Internationally acclaimed actress and an eminent social activist, Ms
Shabana Azmi has been appointed as the SAARC Goodwill Ambassador for
HIV/AIDS Programme for SAARC countries in the region. SAARC member
nations (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan,
Maldives, Sri Lanka and India) who met in Kathmandu in the month of
April this year, selected Ms Shabana Azmi and the legendary cricketer
Mr Sanath Jayasuriya as SAARC Goodwill Ambassadors for HIV/AIDS from
a large number of nominations which had been received from the member
countries.
Ms. Shabana Azmi's name was recommended by National AIDS Control
Organisation (NACO) The conferment of the title and the launch of the
programme for SAARC Goodwill Ambassadors is likely to take place
during the 15th SAARC Summit to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 2nd
and 3rd August, 2008. The National AIDS Control Organisation, and
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have congratulated Ms Aazmi for
being selected as the SAARC Goodwill Ambassador and for agreeing to
contribute in the HIV/AIDS prevention programme.
As the SAARC Goodwill Ambassador, Ms Shabana Azmi will contribute
towards meeting the overall objective of the SAARC regional strategy
through, facilitating implementation of SAARC regional Strategy on
HIV/AIDS and its work Plan in all countries; addressing the issue of
stigma & discrimination and to create greater awareness through mass
media and public appearance in the region; mainstreaming HIV/AIDS to
form part of development agenda and advocate for affordable
treatment, care and support for PLHWA (people living with HIV/AIDS);
and facilitating fund raising from within and outside the region.
The SAARC Goodwill Ambassador(s) Programme was conceived with the
objective of facilitating the SAARC Regional Strategy on HIV/AIDS and
its work plan. Engaging regionally well-known personalities would not
only provide necessary prominence to the issue but also ensure the
message being reached to the furthest corner of the region. As an
eminent social activist and a renowned film actor, Ms Azmi will
contribute significantly towards strengthening the prevention
programmes to gain momentum and visibility in the region.
`The SAARC Goodwill Ambassador(s)' is an honorary title conferred
upon the candidate whom the selection committee found as most
suitable for the title. Upon conferment of the title, SAARC
secretariat will provide necessary credentials to the candidate to
begin his/her role as the SAARC Goodwill Ambassador(s) on a voluntary
basis for a period of two yearsÂ
Sources.....
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=39585
[Submitted by Rishi]
