Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - May 18, 2005
Joe Lowry and Elena Nyanenkova
Colourful t-shirts, balloons, banners and posters have started to adorn Kiev's best-known bars, restaurants and clubs. Better still, several national Eurovision delegations have agreed to wear 'Come Closer' T-shirts at press and public events.
Delegations have been contacted by their national Red Cross societies and asked to support the campaign, in an initiative spearheaded by Irish Red Cross. Brother and sister team "Donna and Joe" will perform the Irish entry called 'Love?', and the sentiment is more than appropriate.
"I think this campaign is brilliant," said 17-year-old Joe McCaul. "I've a friend back home with AIDS - we need to show that you can't get AIDS by shaking hands and that sort of thing."
Ukraine Red Cross is also using the opportunity to come closer to the All-Ukrainian Network of People Living with HIV. May 15 was AIDS Memorial Day and the Federation, together with other agencies, used the occasion to launch both the 'Come Closer' campaign, and a memorial slogan - 'I remember, do you?' Both actions are aimed at bringing people - HIV positive and HIV negative - closer together.
HIV/AIDS is one of the most pressing issues for Ukraine. AIDS morbidity and mortality statistics are clear evidence of the rapid growth of the epidemic. According to estimates made by international and national experts, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Ukraine may now exceed 400,000 (almost 1.6 per cent of the adult population).
Ukraine also has the highest number of HIV-positive young people in Europe - boys and girls aged between 15 and 24 years. Therefore mobilising efforts and resources for a response to the epidemic is of particular importance and requires immediate action.
At a press launch in Kiev, Red Cross volunteers wearing t-shirts and holding balloons asked the participants to 'Come closer - you can't get HIV by being a friend'. Other messages include 'Hug me - you can't get HIV by hugging' and 'Talk to me - you can't get AIDS by talking'.
The messages appear in English and Ukrainian, as they will form an integral part of the Red Cross anti-stigma messages during Eurovision and throughout the year. During the Eurovision Festival Red Cross volunteers will join with those from many other agencies handing out leaflets, condoms and information to Ukrainians and visitors.
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