World AIDS Day

Calendar of Events

Note: This Calendar of Events is supported by the UN Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) on WAD. Members of the UN-IAWG include representatives of the following: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank, United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), UN Department of Public information, UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, and the UNAIDS Secretariat.

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Tuesday, 21 November

12:00pm - Launch of the 2006 AIDS Epidemic Update

UNAIDS representatives will be present at the Spokesman’s Noon Briefing to respond to questions about the report, which will be launched in Geneva at 4:30 EST.
Contact: Newton Kanhema (kanhema@un.org)

Monday, 27 November – Friday, 1 December

9:30 am-5:00pm - HIV/AIDS Orientation Sessions

Various venues in UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA and the UN buildings. Morning sessions will be from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm; afternoon sessions will be from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Please see flyer for details

The orientation sessions are open to all UN staff. Each session is designed to enable staff to make informed decisions to protect themselves from HIV and fully understand the UN’s HIV/AIDS workplace policies and programme.
Contact: Anne-Katrin Dachs (anne.dachs@undp.org)

Various times - Voluntary HIV Counselling and Confidential Testing (VCCT)

Labouisse Hall, UNICEF House. Please see flyer for details.

This service is aimed at giving UN staff, their partners and families the opportunity to know their HIV status. It will be provided for free by the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC). The activity is also intended to promote safer behaviour.
Contact: Niurka Anson (nanson@unicef.org)

12:00pm-2:00 pm - Distribution of Condoms

UNICEF, UNDP and UN buildings

Male and female condoms will be distributed by volunteers. The activity seeks to provide condoms and relevant information to those who might need them. It also aims to renew focus on prevention.
Contact: Nick Fucile (fucile@un.org)

Wednesday, 29 November

1:15-2:30 pm - Briefing on AIDS in Eastern Europe (tbc)

UN Building

Organized by the chair of the Eastern Europe regional group (Bulgaria), with support from UNDP, UNODC and the UNAIDS Secretariat, this briefing aims to keep Missions abreast of on-the-ground efforts to implement the 2006 Political Declaration on AIDS, highlighting priorities and challenges in Eastern Europe.
Contacts: Dudley Tarlton (dudley.tarlton@unicef.org), Lucie Hrbkova (hrbkova@un.org) and Mari Ortega (vortega@unicef.org)

6:30pm-10:00 pm - Film Screening, Three Needles

Dag Hammarskjöld Theater

The film presents three stories which offer differing perspectives on the AIDS pandemic. One takes place in Africa, another in Montreal and the third in China. Actors include Chloë Sevigny, Olympia Dukakis, Sandra Oh, Stockard Channing, and Lucy Liu. Organized by the NY AIDS Film Festival with support from UNICEF and UNAIDS, the screening will be followed by a panel discussion.
Contact: Lena Hothes (hothes@unhcr.org)

Thursday, 30 November

6:30pm-8:30 pm - World AIDS Day Forum at Saint Bart’s

Saint Bart’s, Park Avenue and 51st Street, New York

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will be joined by UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot and leaders of various faiths, musicians and NYC community members to demonstrate the broad partnership to stop AIDS worldwide. This event is being be co-organized by the St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, the Interfaith Center of New York, the Islamic Cultural Center of New York, the World Council of Churches, The Hunger Project, UNAIDS and other NYC-based organizations.
Contact: Mari Ortega (vortega@unicef.org)

Friday, 1 December

8:00am-10:00am - World AIDS Day Breakfast hosted by Mayor Bloomberg

Gracie Mansion, East End Avenue at 88th Street, New York

Held annually, this breakfast brings together AIDS advocates and service providers in New York. The event offers an opportunity to renew commitment to the response to AIDS. By invitation only.

6:30pm-8:00 pm - First International HIV/AIDS Cartoon Exhibition Opening

Visitors Lobby, UN Secretariat

Co-organized by the Government of Brazil, the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and UNAIDS, this exhibition features cartoons created by various artists from countries around the world. Powerful messages on HIV prevention, treatment and the promotion of human rights are conveyed.
Contact: Mari Ortega (vortega@unicef.org)

7:00pm-11:30 pm - New York AIDS Film Festival (NYAFF) Red Ball Gala

New York City Public Library

Organized by the NYAFF, this gala event seeks to pay tribute to those who have made a big difference in the response to AIDS. Top celebrities from the film and fashion industry have been invited to join eminent personalities from the public and private sectors. By invitation only.
Contact: Suzanne Engo (aidsfilmfestival@aol.com)

Monday, 4 December

9:00 am-10:00 pm - New York AIDS Film Festival Closing

Dag Hammarskjöld Auditorium. Please see flyer for details.

Seven films will be screened: Orphans of Nkandala (HBO); Think HIV (MTV and the Kaiser Family Foundation); Positive Voices (Cable Positive); “Phir Milenge” (an Indian feature film); Where have all the parents gone (CNN); Let’s Talk (Black Entertainment Television), and; 48 Fest (MTV). Panel discussions will be organized around the films shown. A reception will be organized to close the film festival.
Contact: Lena Hothes (hothes@unhcr.org)