World Aids Day

To promote World AIDS Day to staff and students, an event was held in the Skibo at the Halbeath Campus on 1 December.    The number of people living with HIV is continuing to rise in every part of the world - including the UK and there are now 33 million people living with HIV worldwide and 80,000 in the UK. Twenty-one years ago, a summit of health ministers realised that a united global effort was required to halt the spread of HIV. As a result, World AIDS Day emerged as the first international health day in December 1988. The aim of World AIDS Day is to bring to people's attention the worldwide challenges and consequences of the epidemic - ultimately halting the spread of HIV and improving the lives of people living with the virus. Each year the campaign is an opportunity for organisations throughout the world to highlight the HIV pandemic in order to raise awareness and bring about change The theme for World AIDS Day 2008 The UK theme for World AIDS Day 2008, "Respect & Protect", is inspired by the UNAIDS and World AIDS Campaign. Carnegie College, through the SRC, wanted to promote the key messages of the campaign, "Respect and Protect" and asked all staff, particularly Programme and Guidance Tutors to tell students about the event. There was a quiz with money prizes, sponsored by the SRC, bookmarks, posters and information leaflets (which provided the answers to the quiz!). Red ribbons are the traditional symbols of support and were available at Customer Services and in the Skibo. Staff were encouraged to wear one with pride to show support for the campaign.