History of World AIDS Day

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is caused by a virus known as HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). The immune system of an AIDS victim is damaged and he becomes susceptible to various infections and tumors. The HIV virus is transmitted through the direct contact of a mucous membrane with blood, semen, vaginal fluid and breast milk containing the virus. The transmission of the AIDS virus happens through blood transfusion, hypodermic syringes, and anal, oral or vaginal sex. It is also transmitted from a mother to the baby, during pregnancy or breastfeeding

From 1981 to 2007, 25 million people around the world have died of AIDS. The health reports of the year 2007, reveals approximately 33 million people including children are living with HIV. HIV/AIDS has been declared as one of the most destructive epidemics, after it claimed the lives of approximately 2 million people including children, around the world in the year 2007.

In 1995, the President of the United States of America issued an official proclamation on World AIDS Day and the other nations of the world followed suit. World AIDS Day is observed on 1 December, every year.

History of World AIDS Day

The concept of observing World AIDS Day was the brainchild of Jonathan Mann, director of the Global Programme on AIDS, at the WHO (World Health Organization).

In 1988, at the World Summit of Ministers of Health, programs for AIDS prevention and the concept of a World AIDS Day was supported by all the participating nations. In October 1988, the United Nations General Assembly formally recognized this concept. World Health Organization declared December 1, 1988, as the first World AIDS Day.

In 1996, an organization known as Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) was formed to plan and promote the awareness of the World AIDS Day. This organization also aimed at creating awareness of this deadly disease in all the nations. In 1997, UNAIDS strived to create an awareness regarding the causes of AIDS by propagating year-around communications through a campaign known as World AIDS Campaign.

In 1997, UNAIDS created a theme of World AIDS Day and focused only on children and young people. The theme helped to alleviate the stigma attached to this disease. Later they focused on people of all age groups, who were the victims of HIV/AIDS. Every year, they designed new themes for World AIDS Campaign till 2005.

In 2004, the World AIDS Campaign was recognized as an independent organization. The campaign helped to raise funds by conducting various charity shows. This organization educates the people on AIDS by conducting various workshops. These workshops are used to fight prejudice and also to remind the people that HIV is still an epidemic and there are many things that still need to be done.

Till 2004, UNAIDS in consultation with other global health organizations, such as WHO, had different annual themes for the World AIDS Day Campaign. Later in 2005, it was decided that the themes would be changed only once in five years and there would an annual sub-theme.

These themes were created to inspire the political leaders of all the nations to keep their promises and commitment to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, and to support the victims of AIDS. World AIDS Campaign uses this theme to highlight HIV awareness in all the major global summits including the G8 Summit.

World AIDS Day Themes

Here is the list of the themes of the World AIDS Campaign.

Year	Theme
1988	Communication
1989	Youth
1990	Women and AIDS
1991	Sharing the Challenge
1992	Community Commitment
1993	Act
1994	AIDS and the Family
1995	Shared Rights, Shared Responsibilities
1996	One World. One Hope
1997	Children Living in a World with AIDS
1998	Force for Change: World AIDS Campaign With Young People
1999	Listen, Learn, Live: World AIDS Campaign with Children & Young People
2000	AIDS: Men Make a Difference
2001	I care. Do you?
2002	Stigma and Discrimination
2003	Stigma and Discrimination
2004	Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS
2005	Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise
2006	Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise - Accountability
2007	Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise - Leadership
2008	Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise - Lead - Empower - Deliver
2009	Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise - Get involved in the response to HIV