On 18 May, thousands of people will take part in events around the world to support the thirty-first International AIDS Candlelight Memorial. Activities will range from small local vigils to national commemorations as people come together to light candles, march, perform, raise awareness and express solidarity with people living with and affected by HIV. People who have lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses will also be remembered.
The memorial, with the theme of “Let’s keep the light on HIV”, is coordinated by the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) and is spearheaded by a coalition of more than a thousand community organizations, such as networks of HIV-positive people, women’s and youth groups, businesses, academic institutions, faith-based organizations and the media.
The occasion will be used to further the overarching aims of ensuring that HIV stays firmly on the social and political agenda and that HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services are available to all who need them. The Memorial also provides an opportunity to challenge stigma and encourage activism and community dialogue, while highlighting the need to safeguard the advances that have been made in stemming the epidemic and to make greater progress in the future.
For more information on the memorial and planned events go to http://www.candlelightmemorial.org/
