“Positive faces of Egypt” and forum of discussion on HIV/AIDS

Objective

Highlight the role of art and photography to document the positive faces of Egypt and communicate messages for social change and justice.

Rationale

In January 2011 Egyptians took the streets calling for freedom, dignity and social justice. The fear barrier was finally broken and people started to speak up for their rights. Social justice is unexceptional and should bring about progress on human rights for all.  The fight against HIV and AIDS in Egypt is very much affected by the social context, cultural norms contribute markedly to profound stigma and discrimination towards people affected and infected by HIV. The positive faces of Egypt bring a lot of hope to extend dignity, justice and freedom to people living with HIV and affected communities.

Details of the event

The event was organized by UNAIDS Egypt  in collaboration with Sawy Cultural Wheel to show case the power of the people for social change and the role of art in communicating core messages that promote justice and human rights.

The revolutionary phase that Egypt is going through has revived the power of the people, and in particular youth, to bring about needed change. The event aimed at highlighting the role of art to document and share positive faces of Egyptians bringing about change. Photography has been chosen as the form of art to highlight such positive examples for the Egyptian revolution in the hope that the spirit will similarly extend to revolutionize the call for equity, justice and empowerment to the HIV response.

The event was composed of a photography exhibition followed by a panel discussion on the role of art and photography to galvanize change and communicate messages of justice and freedom. The Photography Exhibition collected 70 photos taken by Egyptian and International photographers during the revolution and selected photos from a national photo context to fight stigma on HIV. The theme selected for displaying those photos was “Positive faces of Egypt”.

The exhibition opening was followed by a panel discussion to which general public, media and youth representatives were invited. The selected panelists discussed the role of art, photography and the leadership of youth in activating, maintaining and fostering social change and social justice.

Panelists

  • Ms. Menna Shalabi (UNAIDS Egypt GWA),
  • Mr. Monir El Shazly (Professional Photographer and photo contest 2010 jury chair),
  • Dr. Mohamed Salah (IFMSA President, Egypt).
  • The discussion will be facilitated by Dr. Wessam El Beih, UNAIDS Country Coordinator.