Malawi host Candlelight memorial

Malawi will this year hold the 25th Anniversary of International Aids Candlelight Memorial which is scheduled for next month.

The Global Health Council chose the Warm Heart of Africa as the site of the Opening Ceremony to officially commemorate the launch of the worldwide 25th Anniversary Candlelight Memorial May 2008.

The Council will be partnering with the Malawi Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (MANET+) for the ceremony, which will include lighting of the official candle

The southern Africa’s Secretary for Nutrition and HIV/Aids in the office of the president and Cabinet Mary Shawa said Thursday when briefing members of district assemblies from the central region that the Candlelight Memorial will be held under the theme ‘Never Give up, Never Forget.’

Speaking to the local paper of the Nation on Sunday, Shawa called upon assemblies to prepare thoroughly for the event expected to attract international dignitaries to learn and appreciate efforts being taken by the country.

“This year’s event will be special as it will attract international health organisations, the media and reputable dignitaries from all over the world,” she said.

Like last year’s event, the 2008 event will also take place at district level.

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, a program of the Global Health Council, is among the world’s oldest movements by civil society for HIV/AIDS remembrance, awareness and community action.

The historic memorial started in 1983 and takes place every third Sunday in May and is led by some 1,200 volunteer Candlelight Coordinators in 119 countries who host vigils for their communities.

The Candlelight Memorial is also more than just a memorial as offers an opportunity to educate about AIDS, advocate for policy change, foster partnerships and community dialogue, and improve skills for community mobilization.

With 33 million people estimated to be infected worldwide, the Candlelight serves as an important uniting intervention among civil society and their governments, breaking down social barriers, and giving hope to future generations.

The Candlelight Memorial program encourages governments and international leaders to improve policies that affect the conditions of affected communities.

In another development the Irish Republic is set to assist towards Malawi’s 2008/2009 national budget besides the support it renders to individual groups in the country.

“Expect support in the central budget programme,” said Irish Envoy Liam MacGabhann without going into details.

Ireland already commits 10 million Euros about 22 billion Malawi Kwacha by supporting various partners in fighting malnutrition and capacity building.