HIV/AIDS Education Workshop Graduation
Tuesday 7 October 2008, Gerehu, Port Moresby
Speech by Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Mr. Chris Moraitis
Ladies and gentlemen
It gives me great pleasure to be here today as you conclude your HIV/AIDS awareness training workshop. I would first like to congratulate each of you for taking the initiative to get involved to help address this crippling disease.
HIV and AIDS are among the greatest development issues confronting Papua New Guinea.
As we all remember, Australia Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visited Papua New Guinea earlier this year. During this historic trip, the Australian Government outlined a renewed commitment to assist PNG in its fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS.
As Prime Minister Rudd outlined, the Australian Government is providing increased funding to help fight the spread of HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea, including a commitment of $13 million to NGOs working across Papua New Guinea with people affected by HIV/AIDS.
NGOs working in this field receiving support include Save the Children, World Vision, and Anglicare – which has successfully delivered your training workshops.
AusAID projections for Papua New Guinea on HIV/AIDS infection rates out to 2025 are alarming. Today, there are than 33.2 million adults and children living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, and currently between 40,000 and 60,000 people with HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea:
• a “business as usual” response will result in half a million cases by 2025;
• a strengthened response will result in 350,000 cases by 2025; and
• a heightened response through education, prevention and management will result in 220,000 cases by 2025.
This funding boost will allow NGOs to continue working on awareness programs, prevention, and treatment and counselling for people living and working in areas most affected by HIV/AIDS.
Education and behavioural change are key elements in the fight against HIV. This is where you come in.
You have taken the very important step not only to learn more about combating HIV/AIDS, but also to equip yourselves to spread the word in your communities. I hope every one of you will take the important messages and information you’ve gained through the workshops home and help educate everyone you know, with the facts about HIV and AIDS.
Each and every one of you here today is to be commended and congratulated for your extraordinary effort to make a difference in the future of Papua New Guinea.
Messages such as practicing safe sex and not discriminating against people living with HIV might seem simple and obvious but it is at this level that we need to fight against the tide of HIV.
And coming from people like yourselves that are held in such high esteem in your communities, the impact can be great.
Helping us get out messages about HIV and AIDS will last a lifetime and make a big difference to the lives of many people.
I am confident that harnessing this energy and support for the fight against HIV and AIDS will have a lasting impact on Papua New Guinea.
Thank you.