World AIDS Day 2008

World AIDS Day, observed each year on 1 December, is dedicated to raising awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It provides an opportunity to express solidarity and support for those living with HIV/AIDS, and to ensure the pandemic is kept on the national and international agenda. Globally, an estimated 33 million people are living with HIV, with nearly 7500 new infections each day.

The World AIDS Campaign has chosen "leadership" as the global theme for 2007-2008, urging all levels of society—individuals, organizations and governments—to take the lead in the response to HIV/AIDS. This theme is intended to highlight the discrepancy between the commitments made to halt the spread of AIDS, and actions taken to follow them through.