NANE ANNAN TO OPEN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION ON HIV, AIDS–RELATED STIGMA

Note to Correspondents

NANE ANNAN TO OPEN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION ON HIV, AIDS–RELATED STIGMA

On 1 December, World AIDS Day, the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA), in conjunction with UNAIDS will launch a poster exhibition, “Signs of Hope, Steps for Change”, featuring artwork created in over 23 countries addressing the stigma and discrimination suffered by those living with HIV and AIDS. 

Mrs. Nane Annan will be present and will share some thoughts about the importance of this exhibition.  In addition, special guests, including Kathleen Cravero, Deputy Executive Director of UNAIDS, and Rev. Robert Vitillo, President of the National Catholic AIDS Network, will address how this extraordinary effort marks an important step in challenging people of faith to speak out against HIV and AIDS-related stigma and discrimination. 

The exhibition represents the feelings and emotions of children, youth and adults all over the world. They represent the concerns, fears and hopes of people in the face of HIV and AIDS. They document the experiences of stigma and discrimination.  Several of the artists, representing Armenia, Finland, Indonesia, Israel, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, and the Sudan will be travelling to New York in conjunction with the exhibition.  These artists, some as young as nine years old, will be present for the opening and will be available to discuss what this project has meant for them as they link their faith with their belief in the right to be free from stigma and discrimination. 

The posters that will be on exhibit may be previewed at:  www.e-alliance.ch/postercd

The EAA is also collaborating on the World AIDS Day observance “Live and Let Live” at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine at 7:30 p.m. on Monday 1 December. The event, organized by UNAIDS and its co-sponsors, the United Nations Department of Public Information, African Services Committee and Church World Service, is being held to combat HIV-related stigma and discrimination.  Artists from several countries will join HIV advocates to show their commitment to the response to AIDS for an evening of poetry, music and messages.

This exhibit is produced in cooperation with UNAIDS, UNICEF, World Council of Churches, FinnChurchAid, Church World Service, International AIDS Society, Interchurch Organization for Development Co-operation, Norwegian Church Aid, World Vision International, CORE Initiative, and the World YWCA and with the generous support of Pictorico and Duggal Visual Solutions.

Exhibits at the United Nations Public Lobby are organized by the Department of Public Information’s Exhibits Unit (Web site:  www.un.org/events/UNART).

For more information, contact:  Shawn Gaylord, tel:  202-746-0174; Jan Arnesen, tel:  212-963-8531 or Carolina Ramirez, tel:  212-963-1176 (United Nations Exhibits).

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