By Isra Shah on
President-elect Barack Obama released taped remarks commemorating the twentieth anniversary of World AIDS Day earlier this week.
Presented to an audience at the Saddleback Civil Forum on Global Health in Washington D.C, the message called for a look back on the history of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in order to find a sense of renewed commitment to help eradicate the disease today.
Obama noted that the fight to find a cure for AIDS in the United States must include a “strong national strategy of education, prevention, and treatment,” but pointed out that simply adding government presence or extra dollars are not enough. “We all must do our part,” he stated. Keeping the forum’s faith based audience in mind, the President-elect referenced the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, emphasizing the need for attendees to sound the proverbial trumpet for a new battle against HIV/AIDS.
First began in 1988, by the World Health Organization, World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 each year. The organization works to bring individuals, NGO’s, and national governments from around the world together to bring attention to the ongoing crisis. In step with creating a broad strategy to increase HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care, the World AIDS campaign has chosen “Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise” as its theme for the years 2005-2010.
President-elect Obama’s full remarks can be viewed here, and to learn more about World AIDS Day and how to get involved, visit www.worldaidscampaign.org/en.
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