Blogging Positively: Tweeting World AIDS Day 2011

The microblogging platform Twitter is seen as an instrumental tool for activists working in the field of HIV/AIDS to educate and to raise awareness about this global issue. In 2010, there were 34 million people living with HIV with 2.7 million people newly infect with HIV, which shows that the fight is far from over. International organizations have recognized the importance of citizen media as a way to reach and connect like-minded people committed to combatting the spread of the disease.

Photo by Lammy831 and used under a Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) license.

UNAIDS launched a global campaign called “Crowd Out AIDS” as way to bring young people together to “Connect, Share, Find Solutions, and Participate in Collective Action.” The online component of the campaign centers around the hashtag #CrowdOutAIDS and they invite young people to tweet how they want to become involved.

Now with the lead up to the annual observance of World AIDS Day that takes place every December 1, Twitter helps shine a spotlight on global efforts and activities taking place around the world. The hashtags #WAD11 and #WorldAIDSDay are already being used and will help provide a snapshot of what is taking place around the world on World AIDS Day.

The use of citizen media to connect people and to tell stories about this disease that affects millions of families around the world has been the foundation of the Rising Voices initiative “Blogging Positively.” Formed in 2008 by activists working in this field, the community helped create a guide that provides tips and tutorials for global activists on ways to best utilize citizen media in their work. The guide is now available in five languages, with Arabic on the way.

Based on a spark from the Blogging Positively community, Rising Voices would like to invite global users to tweet about how World AIDS Day is being commemorated in your community. Please use the hashtag #BlogPos, as well as #WAD11 to help us locate the tweets. A selection of tweets from around the world will be featured on Rising Voices in the days following World AIDS Day. You can tweet in any language. Please remember to include the country from where you are tweeting to help us provide a global snapshot.

Some of your tweets may include information about:

  • How is your community commemorating World AIDS Day?
  • What are some of the ongoing issues related to HIV/AIDS facing your community?
  • What are you doing to help fight stigma or raise awareness in your community?
  • What role does citizen media play in the fight against HIV/AIDS?

We're looking forward to reading your tweets on this important day.

5 comments

  • HAGENIMANA EMMANUEL

    This important day is well celebrated in our country(RWANDA).but until now there are some problems.young girls(between 15&24) are now considered as most at risk people.to mean that we have many things to do.like sensitisation or mobilisation of young people and to try to reduce hunger and poverty which is behind the HIV/AIDS transmission.so ,let us move together and our commitment will be of great importance .THANKS.

  • […] too can be involved with Blogging Positively if you're interested in citizen media related to HIV/AIDS. If you're on Twitter for World […]

  • […] people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV(AIDS) in anyway they can. On December 1, 2011 Rising Voices invited global users to tweet about how World AIDS Day is being commemorated in different communities. The […]

  • The world AIDS day celebration took place in the Old-Ayoma and its surrounding towns and villages (Baglo, Kute, Dzolu, Baika, Lekanti, New-Ayoma, etc.) all of Eastern Jasikan District of the Volta Region of Ghana and was organize by Hope and Service to Mankind Foundation.

    World AIDS Day Workshops
    • Knowledge that using condoms can prevent all sexually transmitted diseases. Effectiveness against pregnancy.
    • A Collaborative Solution for Tropical Diseases (Research, Treatment, and Prevention of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis) in our communities
    • Factors influencing adherence and self management processes.
    • HIV/AIDS Prevention; HIV/AIDS Treatment or Therapies; Patient care
    • Behavioural and social sciences related to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care, focusing on communities hardest hit by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
    • HIV and AIDS are often misunderstood and misrepresented. AIDS is a disease draped in stigma and fear due to lack of understanding of how it is transmitted and treated.
    • People in HIV- and AIDS-affected communities are not helpless victims. We are responding by mobilizing communities and group resources to educate about HIV and AIDS, provide care for those affected, and advocate for the resources and support they require to fight this disease.

    We have been very instrumental over the years in establishing Networks and partners in neighbourhoods, family to family, groups, inviting and training people (volunteers) of the communities to become health promoters.

    The celebrating this special day with the communities have inspired them to adopt non-violent attitude, to clarify and inform the families, individuals and the communities at large on the prevention against HIV/AIDSand STI, and Tuberculosis by organising concrete activities in the up coming years.

  • […] Voices in 2011. We closed out the year with the commemoration of World AIDS Day in December 1 by promoting the use of the hashtag #BlogPos (blogging […]

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