Salman invited to UN press conference session in Islamabad

[Spock]

Since Islamabad is my home town, any Junoonis from Isloo who want to attend this event, PM me, and I will try to get you in the guest list, no gaurantees though, as I am not sure what the organizers have in mind.

Dear All,

As discussed with you earlier, this is to invite you to participate in the Press Conference with UNAIDS goodwill ambassador Salman Ahmad with regards to the World AIDS Day’s activities and the launch of the Association of People living with HIV and AIDS on 30th November 2006, 3:00 p.m. at the UNIC office: House # 26, Street # 88, G 6/3, Islamabad.

Looking forward to your participation!

Thanks & Best regards

Alice




Dr. Alice Wimmer, Junior Professional Officer, Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)

[Spock]

Subject : Salman calls for humanizing the face of HIV/AIDS:

Salman calls for humanizing the face of HIV/AIDS:
Schezee Zaidi
ISLAMABAD: NOV 30
Calling for humanizing the face of HIV/AIDS, Rockstar Salman Ahmed, UN
Goodwill Ambassador and UNAIDS Special Representative for HIV/AIDS has
said that in an inter-connected world its no longer a luxury to ignore
HIV and AIDS.
Salman was speaking at a press briefing organized at United
Nations Information Center here on Thursday.
In a special message on World Aids Day being observed today,
he said "the world that we live in is like the human body, if one
region is affected by HIV & AIDS it poses a danger to all of humanity,
regardless of gender, religion, national or ethnic identity".
In his message on World AIDS Day, Salman reminded the people
of the world to remind us to see with the heart and to think beyond
borders because it is only compassion and knowledge which can fight
the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV & AIDS.
Salman has been touring around the world as UN Representative
raising awareness against HIV/AIDS and through his video "Alvida",
laid emphasis on awareness regarding AIDS and women's empowerment in
South Asia.
Salman Ahmed is also to be the guest of honour at the launch of the
"Association of People Living with HIV & AIDS in Pakistan" today,
organized by UNAIDS Pakistan and its United Nations Co-Sponsor
Agencies. The organizing committee constituted by UNAIDS will also
hold a Fundraising Event with Salman Ahmed in collaboration with a
group of volunteers comprising some
influential Pakistani women.
UNESCO, in collaboration with UNAIDS, UNICEF, and National AIDS
Control Programme (NACP- Ministry of Health) is also organizing a
seminar today on AIDS Prevention Education for Youth.
ENDS:

[zerocool]

Launch of the Association of People Living with HIV & AIDS in Pakistan




Every year 1st December marks the World AIDS Day (WAD). This is a time when support is provided to all those people who have been infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. In Pakistan, WAD focuses on the awareness about HIV and AIDS among all ages of people through a series of events. The UN system is fully mobilized in supporting Pakistan's National Response on HIV and AIDS and is engaged in commemorating World AIDS Day all over the country.


On World AIDS Day, December 1st 2006 UNAIDS Pakistan and its United Nations Co-Sponsor Agencies are proud to announce the launch of the Association of People Living with HIV and AIDS. The launching ceremony will be attended by federal and provincial government officials, diplomats and representatives from NGOs, People living with HIV (PLHIV), Mr. Salman Ahmed, UNAIDS Special Representative and the UN family. While the honorable Federal Minister for Health has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest at this launching ceremony.


The overall objective of the Association is to build capacity and empower People living with HIV in Pakistan. Stigma and Discrimination remain burning issues for PLHIV, which needs to be tackled on a priority basis. Currently most of the NGOs working on HIV and AIDS are concentrating on prevention. There are only a few NGOs supporting People living with HIV and AIDS some of which are being courageously run by PLHIV themselves. Overall, splintered efforts are being made which lack coordination or sometimes even basic knowledge about the epidemiology of the virus and its impact on communities. The Government is presently providing treatment services out of eight treatment and care centers in the country through public private partnerships.


Besides organizing the launching ceremony of the Association, a Photo Exhibition will also be arranged by UNAIDS, the same day in collaboration with UNICEF and Getty Images at Marriott Hotel Islamabad. The organizing committee constituted by UNAIDS will also hold a Fundraising Event involving Mr. Salman Ahmed, UNAIDS Special Representative and in collaboration with a group of volunteers comprising of some wives of Ambassadors and some influential Pakistani women headed by the wife of the Spanish Ambassador


UNESCO, in collaboration with UNAIDS, UNICEF, and National AIDS Control Programmed (NACP- Ministry of Health) is organizing a seminar on AIDS Prevention Education for Youth in Marriot Hotel Islamabad at 10.00 am - 12.30 pm on 1st December.


UNHCR is also commemorating World AIDS Day by conducting activities in the Refugee Camps in N.W.F.P, Balochistan and Punjab .The activities include awareness raising sessions, workshops, distribution of IEC materials, speeches by prominent community leaders, walks by school children and community, debates in schools, sports competitions drama and role plays along with radio Talk shows.




UNICEF is commemorating World AIDS Day also in the provinces, in collaboration with the Provincial AIDS Control Programmes and their other partners. Activities include community walks, advocacy with stakeholders, poster and essay competitions for young people, television and radio advocacy with National Ambassadors Strings and other celebrities, and an exhibition with affected children.


For more information please contact Dr. Samia Hashim mobile: 0300-852-6675 samia.hashim@un.org.pk or Mr. Fawad Haider, mobile: 0300-5012315 fawad.haider@un.org.pk
_________________
Hai Jazba Junoon to himmat na haar~~Justajoo jo karay woh chooaey aasmaan~~Mehnat apni ho gee pehchaan kabhi na bholo~~Sab ki nazron main Pakistan

[zerocool]

Statement by Mr. Salman Ahmed, UNAIDS Special Representative


1st December 2006




Having trained as a doctor before I came into music, I know that a small infection in any part of the human body if not treated with care and urgency can easily threaten the whole body. In an inter-connected world we no longer have the luxury to ignore HIV and AIDS. The world that we live in is like the human body, if one region is affected by HIV & AIDS it poses a danger to all of humanity, regardless of gender, religion, national or ethnic identity.




Everybody has a role to play and as an artist and UNAIDS Special Representative I promise that I will make sure that through my music and words I will try to shine a light on the heroic lives of People living with HIV. Music and video can help humanize the face of HIV, as I tried to do in Al-Vida, a music video which is about HIV & AIDS as much as it's about women's empowerment in South Asia.


We have to remind ourselves to see with the heart and to think beyond borders because it is only compassion and knowledge which can fight the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV & AIDS.
_________________
Hai Jazba Junoon to himmat na haar~~Justajoo jo karay woh chooaey aasmaan~~Mehnat apni ho gee pehchaan kabhi na bholo~~Sab ki nazron main Pakistan

[khosh fami ka shikar]

cool

[zerocool]

http://www.worldaidscampaign.info/

http://www.unaids.org/en/MediaCentre/PressMaterials/FeatureStory/20061130-WADStatements.asp
_________________
Hai Jazba Junoon to himmat na haar~~Justajoo jo karay woh chooaey aasmaan~~Mehnat apni ho gee pehchaan kabhi na bholo~~Sab ki nazron main Pakistan

[adnan]

I'll vouch for Spock on this one. He can get you in to these events.