World AIDS Day - We Care!

World AIDS Day is a great opportunity to get the public talking about HIV and fundraise.

Today is the day  for all of us to learn the facts about HIV.

According to wikipedia AIDS has killed more than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007, and an estimated 33.2 million people worldwide live with HIV as of 2007, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. Despite recent, improved access to antiretroviral treatment and care in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic claimed an estimated 2 million lives in 2007, of which about 270,000 were children.

There are different numerical  data about  the worldwide effect of HIV infection in children on the internet: no matter how many children are infected - the goal is ZERO! 

The Rights of the Child in the context of HIV/AIDS

All children under the age of 18 living in today's world - whether they are themselves infected with HIV, affected by AIDS in their households or communities, or living in the shadow of HIV risk - are recognized by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.The United Nations Con-vention on the Rights of the Child in the context of HIV/AIDS has spelled out principles for reducing children's vulnerability to infection and for protecting children from discrimination because of their real or perceived HIV/AIDS status. This human rights framework can be used by governments to ensure that the best interests of children with regard to HIV/AIDS are promoted and addressed:

•  Children's right to life, survival and development should be guaranteed.The civil rights and freedoms of children should be respected, with emphasis on removing policies which may result in children being separated from their parents or families.                                                
• Children should have access to HIV/AIDS prevention education, information, and to the means of prevention. Measures should be taken to remove social, cultural, political or religious barriers that block children's access to  these.                                                                                                          
• Children's right to confidentiality and privacy in regard to their HIV status should be recognized. This includes the recognition that HIV testing should be voluntary and done with the informed consent of the person involved which should be obtained in the context of pretest counselling. If children's legal guardians are involved, they should pay due regard to the child's view, if the child is of an age or maturity to have such views.

•  All children should receive adequate treatment and care for HIV/AIDS, including those children for whom this may require additional costs because of their circumstances, such as orphans.States should include HIV/AIDS as a disability, if disability laws exist to strengthen the protection of people living with HIV/AIDS against discrimination.

•   Children should have access to health care services and programs, and barriers to access encountered by especially vulnerable groups should be removed.

•  Children should have access to social benefits, including social security and social insurance.

•  Children should enjoy adequate standards of living.

•  Children should have access to HIV/AIDS prevention education and information both in school and out of school, irrespective of their HIV/AIDS status.No discrimination should be suffered by children in leisure, recreational, sport, and cultural activities because of their HIV/AIDS status.

Special measures should be taken by governments to prevent and minimize the impact of HIV/AIDS caused by trafficking, forced prostitution, sexual exploitation, inability to negotiate safe sex, sexual abuse, use of injecting drugs, and harmful traditional practices. 
Source: The Role of the Committee on the Rights of the Child and its Impact on HIV/AIDS: Problems and Prospects, presentation by the World Health Organization Global Programme on AIDS at "AIDS and Child Rights: The Impact on the Asia-Pacific Region", Bangkok, Thailand, 21-26 November 1995.

November 23rd, Children's Day - Future Generations? / Thanksgiving

"I think about the generations
and they say they want to make it
a better place for our children and our children's children
so that they they they know it's a better world for them
and I think they can make it a better place"

Michael Jackson - Heal The World

Since 2002on the third Thursday of the month of November UN / UNESCO celebrate World Philosophy Day, under the declared objective " .... to honor philosophical reflection in the entire world by opening up free and accessible spaces. Its objective is to encourage the peoples of the world to share their philosophical heritage and to open their minds to new ideas, as well as to inspire a public debate between intellectuals and civil society on the challenges confronting our society" 

This year's theme was "Future Generations". The project sounds good, and worth following but international events just throws it into yet another event category instead of a headline sparking a much needed talk.

The European Union leaders are discussing the new budget and though I know there are a lot of issues, a lot of problems for the member countries that need attention and a very well balanced budget, the "solution" to cut development and humanitarian aid is just not the way to go. 

I come from a country within the European Union, one that has benefited greatly in rebuilding at all levels after the Iron Curtain fell from development funds for new members so I have experienced the benefits of these types of policies.

You can take action and help the campaign to keep the EU development and aid fund at One International. Already a petition with 143,021 member's signatures was delivered to the UK Prime Minister under the words of Nelson Mandela “our human compassion binds us; the ONE to the other”.

 

 Days before the "Future Generations" talk in Paris, France the conflict between Israel and Palestine intensified. Both sides fight for future generations. In the process they kill the future. 

 

Children get killed, hurt, live in fear and bare the emotional scars into the future. Future doesn't mean only generations not born yet. I guess being part of a so called "sacrifice generation" set to get lost in transition from communism to democracy, this strikes an emotional chord. 

"The child shall enjoy special protection, and shall be given opportunities and facilities, by law and by other means, to enable him to develop physically, mentally, morally, spiritually and socially in a healthy and normal manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity. In the enactment of laws for this purpose, the best interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration."

Principle 2, DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD  Adopted by UN General Assembly Resolution 1386 (XIV) of 10 December 1959

 

 We have legal framework, we have and create opportunities for talks and setting lines of actions.

ACT.

 

The "It's All For L.O.V.E" blog team would like to wish a Happy Thanksgiving !!! to all of you celebrating.

We are thankful for the love we share.

"For as long as we do not go beyond possible, beyond accounting, we will never conceive of or claim paradise" 

Nicolae Steinhardt, "Happiness Diary"