World AIDS Day, December 1, 2008

December 1, 2008 marked the 20th World AIDS Day. The dire need to respond to HIV and AIDS continues: worldwide the estimated number of people living with HIV is over 33 million; in the U.S., an estimated one million Americans are living with HIV. To mark the occasion, JSI engaged in several awareness-raising activities.

JSI sponsored a panel presentation, "Perspectives on the AIDS Pandemic and the Importance of Continuing Out Commitment," at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. JSI's Eric Takang co-moderated the panel with Callisto Madavo of Georgetown University. Steve Radelet, a Senior Fellow at the Center for Global Development, discussed the challenges and importance of sustaining the US investment in global HIV and the public health issues in the face of the current economic crisis. Stef Bertozzi, a recent candidate for the UNAIDS Director post and Executive Director a.i. of the Center for Evaluation Research and Surveys at the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) in Mexico, stressed the need for solid evaluations to ensure the effective use of scarce funds. Susan Forbes, a media communications expert, shared compelling footage from the field, noting the need for well-crafted stories from the field to facilitate media coverage in order to engage public support for the US investment in global HIV and AIDS. Over 70 people attended the session, which complemented other high-profile activities in and around Washington that looked at issues surrounding international HIV pandemic on World AIDS Day.

In support of the aids.gov website—which provides information from the Federal government about HIV & AIDS prevention, testing, treatment, research, and using new media in response to HIV—JSI encouraged colleagues and friends to join aids.gov in four ways to take action for World AIDS Day:

1. Join "Facing AIDS for World AIDS Day" - A Social Network Anti-Stigma and HIV Testing Campaign
2. Participate in "Bloggers Unite on World AIDS Day" - A Blogging Call to Action
3. Promote HIV Testing - via Text Messaging or Online
4. Attend the World AIDS Day Event in Second Life - Presentations, Displays, and More