Red Ribbon Campaign Photo Exhibition

Acoustic Performance By Leading Local Band “Degla”

Date & Time :

December 20, 2009 at 6:00 PM

Location :

DARB 1718 Kasr El Sham St. – Fustat, Old Cairo
Behind the Hanging Church & Amr Mosque next to Mary Girgis Metro Station

Photo Contest Prizes

Thanks to Canon, WAC Egypt 2009 Sponser, There are prizes for the winners of the photography contest .
- The Winner will get “Canon DSLR Camera”, (Body Only) .
- The reserves will get 2 Canon Compact Digital Cameras .

All entries must be hand submitted by Tuesday December 15, 2009, at 12.00 p.m

Read More about WAC Egypt 2009 Photo Contest

Wessam El Beih, Ahmed Khamis, Giacomo Crescenzi (UNAIDS); Yasmine Adel Refaat (UNODC); Dina Khaled, (UNICEF); Sherine Meshad (UNESCO); Mona Moustafa (UNFPA); Karim Bayoumi (UNIFEM); Maged Shafiek (UNDP); Nihal (UNIC); Marwa Kamel (CHL); Zeinab Heada (CARE); Radwa Rabie (CRS); Manal (NAMRU-3)

Theme and Slogan

The World AIDS Campaign globally arrived at the selection of the theme “Universal Access and Human Rights” after close consultation with representatives of various constituencies, communications and media representatives of partner organizations and friends of the World AIDS Campaign. 2010 will be a milestone for the Millennium Development Goals, encouraging high level review of what has, and has not, been accomplished in the aim to achieve access for all to essential care by 2010.

The message of the campaign is that access for all to prevention, treatment, care and support is a fundamental human right that is impossible to decouple from the discussion of how we tackle HIV and AIDS now and in the future. While Egypt will be promoting the global slogan, it will also have a local slogan which emphasizes a call for action and thus leadership.

In 2007 and 2008 the task force planned the WAC as an event based campaign, the main focus was on Leadership both at a personal and decision making level. This year campaign will take into account positive and negative lessons learnt in previous editions along with renewing the effort of raising awareness about rights and combating stigma related to HIV and people affected by it. The WAC Task Force came to a consensus of not holding an “on site event” and the efforts will rather focus on Mass Media Outreach using various channels.

Background

HIV prevalence in the country may remain low, with below 0.1% in the general population (~ 10,500 persons)[1] but preconditions for a wider epidemic exist.
Risk determinants (factors that can help the virus spread faster and make it more difficult to control) include overpopulation, a large population of young people, the group where over 40% of new HIV infections in the world take place (ages 15-24), poverty (20% of population under poverty line), continued presence of illiteracy in the general population (38%) especially among women and a weak health system despite huge infrastructure.

A recently conducted study among most at risk populations indicates that Egypt may be witnessing a concentrated epidemic among men who have sex with men (vulnerable men) with a prevalence of 6.2% among the sample of 267 vulnerable men based in Alexandria, Egypt[2].

Objectives

The WAC 2009 has one main goal:
- “Raise awareness among general and sub-populations related to right to information and access to services, including prevention, care, support and treatment”.

The specific objectives:
1.Capitalize on media channels (Internet; Billboards; Competitions; Youth popular sites; Key new figures) to expand outreach to general and subpopulations with key messages
2.Engagement and active participation of PLHIV in the realization of rights
3.Engagement of volunteers in disseminating information, knowledge building and assessing campaign outcomes

The basis of the WAC 2009 in Egypt

While the 2009 campaign will have a different focus, it should build on the strengths of the 2008 campaign. Some of the 2008 WAC achievements were:

- Widespread youth participation
- Focus on creative activities
- Clear role of the coalition and engagement of Friends of Life NGO (Association for PLHIV)
- Widespread Involvement of different sectors
- Increasing Private sector contributions

At the same time, the campaign should foster:

- Key priorities and gaps in the response
- Long term activities with specific outcomes.
- Quality control and technical support in the implementation of the activities
- Long-term commitment of acting partners
- Better involvement of PLHIV

Management

Following the experience gained in planning previous WACs, an ETG WAC Task Force was activated in September 2009.

The 2009 WAC Task Force is coordinated by UNAIDS Secretariat and composed of UN agencies (UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNIFEM, UNODC) PLHIV (Friends of Life representatives), Youth groups, NGOs (CARE, CHL, CRS), NAMRU-3 and Volunteers.

Task Force’s main responsibilities include designing, managing and implementing the WAC; including resource mobilization and reporting. Each Task Force’s member is an active participant in the campaign’s organization process.

Activities

The media campaign activities were grouped in two categories;

A. Media activities (TV, Internet; Radio, Written media, Photographic Contest)
B. Outdoor activities

Media Activities

Aim: To promote a high and comprehensive media involvement, to spread information on HIV and AIDS everywhere in Egypt and challenge stigmatizing and discriminatory behaviors.

The campaign aims to have a partnership with key media channels for its entire duration in order to highlight the activities taking place, communicate campaign messages and support the Media’s approach to HIV.

Planned activities:

1. TV

· Target specific, successful and popular talk shows (See Attached List).
· Broadcast TV spots (Newly Developed and previous PSAs).

How

· Seek private sponsors for airing the above mentioned media products (Corporate and social responsibility)
· Compile all previous WAC campaigns spots and material to be edited and re-used in the 2009 campaign
· Shoot 2 new short videos with new celebrities (See attached Script).

2. Radio

· Target National and Governorate Radio Channels for message airings
· Target Radio programmes for talk shows
· Re-air on Nagoom FM during December

How

· Re-use previously developed radio spots and series

3. Internet

· Update Website of Kalam fi El mofid on “Masrawy” to have HIV/AIDS as health topic of discussion for one month: December 2009.
· Use Social networks such as “Facebook” and “Twitter” to spread awareness messages on the web ( http://twitter.com/WACEgypt ); (http://wac-eg.info/group)
· Refresh WAC Egypt web-site
· Launch “Chain Campaigns of solidarity” through social networks

4. Written Media

· Distribute awareness brochures with national/international newspapers and magazines published in Egypt
· Advertise the 2009 WAC campaign through Events Magazines (Croc; What Women Want; Cilantro’s magazine etc)
· Reprint and distribute “MEDIA AND HIV” booklet

How

· Explore the opportunity of a partnership with Masry El Youm/ UNIC/ El Seha Wel Nas
· Arrange workshops and meetings with Media professionals

5. Photography Contest
· Launch a National Photography contest “Red ribbon campaign. Combating stigma and discrimination in Egypt”

How

· Circulate an application form and the contest rules official document through various channels
· Refresh the WAC web site and advertise/monitor the contest
· Seek sponsors and partnerships
· Create simple IEC material for the contest

6. Press conference (December 20th at Darb1718)

The purpose of the press conference would be to launch the results of UNAIDS epidemic update 2009, announce winners of photo contest, honour and award participating media partners and WAC Ambassadors.

Outdoor Activities

· Inner circuit advertisements on HIV/AIDS (Metro; Cinemas; etc)
· Produce and distribute IEC material on a creative basis
· Re-use and, re-fresh and revise flyers used in previous WACs in order to raise awareness about modes of transmission, ways to protect ourselves and available services.

Ambassadors for 2009 World AIDS Campaign in Egypt

· TAREK ALLAM
· KHALED ABOL NAGA
· BASMA

The total number of people estimated to be living with HIV ranges from 7,224 to 12,635 according to UNAIDS/WHO 2007.

The campaign which commenced on November 28^th and concluded on December 18 had two main objectives:

• Advocate among decision makers and especially health professionals for improved access to quality care, support, and treatment for People living with HIV.
• Highlight individual action at the community level related to HIV response including prevention, accessing services and combating stigma and discrimination related to HIV and AIDS.

The following activities and related outcomes are highlighted:

The Youth Mobilization Day, November 28, 2008: Over 500 youth from different ages, backgrounds, and communities actively participate in this event. Through a variety of activities including Art Workshops (do it with wire, paint your own t-shirt, make a kite and fly away),  the “I can stop AIDS” awareness tunnel, Wish tree, Tug of War, Mural wall, and  a Concert by the band Iskenderella ,the day aimed to sensitize youth and raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. It also tackled humanizing HIV, by displaying a documentary portraying the problems and hardships that PLHIV encounter.

Health Administrators Forum, December 15, 2008: under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and Population, the event brought together hospital administrators from public and private hospitals, the Medical syndicate, and the Health Insurance Organization. The aim of the workshop was to discuss difficulties in accessing health care for PLHIV, promote equitable access to health care and implementation of infection control measures. The forum clarified many misconceptions especially related to understanding the regulations and policies governing treatment of people living with HIV.  The forum emphasized the legal responsibilities of doctors to treat all patients, without any form of discrimination. The discussion clarified that there is a need to articulate, disseminate and enforce a clear policy statement to all hospitals in Egypt, on the rights PLHIV to care, support, and treatment.

National Conference for Enhancing Medical Education related to HIV and AIDS, December 18^th, 2008 under the auspices of H.E. the Minister of Higher Education and in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Population conference was held at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. The forum was preceded by a high level meeting with deans from all medical schools in Egypt, the medical Sector committee and the Ministry of Health and resulted in a commitment on behalf of the deans to further improve and enhance HIV and AIDS education in the medical school curriculum and promote education on infection control within health acre settings.  The forum was attended by professors of Microbiology, Public Health, Clinical Medicine, and Pharmacology; each of these departments outlined a set of recommendations for addressing HIV and AIDS. A working group will be set up to impellent those recommendations.

Radio Spots promoting the hotline service, clarifying facts related to confidentiality, counselling, testing, treatment etc. The radio spots communicated by GWA Khaled Abol Naga and Ms. Nelly Karim were aired frequently on Negoum FM from December 1^st through December 11^th.

World AIDS Campaign is supported by: National AIDS Program/MOHP, UNAIDS (UNICEF, UNIFEM, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNODC), CARE, CRS, Coca Cola Company, NAMRU-3, Youth Groups (IFMSA, Y-Peer, GYP, Scouts), and ENNAA.

The commemoration was attended by representatives of UN agencies (UNAIDS, UNESCO UNFPA, UNICEF and UNODC), members of the Minister of Health and Population/National AIDS Programme (Dr. Zein El Taher), Goodwill Ambassadors Khaled Abol Naga and AmrWaked and NGOs (the Egyptian Network on NGOs Against AIDS, CHL and Better Life). The UN, Canadian International Development Agency, the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation and Shell financially supported the organization of the event.

In the morning of December 1st, after a march to raise general populations’ awareness on the issues of HIV/AIDS, about 500 youths (16-20 years old) from Minya and its surroundings gathered in the city’s stadium for the opening of the commemorations. The stadium had been previously decorated with banners and flags of various sizes with slogans and information on HIV/AIDS and the best way to respond in Egypt.

The participants received hand-made bags and materials on HIVAIDS: t-shirts, caps, Red Ribbons, pocket calendars and documents on the epidemic. All the material bore the slogan of the 2007 World AIDS Campaign in Egypt: “Positive Life=Positive Actions in responding to HIV/AIDS”

The camp was lead by three youth-led associations conducting training sessions on HIV/AIDS designed in collaboration with UNAIDS. youth leaders used interative methods as role-play to communicate information around basic facts on HIV/AIDS, transmissions and prevention methods, services available in Egypt and measures to fight HIV related stigma towards people infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS

“Young people have the power to lead the fight against AIDS if they are given the right tools and trust to do it. All countries in the World are at risk of HIV. Egypt has a chance today to curb that spread so we should use it well” said Dr. Wessam El Beih, UNAIDS Country Officer. Goodwill Ambassadors Mr Waked and Mr Abol Naga, with improvised a much-appreciated sketch on the importance of using the toll-free HOTLINE on HIV/AIDS (08007008000) to get correct information on the epidemic. One of the Youth lead Groups, Dance4Life involved the public in a Drill calling for “responsible life and responsible choice” to fight HIV/AIDS), while the Federation of Medical Students presented a song done for the World AIDS Campaign and stressing the importance of fighting stigma and discrimination. Moreover, the Master of Ceremonies Mr. Ayman Kaysoni staged a live Quiz on the epidemic with prizes offered to the particpants.

A live concert by the famous band Habayebna and a DJ set closed the commemoration.

The commemoration of the WAD was part of the World AIDS Campaign (WAC) carried out by the Expanded Theme Group on HIV/AIDS in Upper Egypt. Stands for distribution of informative material and for awareness-raising were set up in Aswan, Luxor, Qena, Souhag, and Assiut during the stops of the UN-led Sailing the Nile for the MDG.

The WAC will continue for the whole December with the following: an awareness whole day event in Alexandria City Stars mall on Friday Dec. 8th an event at the British University in Egypt (Dec. 9th); a National Conference on HIV/AIDS and the role of young medical students (Kasr el Ainy Medical School, Dec. 13th); a Charity Walk against stigma and discrimination affecting people living with HIV/AIDS (Cairo, Dec. 15th); and a Creative Art Competition for journalists, writers and artists.

The WAC is a world wide campaign to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS and call for collective response to the epidemic. In Egypt, 2007 Campaign, it aims to:

-Tackle stigma and discrimination against people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS

-Raise the perception of risk among the general population through the promotion of the HOTLINE, the Volunteer Confidential Counseling and Testing Centers and the other HIV-related services offered by governmental and non-governmental institutions

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Wessam El Beih (UNAIDS Country Officer), elbeihw@unaids.org ,Tel. +20 10 366 2440

Umberto Bernardo (UNAIDS Technical Officer/UN Volunteer) bernardou@unaids.org,Tel +20 16 393 1628

Source: Sailing The Nile

This year, the World AIDS Day in Egypt will be organized around the slogan “Positive Life=Positive Actions in responding to HIV/AIDS” and will aim to:

• Tackle stigma and discrimination against people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS
• Raise the perception of risk among the general population through the promotion of the HOTLINE, the Volunteer Confidential Counseling and Testing Centers and the other HIV-related services offered by governmental and non-governmental institutions

The commemoration will start with a march to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and promote the use of the HOTLINE on HIV/AIDS (0 800 700 8000). 500 youth will participate in the march and will then engage in 6 hours of training sessions on HIV/AIDS, entertainment and music all done by youth and for youth in the Menia stadium. The event will be closed by a live concert of with Haytham Saeid and the band Habayebna. Goodwill Ambassadors Khaled Abol Naga and Amr Waked will participate in the event.

Your participation and the coverage of the events would be of the utmost importance as general awareness of HIV/AIDS among the population is the core element in any effective response to the epidemic.

For further information kindly call Mr. Walid Mansour at +2010 660 9060

The NAP aims to ensure this celebration will be youth-led and, as such, will partner with youth groups active on HIV/AIDS to conduct peer to peer activities.

The celebration will take place in Minya’s stadium from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm and will be closed by a concert from a famous Egyptian singer.

Ismailia HIV/AIDS Youth Camp (2006 – GYP)

The HIV/AIDS Youth Groups in Egypt Shared in a HIV/AIDS youth camp that was held last year in Ismailia with Participation of hundreds of youth from all over egypt . The camp included energizing youth to become agents of change through tutorials in HIV basic knowledge, role-playing, singing and other theatre-based techniques.

The participation included educational sessions, competitions and quizzes to test HIV-knowledge with prizes, an art exhibition, and a final awards ceremony.

The goal of the HIV/AIDS Youth camp is to foster youth empowerment on HIV issues through education and group solidarity.

More about 2006 World AIDS Day Egypt : Click Here