World AIDS Day 2007

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Media contacts Amy Parodi 253.709.3190 (c) Latest press releases 11/30/2007 Historic Global Vigil for AIDS Orphans Ends in New York City 11/29/2007 Remarks of World Vision President, UN Press Conference on AIDS Knowledge ... 11/29/2007 AIDS Ignorance: New study says ... :: Resources for journalists Facts, features, photos, video and more ...

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Each year, World Vision works to raise awareness about the global AIDS crisis by recognizing World AIDS Day and inviting the public to join its efforts around AIDS prevention, education, care, and advocacy.

Of particular concern are the estimated 6,000 children every day who lose a parent to AIDS and AIDS-related illnesses. When children lose their parents — especially at the substantial rates reported in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and elsewhere — they become increasingly vulnerable to increased poverty, loss of education opportunities, child labor, exploitation, and often, HIV infection themselves. World Vision has been addressing the global AIDS crisis for nearly 20 years and has invested nearly a decade in advocating for the funding and protection for these vulnerable children.

View samples of available b-roll of children and families affected by the AIDS pandemic. To obtain b-roll, contact Amy Parodi, 253.709.3190 (c), or Casey Calamusa, 206.310.5476 (c).

The World Vision global vigil

Just prior to World AIDS Day, World Vision hosted its first-ever Global Vigil to raise awareness about the estimated 6,000 children every day who lose a parent to AIDS.

The Global Vigil began in Toronto and continued westward through more than 17 cities around the world during the 24 hours between 9 a.m. EST on Thursday, Nov. 29, and 9 a.m. EST on Friday, Nov. 30.

During each event, a participant read the names of some 350 children who have lost parents in communities hard-hit by AIDS. As the events moved around the globe, the cumulative number of names grew until, at the final event on Friday morning, the last of 6,000 names were read — altogether symbolizing the number of children who will have lost a parent to AIDS that day. Individual vigils also featured speakers, music and opportunities to help children affected by AIDS globally.

View samples of available b-roll from the Global Vigil. To obtain b-roll, contact Amy Parodi at 253.709.3190 or Casey Calamusa at 206.310.5476 .

Vigil events were held in the following U.S. and international cities:

Toronto, Canada New York City, USA Chicago, USA San Salvador, El Salvador Los Angeles, USA Federal Way, Wash., USA Seattle, USA Auckland, New Zealand Jakarta, Indonesia

Seoul, South Korea Hong Kong Colombo, Sri Lanka Delhi, India Nairobi, Kenya Johannesburg, South Africa Frankfurt, Germany Dublin, Ireland

• More about the New York City vigil event
• Contact Amy Parodi for more information

World Vision’s AIDS Survey: Global Attitudes

In addition, this year, World Vision issued the results of its first-ever international AIDS Attitudes Survey. This report reflects the attitudes about the global AIDS crisis among populations in seven wealthy countries: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France and Japan. The survey, conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs, measures levels of concern about the international AIDS issue in these countries. Advocacy groups like World Vision can use these results to see where additional education is needed to educate groups to the scope and scale of the global AIDS crisis.

See the remarks of World Vision U.S. President Richard Stearns during the release of the AIDS Attitude Survey at the United Nations.

Resources for journalists

• AIDS Attitude Survey: Key findings, executive report, full survey results
• Remarks of World Vision U.S. president at the United Nations press conference on AIDS knowledge and awareness
• More about global AIDS and its impact on children
• Sample b-roll of AIDS affected children and families
• Sample b-roll from the Global Vigil

  To obtain b-roll, contact Amy Parodi, 253.709.3190 or Casey Calamusa, 206.310.5476

• World Vision's work to fight global AIDS
• World Vision's advocacy on the AIDS issue