The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launched a two-year global campaign against stigma and discrimination in May, 2002 as part of the International Federation's Global Programme on HIV/AIDS.

The campaign, spearheaded globally and managed and implemented nationally, works to change perceptions, attitudes, policies, and behaviour in order to:

• ensure that those people who are already HIV-positive or have AIDS are able to receive appropriate care, have access to affordable drugs, and live full and useful lives within their communities, and
• prevent a further spread of the infection and increase individuals' willingness to be tested to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Main Communication Strategies
The framework and strategy, campaign signature, materials, and tools for the campaign are developed by the Secretariat and shared with societies and delegations. EachNational Society develops its own strategy, and undertakes actions and advocacy best suited to its needs. The Secretariat provides ongoing support to National Societies and ensures coordination of the campaign at the global level. The idea is that all National Societies will become involved in the campaign, adapting the actions and advocacy to their own reality, and working closely with local communities, with support from the Federation Secretariat and delegations.

One activity associated with the campaign launch by many National Societies is the removal of a blindfold from the eyes of a leader of the Red Cross or Red Crescent, a public figure, a celebrity, or a statue or a poster/photo of a known individual. This symbolic act is intended to demonstrate the Red Cross Red Crescent's willingness to examine and face its own response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic as well as to underline the commitment to join the fight against HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination.

Selected examples of campaign activities include:

• In Madagascar, the Red Cross held a special HIV/AIDS exhibition in a cultural public centre. A one-hour debate on stigma and discrimination for a private channel TV station took place and brochures and condoms were delivered in the streets.
• The Somalia Red Cross Society has worked to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and has distributed videos, audio cassettes, T-shirts, and other visual aids to all its branches in the local Somali language.
• The Rwanda Red Cross participated in the campaign launch, producing a video, printing T-shirts and caps, and making up a task force to work on the campaign.
• The Kenya Red Cross held a Red Cross golf tournament as a fund-raising initiative. The event attracted 129 participants from the business and diplomatic community.
• West African National Societies worked on a 45-minute radio programme, which was diffused country wide in Cote d'Ivoire (23 stations) and two other radio stations in French-speaking west Africa. The programme was posted on the Canadian and French community radio web sites.
• Events across the Southern Africa region included door-to-door visits for public education by Red Cross volunteers, sessions in schools, and theatrical representations. A short video featuring people living with HIV/AIDS is in the works.
• In Saint Lucia, messages about HIV/AIDS and the discrimination associated with it were disseminated by the Red Cross and the ministry of health. At its annual rally held on May 5, 2002, the president encouraged those attending to continue to be ambassadors for the Red Cross.
• There was a painting and composition competition run by the Youth section of the Guatemalan Red Cross.
• In Sri Lanka, there was a campaign to raise public awareness about HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination and the misuse of the Red Cross emblem.
• Several Mongolian rock bands, boy bands, girl bands and hip-hoppers took the stage to dance, sing, and rap messages of tolerance and compassion for HIV-positive people
• The Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society (PNGRCS) held an exhibition at the National Museum on the activities of the society.
• The French Red Cross produced a special supplementary publication about HIV/AIDS which includes news, information on funds and initiatives, and personal accounts from people living with HIV/AIDS.
• A 'training of trainers on HIV/AIDS' was held in Damascus, Syria. Eight Red Crescent and Red Cross National Societies from Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Syria and Yemen joined together to exchange ideas and best practises about fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Also produced were an International Federation booklet and CD-Rom focusing on concerns about transmission in first aid situations and providing preventive measures and hygienic practices to prevent infection; an International Federation publication detailing the global programme to help families and communities in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases; and an International Federation video that focuses on how HIV/AIDS is affecting Red Cross Red Crescent people and that aims to inform, initiate debate, and demonstrate the Red Cross Red Crescent commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS. Information on these publications is available at IFRC site.