World AIDS Day, observed December 1, is dedicated to raising awareness of the global AIDS epidemic caused by the spread of HIV infection.

The concept originated at the 1988 World Summit of Ministers of Health on Programmes for AIDS Prevention. Since then, it has been taken up by governments, international organizations and charities around the world.

World AIDS Day Themes 1988 - 2003
1988 Join the Worldwide Effort
1989 Our Lives, Our World-Let's Take Care of Each Other
1990 Women and AIDS
1991 Sharing the Challenge
1992 A Community Commitment
1993 Time to Act
1994 AIDS and the Family
1995 Shared Rights, Shared Responsibilities
1996 One World. One Hope
1997 Children Living in a World with AIDS
1998 Force for Change
1999 Listen, Learn, Live!
2000 Men Make a Difference
2001 Out of Sight... Out of Mind
2002 54321
2003 Stigma and Discrimination

World AIDS Day 2002