live in a world where the rights of children and young people are protected and where those living with HIV/AIDS are cared for and do not suffer from discrimination.

Positive Lives believes that communication can help people to deal with and even overcome harmful behaviour and attitudes. Positive Lives believes that communication can help create awareness of HIV & AIDS, get across the facts and build survival skills. Communication can create strong bonds between generations; bonds that have been proven to help children and young people survive and thrive in a world with HIV & AIDS. In support of these objectives, this edition of Positive Lives is devoted to World AIDS Day 1999.