The second Global AIDS Week of Action will be held from the 20th to the 25th of May 2007. The week provides an opportunity for activists to unite, generate political pressure and demand a stronger response from world leaders in the response to HIV and AIDS.
The week starts with the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day on Sunday to recognise those who have died of AIDS around the world.

In 2006, activists from 30 countries participated in the first ever Global AIDS Week of Action, as a consensus building mission just before world leaders met to report back to the United Nations on their progress in meeting their 2001 commitment on HIV and AIDS in a General Assembly Special Assembly on HIV and AIDS. This year, the week of action will take place just before the group of eight (G8) nations meet in Germany, from June 6 to 8. The G8 will discuss among other issues, the universal access goal.

Last year, Malawian activists created a people’s charter for the week of action, where they highlighted their demands on key issues, including financing the fight against HIV and AIDS, and supporting a sustainable public health system. This year, Zimbabwe proposes to hold a one-day people’s convention on HIV and AIDS as well as hold consultative meetings with trade unions, church groups, the parliamentary group on health, and human rights organisations.

• As journalists, how well versed are you on the activities that will be taking place in your area? Do people in your area know anything about the Global AIDS Week of Action?
• How can you ensure that activities to commemorate the week are adequately covered?

• While the Global Week emphasises the importance of civil society action to put pressure on national and international leaders to further fund HIV and AIDS causes, how can journalists lend a hand to their cause? Increased coverage for this important event would definitely ensure that governments take notice of this crucial response to the AIDS epidemic.

• Access to prevention is the current hot topic in HIV and AIDS. Can journalists write extended features on topical prevention issues such as male circumcision and microbicides in light of the global week of action?

• Can journalists use the week as a means of lobbying their national governments and regional bodies to ensure that the issue of universal access to treatment is adequately covered by the developed nations’ G8 summit?

Sources:

1. http://www.choike.org/nuevo_eng/informes/5476.html
2. http://www.actionaid.org/main.aspx?PageID=585
3. http://en.civilg8.ru/1731.php