Look To The Stars News: UNAIDS

Naomi Watts To Cut The Lights For World AIDS Day

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:30:00 -0000

The lights on the Washington Square Park Memorial Arch will go off at 6:15 pm tonight, December 1, for World AIDS Day.

The New York City Light for Rights event will feature United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, amfAR chairman Kenneth Cole, UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Naomi Watts, New York City Speaker of the City Council Christine C. Quinn, and 13-year-old AIDS activist Keren Dunaway-Gonzalez.

The lights will be out for 5 minutes as part of the Light for Rights event. Light For Rights events are happening in cities and towns all over the world and will bring thousands of people together on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2009, to honor those we have lost to AIDS and to highlight the fundamental rights we all share

To find out about Lights for Rights events near you, click here.

Carla Bruni Raises AIDS Awareness

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Marie Gorrettie

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, the French First Lady and singer, will travel to Burkina Faso to visit Global Fund-supported Aids programs in Burkina Faso on what will be her first official trip as a Global Ambassador for the Protection of Mothers and Children against AIDS.

According to the Joint United Nations Programme HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), approximately 130,000 people are living with the disease in Burkina Faso, of which slightly less than half are women. Approximately 10,000 children in the country are estimated to be living with the HIV virus or AIDS.

Burkina Faso managed to bring down HIV infections from 7.4% in 1997 to 2% in 2005 according to a UN report published in 2008.

According to the 2008 UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic, the fight against AIDS is beginning to see strong success in some areas, such as providing treatment for those living with HIV, but little progress has been made in preventing transmission of HIV from mother to child and in assisting women to protect themselves from HIV infection.

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy will travel to Burkina Faso in West Africa to visit the capital of Ouagadougou and meet mothers and their children infected with HIV and also to see the efforts made to prevent transmission from HIV positive mothers to their children. She will also meet health officials and charity workers and visit a centre that provides HIV testing and counseling where people can voluntarily go to and know their HIV status.

She took up her role as a Global Ambassador for Protection of Mothers and Children Against AIDS on last year’s World AIDS Day, giving a voice on the Global Stage for the many mothers and children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.

As she announced her new role, she pledged to use her celebrity status to draw attention to the most vulnerable victims of AIDS.

“I believe we have gotten used to this disease and we don’t see it as scandalous or a matter of urgency,” she said on the day her appointment was confirmed. “Too often, women are frightened – frightened of being treated, frightened of being excluded from their communities and families.”

Women are more psychologically and socially vulnerable to infection, suffering from the epidemic’s negative effects. Women are the primary care givers in Africa and have seen their household and community burdens grow as a result of HIV, often compromising their own health and their ability to generate income. Children are also among the most vulnerable groups, putting them at risk physically, emotionally and economically.

The French First Lady also has her own personal reasons for becoming an AIDS Campaigner – her own elder brother Virginio Bruni Tedeschi died in 2006 following a long battle with the illness.

The Global Fund is supporting AIDS Programs around the world to reduce the burden of HIV/AIDS on mothers and children with activities like counseling and testing, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, providing orphans and vulnerable children with basic care and support and providing treatment to people in need of it. The advocacy of Carla Bruni-Sarkozy will lead to greater attention on the need to scale up such work world wide.

Jackie Chan Hands Over Cash To Boys' And Girls' Club

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Action star Jackie Chan took a break from filming his latest movie last week to present two checks to organizations that benefit children.

The actor is currently filming The Spy Next Door in New Mexico, and was asked to attend the ceremony to present the money to the children’s charities in Albuquerque. Chan – who told Look To The Stars that the biggest problem in the world today is the “suffering of children” – presented the checks on behalf of Pulte Homes, which owns the model home village where The Spy Next Door is being filmed. The company donated $5,000 to the Boys' and Girls' Club of Albuquerque and $5,000 to Southwest Multimedia.

“I’m very lucky to be able to help children who are suffering the the world,” Chan told Look To The Stars last year. "Since I am Ambassador for UNICEF and UNAIDS, I am able to help raise interest in the problems that children face. Plus I am involved with my own charities here in Asia – the Dragon's Heart Charity and the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation. There are so many problems for children! Sometimes I feel that I just can’t do enough for them – as soon as I solve the problem of one group, I notice that another group is suffering. I try, but it’s never enough."

Jackie Chan Receives UNICEF Award

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Action star Jackie Chan has received a special UNICEF award for his work with children.

Chan was a guest at a UNICEF reception held in China on August 9, where awards were presented to UNICEF supporting partners and goodwill ambassadors who have aided the organization’s efforts to help children all over the world. The event – called Champions for Children – served two purposes: to advocate for vulnerable children and to thank all of UNICEF’s partners, including the Chinese government, for their tireless work.

Attendees at the function listened to talks from Chan and world reknowned pianist Lang Lang, as well as the words of young survivors from the Sichuan earthquake.

“The May 12th earthquake hurt our people, but many uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters are helping us,” said one 12-year-old survivor. “Our new school has already been built; we have received donations and supplies from all over the world. I plan to study hard and invent a machine to control earthquakes, so that no more people will have to suffer as a result of earthquakes.”

Chan – who has been a UNICEF Ambassador since 2004 – said he was glad to have the opportunity to help and added that he is eager to help children not only in China but all over the world. “Call me anytime, I will be there,” he said.

Chan is well known for his interest in supporting children’s charities, and last year talked to Look To The Stars about his work.

“Since I am Ambassador for UNICEF and UNAIDS, I am able to help raise interest in the problems that children face," he told us. "Plus I am involved with my own charities here in Asia – the Dragon's Heart Charity and the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation. There are so many problems for children! Sometimes I feel that I just can’t do enough for them – as soon as I solve the problem of one group, I notice that another group is suffering. I try, but it’s never enough."

Bill Clinton Speaks At AIDS Conference

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The eyes of the world are this week firmly fixed on AIDS 2008, the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City.

The week-long conference officially opened on Sunday night, and last night (August 4) featured a rousing speech by former US president Bill Clinton.

“AIDS is a very big dragon. The mythological dragon was slain by Saint George, the original knight in shining armor, but this dragon must be slain by millions and millions of foot soldiers,” he told activists, leaders, and experts who gathered for the conference. “We know there is so much yet to be done: to expand prevention, treatment and care, to strengthen undeveloped health systems.”

The conference will draw around 25,000 participants from across the globe, including Oxfam Ambassador Annie Lennox, UN head Ban Ki-moon, Festus Gontebanye Mogae, Margaret Chan, and Keren Gonzalez – a 12-year-old from Honduras who has been actively involved in a number of HIV-related programs aimed at young people since the age of 9, including acting as editor for a magazine aimed at children aged 8 to 12 years affected directly and indirectly by HIV/AIDS.

AIDS 2008 will provide many opportunities for the presentation of important new scientific research and for productive, structured dialogue on the major challenges facing the global response to AIDS. The conference theme of Universal Action Now emphasizes the need for continued urgency in the worldwide response to HIV/AIDS, and for action on the part of all nations. International partners in the event include UNAIDS, the World Health Organization, the World Food Programme, the International Council of AIDS Service Organizations, the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS/International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS, the World YWCA, and the Asian Harm Reduction Network.

Bill Clinton flew to the conference from Africa, where he had been visiting projects funded by the Clinton Foundation to fight AIDS and malaria.

“Today 1.4 million people with AIDS are using treatments purchased by the Clinton Foundation,” he said. “Thanks to the efforts of our partners, they cost about 120 dollars a year.”

More information about the conference can be found at www.aids2008.org.

Kelly Rowland Tested For HIV To Raise Awareness

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

R&B singer Kelly Rowland has undergone an HIV test in Africa to raise awareness of the disease.

The 27-year-old Destiny’s Child singer took the test while in Nairobi on Thursday to help reduce the stigma of the disease in the country, where people fear discrimination if they are tested.

“Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to HIV infection, and it is important for everyone to know their HIV status,” she said. “The quicker you know your status, the sooner you can receive treatment if you’re HIV+, and reduce the risk of inadvertently infecting future partners.”

Rowland is in Africa as the first ever Ambassador for MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation, and hopes to help the people of Kenya get the disease under control. HIV/AIDS is at pandemic levels through much of Africa, with UNAIDS – the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS – estimating that more than 22 million adults and children are living with the disease on the continent.

The singer also took the time to visit the 2008 recipients of the Staying Alive Foundation’s grants, who have been chosen for their efforts to encourage, educate and empower their peers in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Each grantee receives a cash grant to enable them to realize a project associated with raising the awareness of the disease. The Kenyan recipients of the 2008 Staying Alive Foundation Awards are: The Kisumu Self Help Disabled Group; REPACTED (Rapid Effective Participatory Action in Community Theatre Education and Development); and The Positive Youth Initiative.

“All the 2008 Staying Alive grantees should be proud of the vital function they fulfill in their communities by helping to raise the awareness about HIV/AIDS,” said Rowland. “By stressing the importance of prevention, raising awareness about the basic issues surrounding HIV and AIDS and reducing stigma associated with infection, they are taking direct action to help stop the spread of the disease.”

Jackie Chan Urges For A Peaceful Olympics

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:19:50 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Jackie Chan has come out fighting for the Olympics – despite the current protests occuring around the world as the Olympic Torch makes its way to Beijing.

The 54-year-old star of over 100 action films believes the Games should be used as a platform for peace – not politics – and should represent “unity and love” to heal the problems of the world. The UNICEF and UNAIDS Ambassador is a strong believer in philanthropy and goodwill, and although he can understand the protestors’ desire to be heard, he is disappointed with the way they are doing it.

“They wish to find an outlet to voice their opinions, but I don’t think they should use the Olympics to do so,” said Chan after arriving in Beijing with Jet Li for the world premiere of The Forgotten Kingdom yesterday. “I hope people do not mix sports with politics. This is wrong. I don’t understand why people would want to destroy the Olympics.”

The martial arts star is looking forward to the Games, and has already starred in a series of Olympic TV commercials for Visa, attended a ceremony last August for the official start to the Games’ countdown, and recorded the official Olympic song, We Are Ready. But protests over the Games has been strong, and the running of the Olympic Flame has been marred with hold-ups and opposition. Most of the disapproval centers around China’s continued support of the Sudan despite the on-going humanitarian crises in Darfur, and the issue of Tibet following violent riots in March.

Jet Li, a follower of Tibetan Buddhism who has met the Dalai Lama, refused to comment on the situation.

Exclusive Interview: Jackie Chan Talks To Look To The Stars

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 10:50:00 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

One of the greatest things about our work at Look To The Stars is the chance to ‘discover’ the wonderful things that celebrities do everyday. In doing so, we often find that our idols are true heroes. This is especially true of action hero Jackie Chan, a legend of Hong Kong cinema and star of the three “Rush Hour” movies. Chan volunteers his time to help many charities, the closest to his heart being the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation, an organization that has helped thousands of people since he started it in 1988.

Jackie Chan is a great example of someone who always uses his star power to help others. This can best be seen in his Build a School for a Dollar
program, and in his plea to advertisers to
join him in charity work
.

Although Jackie is always busy running from one event to the next, he is never short of time for charity work. He was kind enough to answer a few of our questions on that topic:

LTTS: What do you feel is the biggest problem with the world today?

Jackie Chan: The suffering of children. There is just no problem that
is bigger than that. When you see children hungry or sick, your heart
just breaks. I have never seen anything worse in my whole life.

LTTS: What steps would you take to correct this problem?

Jackie Chan: I’m very lucky to be able to help children who are
suffering the the world. Since I am Ambassador for UNICEF
and UNAIDS, I am able to help raise interest in the problems
that children face. Plus I am involved with my own charities here in
Asia – the Dragon's Heart Charity and the Jackie Chan
Charitable Foundation. There are so many problems for children!
Sometimes I feel that I just can’t do enough for them – as soon as I
solve the problem of one group, I notice that another group is
suffering. I try, but it’s never enough.

LTTS: Do you have any message for our readers?

Jackie Chan: I guess I would like to remind everyone that we live now
in a global village and we are in one single family. It’s our
responsibility to bring friendship and love from all different places
around the world and live together in peace.

LTTS: Jackie Chan, thank you very much for taking the time to answer
our questions. You are a great inspiration.

Fiennes, Shilpa Raise AIDS Awareness in India

Fri, 09 Feb 2007 12:23:18 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

British actor Ralph Fiennes and the UK Celebrity Big Brother winner Shilpa Shetty are doing their parts to raise AIDS awareness in India.

With 5.7 million infections, India has the world’s largest number of people living with HIV and AIDS. According to UNAIDS figures 202,000 of these are children, with about 60,000 more children likely to be born with HIV every year.

Although the Indian government offers free drugs and people are gradually beginning to speak openly about the issues involved, a social stigma commonly surrounds the disease. People affected by HIV and AIDS are often disowned by their famies, denied treatment at hospitals, made outcasts in their communities, and their children barred from schools.

At the end of January, Fiennes visited four villages in five days while travelling as an ambassador to UNICEF. The English Patient star listened to the experiences of young people and children affected by HIV in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.

“What has moved me is not the tragedy or the shadow over these people, but the strength it brings out in them,” he said about meeting with people were disowned by their families once they learned they were HIV positive.

“Education, awareness and prevention are the key, but stigmatization and exclusion from family is what makes people suffer most,” he said.

AIDS has also been an important issue to Bollywood actess Shilpa Shetty for the past four years. She is starting a charity dedicated to to raising AIDS awareness called the Shilpa Shetty Foundation, and is donating all of her winnings from Big Brother to the cause.

Shetty’s performance as an AIDS patient in the Bollywood film Phir Milenge won her several Best Actress nominations.

She says, “India is the second largest affected country in the world with the AIDS. So I think it’s important to do something about it and it’s every person’s right to live with dignity in our country, even it’s a person who is HIV positive.”

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