Just a week after turning to the world of the arts to promote its cause, the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) went out on the soccer field today, enlisting German National Team captain Michael Ballack as a Special Representative to save young lives by raising awareness with a focus on youth and sport.
Just a week after turning to the world of the arts to promote its cause, the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) went out on the soccer field today, enlisting German National Team captain Michael Ballack as a Special Representative to save young lives by raising awareness with a focus on youth and sport.
“Through his dedication and eagerness to make a difference, I know he will be a strong voice on HIV and AIDS,” UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Peter Piot said. “Mr Ballack’s talent and commitment will inspire young people to be smart about HIV.”
Through his achievement in the world of sport Mr. Ballack is a role model for many young people, and his engagement with UNAIDS will help carry messages on prevention and support in HIV and AIDS issues, the Programme noted.
“AIDS is everyone’s business. Sport and especially football can help break social barriers and fight stigma and HIV,” Mr. Ballack said. “Through sport young people can become more self-confident and protect themselves from HIV.
“I want today’s youth to know the facts about HIV and AIDS. In my new role as UNAIDS Special Representative, I will help save lives by engaging the sports world to take action against AIDS,” he added.
Last week, UNAIDS named Mary Davis Fisher, a prominent US-based writer, artist and motivational speaker who travels around the world advocating for those who share her HIV-positive status, as a Special Representative.
About a year after she was diagnosed as HIV positive, Ms. Fisher delivered a landmark speech at the 1992 Republican National Convention, moving the audience in the hall and millions more around the world with her call for action against AIDS. Since then she has been internationally recognized as a chronicler of the global AIDS epidemic.
According to UNAIDS, nearly 40 million people are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, with a child dying of an AIDS-related illness every minute and another becoming infected with HIV. Around half of all new HIV infections are in children and young people under 25.