December 1According toUNAIDS（联合国艾滋病规划署）estimates there were 38.6 million adults and 3.2 million children living with HIV at the end of 2002, and during the year 5 million new people became infected with the virus. Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35. 95% of the total number of people with HIV live in the developing world. But HIV still remains a threat to people of all ages and nationalities.

Stigma and Discrimination is the theme of the 2003 World AIDS day. In many parts of the world, discrimination prevents people who are known to have HIV from securing a job or caring for their families. Discrimination can cause isolation andmarginalizes（排斥）people who have HIV and AIDS. This can prevent people from being offered or seeking the treatment which could save their lives.

In order for HIV to be effectively tackled on an international level, efforts need to be made to

End the discrimination against people with HIV and AIDS.
Educate people in safer sex and drug use, using appropriate media.
Provide condoms freely to people in the developing world.
Provide financial and medical assistance so that people with HIV and AIDS can be treated.

Started in 1988, World AIDS Day is not just about raising money, but also about raising awareness, education and fighting prejudice. World AIDS Day is also important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.

Themes for World Aids Day

The theme for world AIDS day 2003 is Stigma and Discrimination. Each year there is a particular theme chosen for World AIDS Day, and for the last fourteen years the themes have been as follows:

2004

Women and AIDS

2003

Stigma and Discrimination

2002

Stigma and Discrimination

2001

I care. Do you?

2000

AIDS : Men make a difference

1999

Listen, Learn, Live: World AIDS Campaign with Children and Young People

1998

Force For Change: World AIDS Campaign With Young People

1997

Children Living in a World with AIDS

1996

One World, One Hope

1995

Shared Rights, Shared Responsibilities

1994

AIDS and the Family

1993

Time to Act

1992

Community Commitment

1991

Sharing the Challenge

1990

Women & AIDS

1989

Youth

1988

Communication

The Red Ribbon

The Red Ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around world AIDS day to demonstrate care and concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment.

The red ribbon started as a "grass roots" effort, and as a result there is no official red ribbon, and many people make their own. To make your own ribbons, get some ordinary red ribbon, about 1.5 cms wide and cut it into strips about 15 cms long. Then fold at the top into an inverted "V" shape and put a safety pin through the centre which you use to attach the ribbon to your clothing.