2007 Speeches
Health and Family Life Education National Primary School HIV/AIDS Prevention Poster Competion 2007 - May 2, 2007
Good afternoon Students and Faculty of Holy Redeemer, Parents, Ladies and Gentlemen:
It is my pleasure to participate in this ceremony for the National Primary School HIV/AIDS Poster Competition. Today we celebrate and recognize the creativity of students whose unique artwork will advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention, help to reduce stigma and discrimination towards persons living with HIV/AIDS, and raise young Belizeans’ awareness about the disease.
You may be aware that HIV/AIDS has been on the increase in Belize since the first case was diagnosed in 1986. According to the Ministry of Health, nearly 4,000 Belizeans are now diagnosed as HIV positive. Statistics demonstrate that those most affected are between the ages of 15 and 44, and unfortunately it is the younger age group where the increases are most dramatic. Studies have shown that increasingly young people are at risk and we, as responsible parents, educators and members of society, need to supply students with the proper information to help them to make healthy, responsible and informed choices. This is why the Ministries of Health and Education have supported a number of initiatives to raise awareness in the schools here in Belize.
In addition, the United States Government is working with Belize to raise awareness in Belize and the region. In 2003, Belize began receiving special U.S. funding under the Ambassador’s HIV Prevention Program. This program supplements the large government-to-government assistance we provide through the Global Fund, the Department of Labor, and the like. The Ambassador’s Grant Program is intended to support local initiatives, selected by our Embassy here in Belize, to promote community awareness of HIV and to cover a wide-range of activities that might not otherwise receive financial support. To date the Ambassador’s Grant Program has provided over BZ $167,000 for various initiatives in Belize.
It was through this Grant Program that Chief Education Officer Maud Hyde and I signed a Memorandum of Understanding last October and I handed over a check for BZ$12,000 to organize and promote countrywide competitions in the creative arts among students to address stigma and discrimination and to promote HIV prevention messages. My thought was that often young people are in the best position to know what messages are most effective in communicating to their age group. In addition to this poster contest, grants were made to produce a DVD movie about HIV; a documentary and public service announcements for the Know-Your-Status campaign; and to provide funding for community-based workshops for students and children and families directly affect by HIV. We are here today to continue that commitment and to inform you that we again have BZ$50,000 in funds for this coming year’s Grants Program. The Embassy will send out a request for new ideas and proposals very soon. Stigma and discrimination will be an important focus this year because this area is still a major barrier to HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment.
This poster competition is a creative way to inform young people about HIV and AIDS, and recognizes that we all must work together to prevent the spread of the disease and to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS. It is my hope this competition will be particularly valuable in spreading that message.
I am honored to be here to recognize the achievements of those students whose posters made it through to the finals. I would like to congratulate the finalists on a job well done but also allow me to praise all of the students who participated in the competition. All of you are winners, and all have contributed to this worthy cause. Your actions demonstrate your commitment to fighting with us – only together can we hope to win the fight against this terrible disease.
Thank you.
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