China

AIDS campaign gathers momentum in China

© CCTV 2005

Dr. Christian Voumard, UNICEF Representative for China, introduces UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS at a China Central Television Gala aired nationwide.

BEIJING, China, 20 January 2006 – The UNITE FOR CHILDREN  UNITE AGAINST AIDS campaign is gathering momentum in China with key messages broadcast on nationwide television and the internet reaching millions of young people.

Speaking on Chinese television, Dr. Christian Voumard, UNICEF Representative for China and Chair of the UN Theme group on HIV/AIDS in China, introduced the UNITE FOR CHILDREN  UNITE AGAINST AIDS campaign during a special World AIDS Day broadcast. Dr. Voumard also took part in a CCTV show that featured real life stories on several Chinese people living with HIV/AIDS.

© UNICEF China / 2005 / Li

One of the paintings entered into an art competition sponsored by the Ministry of Education.

The UNITE FOR CHILDREN  UNITE AGAINST AIDS campaign will be officially launched in China in March building on several important key events and activities that have already taken place, including:

• An art contest sponsored by the Ministry of Education featuring the work of 10,000 high school students. The top 10 were selected for awards, and their art will be published in a book on Children and AIDS early next year.

• A comprehensive chapter on children affected by HIV/AIDS has been added to the revised second edition textbook for Chinese government leaders. In the coming year UNAIDS, the Ford Foundation, UNICEF and others will support the Party School to train government leaders in China's provinces.

• The launch of a direct mail campaign to raise funds and awareness about HIV/AIDS. Following the success of the initial mailing to 500,000 households, a further appeal has been sent to 400,000 more.

• A “Children and AIDS” public service announcement starring movie star Jackie Chan, entitled “Stigma Buster,” is being broadcast nationwide.

• Nine reporters travelled to Yunnan Province to report on programmes aimed at improving care and support for children and families affected by AIDS. The trip, organised by UNICEF China, resulted in more than 30 stories for print, TV and radio programmes in both English and Chinese.

• The internet component of the UNITE FOR CHILDREN  UNITE AGAINST AIDS campaign has reached over 30 million young Chinese with HIV-prevention messages.