Dear Friends,
The time is here again for us to come together for the candlelight memorial on 19th May and remember all our friends we have lost to HIV/AIDS and re-dedicate ourselves to the cause.
The theme of the 30th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is In solidarity. The theme emphasizes the need of people living with and affected by HIV to join hands and work together in the response to HIV. Solidarity in communities is essential to reduce stigma and promote involvement of people living with HIV in order to ensure a more effective HIV response. Only together as communities we can advocate for universal access to quality health services and HIV treatment, to raise awareness around HIV and to promote respect for human rights of people living with HIV.
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, coordinated by the Global Network of People living with HIV is one of the world’s oldest and largest grassroots mobilization campaigns for HIV awareness in the world. Started in 1983, the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial takes place every third Sunday in May and is led by a coalition of some 1,200 community organizations in 115 countries.
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is much more than just a memorial. The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial serves as a community mobilization campaign to raise social consciousness about HIV and AIDS. With 33 million people living with HIV today, the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial serves as an important intervention for global solidarity, breaking down barriers of stigma and discrimination, and giving hope to new generations.
We will update you on the programme in Darjeeling and call on you to take the memorial in your own spaces too.
For further details please check http://www.
Do let us know your initiatives and ideas to commemorate this year's memorial.
In Solidarity,
roshan
