4-8 February: Week of Action to Treat AIDS Now
Get planning for a last blast of action to influence the UK's response to the AIDS crisis for the next 3 years.
In 2005, world leaders promised treatment for all by 2010. The UK government led the way in securing this promise. But they are not taking the action to make sure this promise is kept. Less than 30% of those in need of treatment receive it, and only a quarter of the funds needed to tackle AIDS are available. If the response is not scaled up urgently the universal access target will be missed - by more than a decade - and millions will die unnecessarily.
Tell the government to take bold and urgent action in support of communities affected by HIV and AIDS around the world. Email DFID now!
We cannot afford to wait, or for millions it will be too late.
Week of action on the UK’s new AIDS strategy: February 4-8
The UK’s new strategy is due to be published in March/April, with most of the important decisions taken in February. Government insiders report that campaigning around World AIDS Day has ‘made AIDS a political issue’ once again. Let’s keep up the pressure to ensure its at the top of their agenda when the final decisions are taken!
Members of the the Stop AIDS campaign are available to speak at events during the week of action on the importance of the UK’s AIDS strategy - and the importance of taking action to influence it. If you would like a speaker for an event please email us, with details, and we’ll do our best to help. We can also send you a short (5 minute) film to show: email us to request a copy.
Liverpool’s AIDS is POLITICAL message won over Neighbours’ Dr Kennedy
1. Get the message out that AIDS is POLITICAL and our action can turn the crisis around.
Take your message straight to the government with video messaging:
- Show decision makers how many people care
- Send a personal message directly to those in power
Be as creative, simple or in-depth as you like
- How to collect your messages
2. Collect action cards
Action cards are an effective way to demonstrate mass support for the campaign. Running a stall at lunchtimes during the week of action is a fun and easy way to collect lots of cards, Get inspired by some attention grabbing ideas
3. Lobby your MP
Aberystwyth P&P hand-in lots of pill cards to their MP Mark WIlliams on World AIDS Day
Luke Robinson
P&P campaigners alone handed-in over 4000 pill action-cards to Hilary Benn in 2006
SW/P&P
Meet your MP at his/her local constituency office. You do not need to be an expert. Just brush up using these webpages or the campaign guide and be willing to ask some questions.
Find further advice and resources for lobbying your MP
Ask your MP to:
Write to government ministers to raise your concerns. We are focusing particularly on the Treasury and the Department for International Development (DFID). They should inform you of the response they receive.
Sign Early Day Motions (EDMs) - a Parliamentary petition. The more MPs we get to sign an EDM, the more pressure there will be on the government to act on our demands. Ask your MP to sign EDM 183 on DFID’s new AIDS strategy and the action needed to meet universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment by 2010. Read the full text of the EDM and check if your MP has signed it on the Government’s Early Day Motion webpage.
4. Post your action cards and video messages to the P&P support office.
Please do this straight away after your event: as we need enough time to collect the action cards together, and edit the video ready to hand-in to the government on 19 February.
If you’d like to help hand-in the cards and messages, email Chloe.
Order more campaign materials here