“More than 7000 people are infected with HIV every day. We need a prevention revolution.” This is the message that UNAIDS is using today to launch a social media initiative across twitter and facebook to revitalize interest in HIV Prevention in the lead up to World AIDS Day 2010.
Starting 26 October, for six consecutive Tuesdays, UNAIDS will introduce a series of themes related to HIV prevention via discussions on facebook and Twitter and through YouTube clips, interactive polls and quizzes. As part of the initiative, five animated films have been developed as conversation starters.
The aim is to inspire and encourage people using social media to know more about HIV prevention, as well as to make the keyword (or hashtag as it is known on Twitter) #PreventionRevolution trend on Twitter in as many places as possible on 1 December 2010.
HIV spreads through networks, but networks are also the best defense when people are informed and empowered to protect themselves
Michael Bartos Chief of Prevention, Risk and Social Vulnerability
The social media project will reinforce the work of the recently launched High Level Commission of HIV Prevention, whose stated aim is to bring about a prevention revolution. Many of the commissionaires are already using social media to raise awareness about HIV prevention.
“HIV spreads through networks, but networks are also the best defense when people are informed and empowered to protect themselves,” said Michael Bartos Chief of Prevention, Risk and Social Vulnerability with UNAIDS. “Using social media is a natural progression for UNAIDS’ goal of raising awareness and bring about progressive social change.”
The concept was developed in dialogue with the MTV Staying Alive campaign, which is also supporting the initiative.
Find out more, visit UNAIDS on facebook: http://on.fb.me/95aBoI
Where the twibbon: http://twb.ly/bQSXBj
