How to Plan World AIDS Day Activities 2011:
Faith Community Tips
How to Plan Activities
Selected Resources for World AIDS Day
Hotline References
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How to Plan World AIDS Day Activities 2011 -- Faith Communities
World AIDS Day is not merely a one-day event, but rather serves as a “kick-off” for the forthcoming year to enable individuals, communities, organizations and businesses to become involved in the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS and for the promotion of new or existing HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, testing and care programs. It is also a time to reflect, memorialize and show compassion for those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.
The World AIDS Campaign's Global Steering Committee selects a theme for World AIDS Day in consultation with several agencies involved in the AIDS response. The theme from 2011 – 2015 will be, “Getting to Zero.” Specific localities are encouraged to develop their own relevant activities and messages to help build HIV/AIDS awareness for their local areas in November or December. To help observe World AIDS Day, please refer to the following suggested activities:
- Obtain information about religion and AIDS online from the AIDS Librarian.
- Hold a candlelight service of celebration and remembrance for those affected by HIV/AIDS; contact your local AIDS ministry and coordinate to involve other congregations and faith communities
- Encourage your religious leaders to speak about AIDS discrimination and stigma, or observe a moment of silence in sermons
- Focus on the impact of AIDS during religious education programs; invite people living with HIV/AIDS to speak; coordinate with local AIDS ministries or community-based organizations
- Contact the national office of your religious affiliation and ask for information about what is happening within your national religious organization with regard to HIV/AIDS programs and policies
- Start a service program: members of your congregation can work with a local AIDS group to provide meals, transportation, shelter, companionship, or other services to people living with HIV/AIDS
- Bring the AIDS Memorial Quilt to your congregation. Contact the NAMES Project at (404) 688-5500; www.aidsquilt.org Attention: Non-MDH link
- Start an AIDS ministry within your congregation or with others in your community
- Announce local World AIDS Day related events, meetings, and worship/healing services:
- in bulletins, newsletters, websites and E-mail messages
- in congregational worship services and other gatherings
- post information about your World AIDS Day activities on your blogs, Facebook and Twitter accounts, and other social media outlets
- Create within your congregation an environment of openness and support by:
- being available to listen to persons infected or affected by HIV/AIDS
- being free from judgment, stigma and discrimination
- recognizing people/agencies that work with persons living with HIV/AIDS during worship services
- Involve your youth classes in a local World AIDS Day or other HIV project:
- sew quilt panels for persons who have died from HIV disease
- volunteer with a local HIV/AIDS organization or service group
- support HIV/AIDS education, research, and services locally and nationally
- invite persons living with HIV/AIDS to participate in social, worship, and other activities
- develop a collage, mural or exhibit for display during services or in lobby area
- develop and perform a short skit about World AIDS Day during services
Selected Resources for World AIDS Day 2011 and/or HIV/AIDS Materials
Spotlight
World AIDS Day: Minnesota
World AIDS Day: National
If you have questions or comments about this page, use our IDEPC Comment Form or call 651-201-5414 (TTY: 651-201-5797) for the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.