international candlelight memorial letters of support for new zealand, 2008

4
Hon Anand Satyanand PCNZM, QSO Governor-General of New Zealand Message to the International Candlelight Memorial Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni. It is with regret that I am unable to attend the 25 th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial in Auckland due to a prior commitment. Twenty-five years ago, when the first Candlelight Memorial was held, AIDS was a frightening new disease that had only been officially reported two years earlier. Since that time, millions worldwide have died and it is estimated that some 33 million people continue to live with the disease today. Despite the recent advent of new treatments that have dramatically improved the quality of life of those living with HIV, the United Nations estimates that in 2007 AIDS still claimed the lives of about 2 million people, including more than 300,000 children. Many were in the developing world where access to these new treatments is limited or non-existent. But as the disease has spread, so has community resolve to fight its spread. From small beginnings, the Candlelight Memorial is now marked more than 100 nations. The Candlelight Memorial is an opportunity to stop and remember not only the lives of those the AIDS epidemic has claimed, but also those it has left in its wake. It is an opportunity to educate everyone about AIDS and to reaffirm our commitment to fighting the stigma and discrimination that many living with AIDS continue to endure. As the theme of this year’s Memorial states, we should never give up and we should never forget. As Governor-General of New Zealand and Patron of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, I send my best regards to everyone attending the 25 th AIDS Candlelight Memorial. No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa. Hon Anand Satyanand, PCNZM, QSO Governor-General of New Zealand

Upload: new-zealand-aids-foundation

Post on 08-Mar-2016

213 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

DESCRIPTION

International Candlelight Memorial Letters of Support for New Zealand, 2008

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: International Candlelight Memorial Letters of Support for New Zealand, 2008

Hon Anand Satyanand PCNZM, QSO Governor-General of New Zealand

Message to the International Candlelight Memorial

Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni. It is with regret that I am unable to attend the 25th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial in Auckland due to a prior commitment. Twenty-five years ago, when the first Candlelight Memorial was held, AIDS was a frightening new disease that had only been officially reported two years earlier. Since that time, millions worldwide have died and it is estimated that some 33 million people continue to live with the disease today. Despite the recent advent of new treatments that have dramatically improved the quality of life of those living with HIV, the United Nations estimates that in 2007 AIDS still claimed the lives of about 2 million people, including more than 300,000 children. Many were in the developing world where access to these new treatments is limited or non-existent. But as the disease has spread, so has community resolve to fight its spread. From small beginnings, the Candlelight Memorial is now marked more than 100 nations. The Candlelight Memorial is an opportunity to stop and remember not only the lives of those the AIDS epidemic has claimed, but also those it has left in its wake. It is an opportunity to educate everyone about AIDS and to reaffirm our commitment to fighting the stigma and discrimination that many living with AIDS continue to endure. As the theme of this year’s Memorial states, we should never give up and we should never forget. As Governor-General of New Zealand and Patron of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, I send my best regards to everyone attending the 25th AIDS Candlelight Memorial. No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa. Hon Anand Satyanand, PCNZM, QSO Governor-General of New Zealand

Page 2: International Candlelight Memorial Letters of Support for New Zealand, 2008

Prime Minister

Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand.

18 May 2007

AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2008 This weekend as we mark the 25th anniversary of the AIDS Candlelight Memorial, we as Kiwis around the country remember those who have died from AIDS. This Candlelight Memorial event is one of the most significant international events that is focussed on awareness and advocacy of HIV/AIDS issues. That is why the New Zealand Aids Foundation’s work in education and advocacy is so important – every day it is helping those who live with the disease. HIV/AIDS is still a significant public health issue that is affecting many communities in our own Pacific region. My message in previous years has been to remind ourselves not to become complacent. It is still important that the next generation of New Zealanders is informed and able to continue working towards meeting the challenges this disease may bring in the future. The 25th AIDS Candlelight Memorial is a sombre, but important event. It allows us to reflect on our own experiences, the lessons that can be learned, and how we as New Zealanders can contribute to this cause. I thank the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, the community-based groups, and the people living with HIV/AIDS and their families and friends, who play a pivotal role in promoting measures to combat HIV/AIDS.

Helen Clark Prime Minister

Page 3: International Candlelight Memorial Letters of Support for New Zealand, 2008

�������������� �������������������������������

����������� ������������������������������������������� �������������

�������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �����������������������!�����"��������#�����"�$$�"�����������������"������%��������������������������������������������������������� �"��"�����

��������� ������"�������%�����������������������������������������������������&����%����"���������������%���"������ ����������"������� �

#������'�"��(��������)������������ �������*����������+�"��������������������������������������������"�"%�����������������%������������% ���������&���������������,��������� �

-���������������&�./�0��������*����������+�"�������������� ��"����������� ������������������������"�"%����������������������&�������������������������������������(�������������������������������������

����������������"���������� ���1����������2�������������������� ����������������� �����������(������"�������������������"������������ �

���%������������3�������4�� �����" ��������������4�����"�������������(�����������3���5�������&�./�0����������������"�6�������(���������7����������������������"�� ������������3���5�������������������������������������� �����������

0����� �����������(������(����������������� ���������������&�����7����������� ������������� �������� �������� �"������������

+ ����"���������������������������� ��������������

8������ �+4������������������������

����� !"9���������������������

+�"%������4�����"������������������

�����������������6

Page 4: International Candlelight Memorial Letters of Support for New Zealand, 2008

Statement from Eamonn Smythe International Candlelight coordinator for the Oceania region. In Oceania, HIV and AIDS is a growing issue among communities of gay and bisexual men but also affecting increasing numbers of women and children. Whilst Candlelight Memorial is a time for remembering those in our region who have died from AIDS, it is also a time to keep in our hearts the thousands who are living with HIV, living with the side effects of medication and also the stigma and discrimination which this virus carries. It’s also a time for raising awareness about the safe sex message. Many of those who have died of AIDS-related illness in our region were vigorous campaigners for HIV prevention, and I think we dishonor the memory of those people if we don’t use the time when we acknowledge their passing, to also try to prevent others from embarking on the same path. We honor their work and the memory of those who have died by doing our utmost to ensure that this current rise in HIV is turned around. Thank you.