In commemoration of World AIDS Day 2007, UNAIDS and China Red Cross Foundation are organizing a joint project “The Great AIDS Walk” at Juyongguan Great Wall with the support of the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria (GBC). The aim of this activity is to create wide awareness of the AIDS issues in China, mobilize leaders in various sectors and generate funds to support China Red Cross and other organisations’ AIDS activities through the China Red Cross Foundation.

The walk on the Great Wall of China will be organised from 10:30-12:30 on Sunday the 2nd of December 2007. Important leaders from the government, the world of sport, multilateral organisations, the private sector, NGOs, mass organisations, organizations of people living with HIV and individual citizens will be encouraged to participate. This way they are given the opportunity to illustrate their commitment to lead in the AIDS response.

Activities
On the 2nd of December, buses will collect participants at two different pick-up sites in Beijing to drive them to the start of the route by the Great Wall. Various organisations working on AIDS will set up booths at the arrival area close to Juyongguan Great Wall to inform the public about their activities and sell smaller items to generate funds. Participants will be able to visit the booths while they wait for the walk to start and after the walk while waiting for the buses to depart. Speeches by VIPs will launch the walk. The route will be approximately 4 kilometres long.

Participation and Sponsorships
Companies are invited to mobilise a company team to participate as well as provide sponsorships. Companies can invite a group of employees, business partners and/or family members to participate as a team. The event can for example be used as a team building and motivation event for employees. A company team should consist of at least 20 persons. The cost will be at least RMB 100 per person.

In addition, four different types of sponsorship opportunities are offered: RMB 200,000 and above; RMB 100,000; RMB 50,000; and in-kind contribution. Different types give different levels of visibility. Funds generated from this event will go into an AIDS programme fund that will be used to support AIDS activities at community level in China. The fund will particularly benefit people living with HIV. For more information about the activity and details of sponsorships, please contact the China Red Cross Foundation (who will later send out a sponsor package in Chinese):

Ms. Christina Wu, Tel: 65599762, 13810695659  Email: christina824@sohu.com

The event will be marketed through the websites of Chinese Red Cross Foundation (www.crcf.org.cn), UNAIDS, CHAIN, through Chinese media and through other means. Interested individuals will be able to register and pay participation fee through the Red Cross website.

UNAIDS and Red Cross Foundation also welcome companies to donate directly to the AIDS programme fund.

World AIDS Day Background
The World AIDS Day is supported by the World AIDS Campaign. The World AIDS Campaign (WAC) is an independent campaign coordinated by a secretariat. It is supported by UNAIDS and many other important stakeholders in the global response to AIDS.

The theme for World AIDS Day 2007 is leadership. The World AIDS Day slogan that reflects the theme is “Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise”.

Experience has clearly demonstrated that significant advances in the response to HIV have been achieved when there is strong and committed leadership. Leaders are distinguished by their action, innovation and vision; their personal example and engagement of others; and their perseverance in the face of obstacles and challenges. Leadership must be demonstrated at every level to get ahead of the disease - in families, communities, national and local governments, multilateral organisations, civil society and in the private sector.

We hope you will be interested in joining us to support the response to AIDS in China.