Wise Up and Wear It

Pupils at the Knowledge and Service Secondary School in Accra, Ghana, take part in a workshop about HIV and AIDS [Annie Bungeroth]

World AIDS Day 2005 is about wearing the Red Ribbon, as a sign of support for people living with HIV and a symbol of hope for the future, and reminding us all that HIV is an issue for everyone.

CAFOD supports a wide range of projects across the world which help those affected by HIV and AIDS, and aims to deal with the whole spectrum of the life-changing consequences of the virus.

CAFOD believes that personal testimonies are a vital way of breaking down prejudice against and fear of people living with AIDS.

HIV and AIDS is one of the biggest threats to our work in development. Some 40 million people worldwide are living with HIV and AIDS, and every day there are 15,000 new HIV infections. Of these, 95 per cent are in developing countries.

The epidemic, fuelled by poverty, is lowering life expectancy and undermining development in many countries.

Education, prevention, and care

CAFOD supports a wide range of HIV projects and programmes in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.

The programmes CAFOD supports involve education and prevention as well as care for people living with HIV and AIDS. They involve people living with HIV as active participants and not only receivers of services and care.

Jo Maher, CAFOD’s HIV knowledge & network co-ordinator, says: “There is an inseparable link between prevention and care. Any care, treatment, psychosocial or livelihoods initiative that improves the physical health and economic and emotional wellbeing of people infected and affected by HIV are valid and valuable prevention efforts.

“These initiatives enable people to contribute to the stability and further development of families and communities by preventing further decline into poverty and reducing stigma. Both of which are factors that fuel the epidemic.”

ICASA 2005

The 14th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), a biennial event, is organised and owned by the Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA).

It brings together African scientists, social leaders, political leaders and communities to share their experiences and current trends in the management of HIV, AIDS and STIs from an African perspective.

The two-year period from one ICASA meeting to another is used by each country to hold regional conferences and workshops on HIV/ AIDS and STIs.

Through the conference, the continent is able to take stock and analyse various responses and their impact on the management of HIV, AIDS and STIs in Africa. It also helps scientists to learn more about what is happening in other African countries.

take action

Advent Appeal 2008 CAFOD Advent Appeal: 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