World AIDS Day

The AIDS epidemic is a global emergency that affects people in every country on earth. UNAIDS estimates that by the end of 2005 a total of 25 million people had died of AIDS since 1981.

In 2005 alone

• 38.6 million people were living with HIV
• 4.1 million people were newly infected
• 2.8 million people lost their lives

World AIDS Day, celebrated annually on December 1 since 1997, provides an important opportunity for raising awareness and joining together in response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic in our communities and around the world. As your congregation plans for this global event, you may use the following resources and ideas.

Fact sheets

Global Fact Sheet (UNAIDS)
2005 UNAIDS Report
United States HIV/AIDS Statistics  

Ideas for World AIDS Day

• For assistance in preparation for a service lifting up HIV/AIDS, download HIV/AIDS Worship Resources. These AIDS worship resources can be used for World AIDS Day (December 1), Presbyterian AIDS Awareness Sunday (2nd Sunday in October) or any time throughout the year.
• Organize an Ecumenical or Interfaith Community Service. We cannot defeat HIV alone. We must partner with others either in our own cities or globally.
• Conduct a healing service for persons infected and affected by HIV or AIDS.
• Hold a candlelight vigil in remembrance that AIDS is still here and impacts all of us. 
• Host or help sponsor an AIDS Memorial Quilt display and service of remembrance. More than 15 million people throughout the world have seen some of the more than 50,000 panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. The Names Project administers the quilt displays and will help you plan an effective quilt display and program for your church and community. For more information and to view quilt panels, visit the AIDS Memorial Quilt Web site.
• Conduct a Bible study for adult or youth Sunday school. Select passages that speak to the AIDS issue. Download suggested Scripture passages.
• Create banners or posters to break the silence around AIDS
  The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA) has some great program tools for education and prevention using art in the form of posters and banners. The resources will help you design a program to meet your needs whether it is organizing a World AIDS Day poster competition or creating a church banner. View posters from around the world and get more information at the EAA
  Web site or download the poster CD-ROM available on the EAA Web site.
• Download World AIDS Day campaign materials including posters, photos, and campaign information by visiting the World AIDS Campaign Web site. Materials are also available in French, Spanish or Russian.
• Order a World AIDS Day pack including posters, brochure and a CD-ROM by emailing World AIDS Campaign. Supplies are limited. Please include your mailing address and language preference in your request.
• Let the media in your area know what you are planning for World AIDS Day. The World AIDS Campaign is developing resources to help you reach out to local and national media. We are also working with international media directly to help highlight your efforts. A World AIDS Day fact sheet and general media guide are available on the World AIDS Campaign Web site.