Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Cresent Societies - 19 December 2001
Rohan Kay in Chiang Mai, Thailand
The touring photographic exhibition shows sixty powerful pictures signed by professionals from the Network Photographers agency.
"I have lived with the images of those Indian eyes since I first saw them 18 months ago. The pictures and stories in this exhibition show the suffering and the tremendous courage of people living with HIV/AIDS," said Dr Alvaro Bermejo, Federation's Head of health and care department in Geneva, who opened the exhibition. He was referring to images of HIV positive people who wanted to tell their story but did not want to be identified.
The aim of the Positive Lives project is to "illuminate positive human responses to this world crisis" and inspire action whilst "challenging the fear, prejudice and misunderstanding surrounding HIV/AIDS". The exhibition, part of which can be viewed on www.positivelives.com, also shows portraits and stories of Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and health professionals involved in HIV prevention and care work.
"I am confident that this exhibition will contribute to changing the attitudes that many of us have as individuals and organisations towards people living with the virus", said Dr Bermejo.
Said Kevin Ryan, project director of the Positive Lives project: "These works show that HIV infected people HIV are living with the disease, not just dying from it. This exhibition is one opportunity to fight the prejudice that people living with HIV and AIDS face every day."
The Fifth International Conference on Home and Community Care for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS is a biennial event that focuses on the care and support needs of HIV/AIDS sufferers ,patients and caregivers alike. Out of the 3000 participants, 300 are Red Cross and Red Crescent members from National Societies in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. Some of the caregivers attending the conference are HIV positive.
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