Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- As many as 200 people attended the AIDS campaign held at the Youth Creativity Palace on 1 December, World AIDS Day. The campaign agenda included speeches by representatives of governmental, international and public organizations as well as an exhibition offering photos and information materials by organizations working to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, a demonstration of videos dedicated to HIV/AIDS issues and a concert featuring Uzbek pop stars.

The campaign participants included Kelajak ovozi YIC members, representatives of international organizations, Uzbek NGOs (the Women’s Committee, Kamolot Youth Movement, Intilish (Aspiration), etc), the National AIDS Center as well as people living with HIV, journalists and ninth graders from Tashkent schools.

“I’m happy to be here today and to see so many active and caring young people,” says Stefan Liller, UNDP Assistant Resident Representative. “UNDP always supports this sort of events which help us achieve considerable success in the fight against AIDS and our efforts to raise public awareness. We appreciate the efforts being made in Uzbekistan in this area. Just as important are the activities overseen by nongovernmental organizations in Uzbekistan, particularly the Fund Forum and the SISF, whose support has been instrumental.”

AIDS campaigns have been held in all parts of Uzbekistan since 2007. The key message conveyed by the recent campaign is the need to form a tolerant attitude toward people living with HIV (PLHIV). Each individual has the right to understanding, support and care, and PLHIV are no exception. The event also sought to attract attention to the problem of HIV spread and to remind that every individual has a responsibility for his or her own health and the health of their loved ones.

The Red Ribbon event brought together people who are not indifferent to the AIDS problem and those who are prepared to contribute toward efforts to address one of the gravest problems of humanity. The ultimate goal shared by the AIDS campaign organizers and participants is to achieve zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-caused deaths and zero discrimination.

Equally noteworthy is the active work being carried out by the young participants who presented their contributions to the cause: videos, information materials and skits reflecting effective activities and their own visions and methods of raising public awareness of AIDS and preventing it.

“It’s good to see so many young people who have united in their endeavors to help people living with HIV,” said Ulugbek Zaribbaev, National Programme Officer on Gender Issues and Youth for UNFPA Uzbekistan. “This campaign demonstrates that together we can accomplish a lot, and I hope that our collaboration will continue and our efforts will be effective and yield a lot of positive results.”

The AIDS campaign was organized by the Fund Forum, the Social Initiatives Support Fund (SISF), UNDP/Global Fund and Kelajak ovozi Youth Initiative Center with assistance from UNFPA, UNAIDS in Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Public Education and the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan.