a '* • \S & UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
MESSAGE TO 'THE HEROES IN THE STRUGGLE' GALA HONOURING DANNY GLOVER Los Angeles, 1 December 2002
I am delighted to send my warmest greetings to all those gathered to honour the Heroes in the Struggle -- men and women who have devoted themselves to the fight against HIV/AIDS. It gives me particular pleasure to pay tribute to Danny Glover, who has lent his talents and energy not only to the struggle in his own country, but also to the United Nations, helping us in our work among the world's poorest.
At home and abroad, Danny Glover brings to these efforts an appreciation of the value and power of community. In the struggle against AIDS, the sense of community can be as important as medical intervention. Community can be the antidote to the silence and fear of stigma that form barriers to prevention and to treatment. Together, the members of a community can educate one another and protect the young against infection, and help those infected with HIV seek treatment and live with dignity.
Danny has worked tirelessly to encourage this positive sense of community. He has been an eloquent advocate for communities in the United States and in Africa as they struggle to overcome the obstacles to a better life. His voice has helped others find theirs in the fight against AIDS. On this World AIDS Day, let us take heart from Danny Glover and other Heroes in the Struggle who are helping us replace stigma with support, fear with hope, and silence with solidarity.
Kofi K. Annan
-til DEC - 3 2002 EQSG/CENTRAL UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES
EXCUTIVE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL CABINET DU SECRETAIRE GENERAL
OUTGOING FACSIMILE
DATE: 29 November 2002
TO: Ms. Dorothy Davis FROM: Ruxandra Ferascu c.o. Phill Wilson TEL NO: TEL NO: 2129634092 FAX NO: 2126610416 FAX NO: 212 963 5965 SUBJECT: Message Honouring Danny Glover TOTAL NUMBER OF TRANSMITTED PAGES INCLUDING THIS PAGE 2
Dear Ms. Kantrow,
Further to your request to the Secretary-General, I have pleasure in sending you the Secretary-General's Message to "The Heroes in the Struggle" Gala Honouring Danny Glover, along with our best wishes for a successful event.
Yours sincerely, 1 \.
PO BOX360 • NEWYORK, NY 10044 —___»__ TELEPHONE/FAX 212-980-62JO • E-MAIL: [email protected] | . . ... FXECUTjVfc OFFICE,
/CVso ~ November 14, 2002
DOROTHY DAVIS - C ' ' '' INTEP.NXTIONXL PRUDENT PUBLIC AFFAIRS, SPECIAL EVENTS 8k CELEBMTY ADVOCACY Dear Mr. Secretary-General and Mrs. Annan,
I am writing to you in my capacity as a Board member of the African-American AIDS Policy and Training Lnstitute (AAAPTI) and as a supgorterKof_y_ou£S_andJDanny Glover (who is also a member of AAAPTI's Board). For a long time, we have worked together on many issues including HIV/AIDS. For this reason, I am requesting your assistance in highlighting the work of UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Danny Glover in the area of HIV/AIDS as AAAPTI honors him at its Heroes in the Struggle* Gala reception being held on World AIDS Day at Parampunt_Studios in Los Angeles. We are hoping that actress Halle Berry will present the award to him. If she accepts, we are hoping to highlight the impact of this disease on women through her comments.
As you know, Danny Glover revitalized his role as..WIpP.G.oodwilLAjtnJbassadfiL in February 2000 at the request of Mark Malloch Brpwn_in_Qr.der.to focus on the issue of Hry/AJ_DS_and to connect the commonality between its impact in Africa with its impact in underserved communities in the U.S. (His brother has been affected by it.) He started with the Town Hall meeting co-sponsored by African Amicale and UNDP entitled "A Call to Action: African Perspectives on HIV/AIDS Epidemic as a Security Threat, Development Crisis and Humanitarian Emergency". (The Secretary-General made comments at that meeting.) This is when MAC AIDS contributed $500,000 to a communications campaign that evolved into the Working Group on HIV/AIDS that first met in March 2000 and spearheaded a number of activities by its members in an effort to break the silence worldwide but particularly in Africa. (Mrs. Annan attended and participated in that meeting.)
Subsequently, UNDP hosted a reception for Miriam Makeba to highlight her work in the fight against AIDS and to enlist the support of others through the Kora All Africa Music Awards held in South Africa and the One Billion Against AIDS Benefit Concert held there as well. Danny Glover, Dikembe Mutombo and Nadine Gordimer then represented UNDP at the Durban Conference on HIV/AIDS held in July 2000 where Danny met and befriended Nkosi Johnson. He contributed the critical amount of money to Nkosi's Haven in Johannesburg that enabled them to keep their doors open. The house
H.E. and Mrs. Kofi Annan Secretary General of the United Nations United Nations New York, New York 10017
BUILDING. 8PJDCES BETWEEN PEOPLE, CULTUWS, AND INTERESTS in which it is located was on the verge of foreclosure. He has since adopted the cause of AIDS orphans and the mission of Nkosi Johnson as his own.
During the Millennium Summit, Mrs. Annan was kind to invite him to speak on the issue of HIV/AIDS and girls education at a luncheon in honor of the Spouses and Significant Others of the Heads of State attending that Summit. He was really honored that she asked him to do so and enjoyed the opportunity.
That Fall, he served as the Master of Ceremonies for UNDP's Race Against Poverty Awards Ceremony that focused on Breaking the Silence on HIV/AIDS held in the General Assembly Hall. As is your tradition, both of you attended and participated in this event. (In fact, Phill Wilson, the Executive Director of the African American AIDS Policy and Training Institute, was honored at that event as well.) An outgrowth of that ceremony was that the awardee from the Fiji Islands represented people living with HIV/AIDS at the closing ceremony of the AIDS conference held in Barcelona this past July. (We are trying to get a copy of that video footage to include in the montage we are developing to show at this event.)
For your information, Showtime will be shooting a segment on HIV/AIDS in Trinidad next week with Danny in collaboration with UN Works that will air worldwide early next year. They have asked me to work with them on that effort. We are hoping that they will also become a partner for the event in Los Angeles and use the opportunity to announce this upcoming segment.
AIDS is the leading cause of death for African Americans between the ages of 24 and 44. 55% of new AIDS cases in the U.S. are in the Black community. 63% of women with AIDS in the U.S. are African American women. 67% of all children with AIDS in the U.S. are Black. Over 30% of gay and bisexual men with AIDS are black. The African American AIDS Policy and Training Institute is the only Black HIV/AIDS think tank in the U.S. Its mission is to reduce the HIV/AIDS health disparities between African Americans and other racial ethnic groups by mobilizing black institutions and individuals in efforts to confront the AIDS pandemic in black communities.
Of course, you have both had a number of other good experiences with Danny during his sojourn as UNDP Goodwill Ambassador. Would it be possible for you to do a joint video message thanking and highlighting the impact of Danny's work worldwide on the issue of HIV/AIDS or send a letter that can be read on your behalf at the ceremony? If this is possible, I can work with your staff on its preparation. My cell number is 347- 837-7675. I wish you both well.
Sincerely,
Dorothy Davis
BUILDING BPJD«J BCTWEEN noPLE, CULTURES &. INteKEfTS * Heroes in the Struggle is also a photographic tribute to 20 African Americans who have made outstanding contributions to the fight against HIV/AIDS. The honorees reflect the diverse commitment by African Americans in the fight against HIV/AIDS. They are celebrities, athletes, politicians, doctors, people living with HIV/AIDS and community advocates. A portrait of Danny Glover will be unveiled and officially included in this exhibit during the World AIDS Day ceremony.
8UILDINC BRJDCtt BETWEEN PEOPLE, CULTUPJEJ & INTEWSTS Our People Our Problem Our Solution
1833 W. Eighth St. #200 Los Angeles, CA 90057-4257 213-353-3610 fax 213-989-0181 [email protected]
HEROES IN THE STRUGGLE FACT SHEET
On World AIDS Day, December 1, 2001 to commemorate the twentieth Anniversary of the first reported cases by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of what we now know as AIDS, launched the Heroes in the Struggle exhibit—a photographic tribute to 20 African Americans who have made outstanding contributions to the fight against HIV/AIDS. The honorees reflect the diverse commitment by African Americans in the fight against HIV/AIDS. They are celebrities, athletes, politicians, doctors, people living with HIV/AIDS and community advocates. AAAPTI commissioned five of the African American community's most celebrated photographers to shoot the exhibit: Kwaku Alston, Duane Cramer, Darien Davis, Greg McNeal and Matthew Jordan Smith. These artists have profiled many of today's most acclaimed black personalities for industry leading magazines ranging from GQ to Essence. Heroes in the Struggle for 2002 are: • Danny Glover, Acclaimed Actor and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador • Ronald Johnson, Deputy Director of Gay Men's Health Crisis • Rev. Cecil Murray, Pastor, First AME Church in Los Angeles • Dr. David Satcher, Former U.S. Surgeon General • Russell Simmons, Founder and CEO, Rush Communications • Jacquie Stephens, Commentator, KJLH Radio • Congresswomen Diane Watson, Member United States Congress • Jewel Thais-Williams, Owner, the Catch One Disco • Black Entertainment Television, special corporate recognition The portraits of the 2002 heroes will be honored and their portraits unveiled at a gala reception, attended by leaders, celebrities, elected officials and the community in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 1, 2002. To date over 155,000 Black lives have been lost to HIV AIDS. Heroes in the Struggle sends a message to our communities that HIV/AIDS is a Black issue. In the last year, the exhibit has traveled to Black museums, historically Black colleges and universities, and other similar venues around the country, where it raises awareness, challenges individuals to get involved in their communities, and generates critical conversation about HIV testing and treatment. Magazines with large Black readerships like Essence, Vibe, Savoy, Jet and Healthquest, have joined in by using parts of the exhibit as cover or feature stories. By telling the stories of Black people who have been involved in efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, the Heroes in the Struggle exhibit accomplishes the following goals: 1. Communicates that message that HIV/AIDS is an issue in Black communities, 2. Shows that Black people have contributed to efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, and thereby help reduce the stigma associated with the disease; 3. Challenges other African American institutions and individuals to get involved; 4. Generates discussions in Black communities about HIV testing and treatment; and 5. Provides critical support for HIV prevention efforts No matter how we divide it up—locally, nationally or globally—this epidemic is disproportionately devastating people of African descent. While the mainstream media gushes about decreasing AIDS death rates and slowing rates of HIV infection, trends for the African American community are moving in the opposite direction. 54% of new HIV infections in the U.S. are African American. 64% of new infections among teens (13-19) are Black. 64% of new infections among American women are black mothers, sisters and daughters. And, among men in the U.S., over 50% of new infections are black men. A recent study released by CDC revealed that among young Black men already infected with HIV 95% did not know they were infected or think they were at risk. The solutions to ending this plague will be found within our own communities. To discover them, we must arm everyone with information, and empower them with the will to use it. Heroes in the Struggle is an attempt to take us one more step in that direction.
SPONSOR: AFRICAN AMERICAN AIDS POLICY AND TRAINING INSTITUTE PHOTOGRAPHERS: KWAKU ALSTON DUANE CRAMER DARIEN DAVIS GREG MCNEAL MATTHEW JORDAN SMITH 2001 HONOREES: • Paris Barclay, Debra Fraser-Howze, • Archbishop Carl Bean, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.,, Jr., • George Bellinger, Jr., Bill T. Jones, Dr. Wilbert Jordan, • Mary J. Blige, Sandra S. McDonald, • Hydeia Broadbent, Dr. Beny Primm, • Mayor Willie Brown, Jr, Sheryl Lee Ralph, • Dr. Helene Gayle, Pernessa Seele,, • Whoopi Goldberg, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, • Dr. Eric Goosby, Fredette D. West, Secretary-General Kofi Annan in and Chairman of the Joint Cosponsoring December 1999 is the United Nations' Organizations of UNAIDS, UNDP's The spread of HIV is increasingly answer to this question. By intensifying Communications Office decided understood as a challenge to develop- its efforts and welcoming non-UN to create the Working Group on ment, including peace and security. entities and individuals in defining . HIV/AIDS in Africa out of funds Hard won development gains are being their roles and objectives through provided by the MAC. Fund. The eroded. There is ample evidence now of UNAIDS, it is able to take ajmrlti- Working Group will support the ' the negative impact of HIV/AI-DS on pronged approach that will: overall priorities and principles, of the . life expectancy, loss of skilled labor, cost . IPAA by developing a global advocacy . @ Curtail the spread of HIV to business, decimation of education 'campaign to raise: systems, reduction of capacities to ® Sharply reduce its impact on achieve food security, increasing human suffering and (^ awareness and . numbers of women and young girls @ Halt the further reversal of @ resources, for the compelling and infected, rise in the numbers of children human, social and e'conornic escalating needs generated by the . without parents, loss of social capital development in Africa. HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. and social cohesion and efforts to Speaking on behalf of the African The first brainstorming session of • reduce poverty- governments present at the December the Working Group on HIV/AIDS'in Nearly 70% of the world's infection meeting of IPAA, Professor Yahia . Africa was held on Monday, 27 March by HIV/AIDS, and 90% of deaths from Guidoum, Minister of Health and 2000, at UNDP headquarters in New HIV/AIDS are to be found in a region Population of Algeria, reminded .the York City. Mrs. Nane Annan and — sub-Saharan Africa — that is home gathering that not only did AIDS UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors Nadine to just 10% of the world's population. affect development in Africa, but that Gdrdimer and Danny Glover joined A region where access to care and sup- the lack of economic development, Djibril'Diallo,-Director of UNDP's port is lowest and access to basic social poverty,- economic inequality .and.the Communications Office in the Office sendees is grossly inadequate. debt burden create a fertile terrain for of the Administrator (COA), in con- . As a result of efforts to create thespreadofthedisea.se. vening the meeting. Over 30 people global awareness of the situation in At the same time, Professor representing the following areas of • sub-Saharan Africa, Including more in-- Guidoum said that "In many countries expertise and experience participated in depth media coverage, many individuals in Africa, the action of governments is the session: advocacy, media, artists,' and organizations worldwide want to not yet equal to the challenge..." He sports, private sector and public rela- ' become more involved in the response . urged those present to-have a double tions. In addition-, UNAIDS, UNFPA to the epidemic. How can they join. . response: one for prevention'and care and UNICEF .were invited as advisors. this growing movement and truly make and the second "a relevant, effective Dr. James Carmichael, Liaison Office - a difference in the lives of Africans and lasting response in the realm, of New York Representative of UNAIDS,' who: are currently living with HIV economic and social development." gave a detailed presentation on the and AIDS; still have a chance to avoid He went on to say that in the absence status of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in infection; have lost parents, aunts and of a vaccine or a cure "prevention Africa at present. He-basically stated uncles, grandparents are left without through information, education that: . . '• support? • . ' and communication was the only Under the umbrella of UNAIDS, @ Africa suffers disproportionately • effective weapon." . ' ., the International Partnership Against from poverty, conflict, social Under the leadership of Mark . • AIDS in Africa (IPAA) launched bv . dislocation, food insecurity; Malloch Brown, UNDP Administrator These four categories both fuel, Miriam Makeba,* Singer, Human Rights Ginia Pati, Communications Officer and are fueled by an HIV/AIDS Activist Special Events £jf Goodwill Ambassadors ' epidemic that is equally Mark Malloch Brown, Administrator, Branch,'COAAJNDP disproportionate; UNDP; Honorary Co-Chaw UNDP Poverty Maria C. Pasamba, 'Senior Communications Of the eleven million orphans Eradication Cpmmittee;Chair, UNAIDSJoint Assistant, Special Events £sf Goodwill created by the epidemic, 90 per Committee oj Co-Sponsoring Organizations Ambassadors Branch, COAAJNDP . - cent are in Africa; . Kati Marton, President, Committee to Protect Annaliza del Rosario, Communications Some 24.5 million Africans south Journalists Assistant, Special Events & Goodwill of the Sahara are estimated to have Thomas Morgan,* farmer President of Ambassadors Branch, COAAJNDP the HIV infection or AIDS:. National Association of Black Journalists; Lucy Ocampo, Assistant to the Director, almost 70% of the world's total in a Secretary, Board of Directors Gay Aden's Health COAAJNDP region that is home to just 10% of Crisis . 'ShamsuzZaman, Photographer, COAAJNDP the world's population. Dikembe Mutombo,* Atlanta Hawks Jose Morales, Distribution Clerk, COA/LFNDP Basketball Team; UNDP Youth Emissary INTERPRETERS for Sports M Fran9oise Gerber, Communications Youssou N'Dour, Musician Associate, COA/UNDP PARTICIPANTS Edward L. Palmer,* Executive Director, . Mamadou Bah, Media Relations Associate, Ernest Adjovi,* Executive Producer The People Programme; Member, Board of •COAAJNDP ' • Kara All'Africa Music Awards Trustees, The Village Foundation MarcTulin, Media Relations Associate, Nane Annan,*.Honorary Co-Chair Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director, UNAIDS COAAJNDP'. UNDP Poverty Eradication Committee Ruth Sarfaty,* Partner, Dan Klores Merv Aubespin,* Associate Editor/ Associates, Inc. Development, The Courier Journal Kim Sevcik,* Editor, Marie Claire Magazine MaryJ. Blige, Singer Faye Wattleton, President,. Center for Gender Matilda Cuomo,* Founder &f Chairperson, 'Equality . • Mentoring USA John Demsey, President, MAC Global OBSERVERS Bill Bachle,* Chairman, Solutions h\> Design Communication Susan Johnson,* Executive Director, The Working Group enthusiastically' Djibril Diallo,* Director, Communica- accepted the Secretary-General's Dikembe Mutombo Foundation tions Office, UNDP;Executive Coordinator, challenge and Mark Malloch Brown's Roberto Meglioli,* City Medal Working Group on HIV/AIDS in Africa initiative. Creative ideas abounded .as • Belvie Rooks,* Carrie Productions Manu Dibango, Musician exchanges of experience and, perspectives Andrew Shih,* Media Consultant, . Thuli Diimakude,* Actress, "The Lion King"' were made. Fenton Communication for UNAIDS Michelle Feeney,* Vice-President, It was decided that the most MAC Global Communication ADVISORS effective way they could individually Helen Putter, President, American Museum Mina Mauerstein-Bail,* Manager, HIV and and collectively pool their, energies of Natural History Development Programme, UNDP and networks in support of the • • - H.E. Hage G. Geingob, Prime Minister,. James Carrnichael,* Liaison Office New Secretary-General's initiative to Republic of Namibia • York Representative, UNAIDS • -intensify action against AIDS in Danny Glover,* Actor and Human Rights Dr. Akinyele Daifo,* Programme Officer Africa -is by: Activist; UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, Africa Division, UNFPA ' @ Creating an. enabling environ-ment Honorary Co-Chair UNDP Poverty . Abdouh'e]ansifh,*.Officer-in-Charge. to break the silence concerning the Eradication Committee UNDP Africa. '• . topic of HIV/AIDS in Africa; Nadine Gordimer,* Nobel Laureate for Dr. Eric Mercier, Senior Adviser • . @ Generating resources from multi- Literature (1991); UNDP Good-will' ' HIV/AIDS, Health Section, Programme sectoral sources-to support a Ambassador .'Division, UNICEF communications campaign and Biancajagger, Activist 'attended 21 March meeting at UNDP. Rory Kennedy, Producer, Moxie Firecracker existing or new programmes created Mamadou Konte,* Producer, Africa Fete SECRETARIAT under the national plans of action; Dr. Mathilde Krim,* Chairman, American Hyacinth. Morgan, Chief, Special Events £jf @ Building strategic partnerships to Foundation for AIDS Research (AMFAR) Goodwill Ambassadors Branch; COAAJNDP. ' broaden the effort worldwide: Dorothy Davis, Special Events Officer •Baaba Maal,* Musician, UNDP Youth In doing so, they recognize the Special Events &f Goodwill Ambassadors Emissary for the Performing Arts importance of: Branch, COAAJNDP - ^ Coordinating their work with ^ Developing an awareness campaign. Courage to Care, You Can Make that of others'already involved in Africa through public service a Difference, People Are Making in advocacy to maximize the announcements produced by, with, a Difference. . impact and .coverage; and for Africans; • |l Highlight best practices in order $ Targeting campaigns an specific ^ Simultaneously developing an to share 'good ideas and encourage issues and link these up with those • • international awareness campaign financial support .of specific grass- who are tackling these issues on the to support the, onground efforts roots programmes as identified by ground, ie. the. IJNA1DS secretariat, of co-sponsoring agencies, non- .the'National Plan of Action. co-sponsors, and many bilateral and governmental organizations, the . y Be life affirming and hopeful . . non-governmental organizations; private sector under the guidance . with the message, i.e. Living ^ Having an organizational of the national plans of action; positively HIV and AIDS. structure to support and guide • | Creating special events in Africa all activities. and in the OECB countries that'will generate awarene'ss and Many members of the Working Group (hurnan'and financial) resources ta on HIV/AIDS in Africa provided support current and future efforts. The common themes generated from a variety of suggested activities that ' ' the discussion were to: • they would like to engage in. Each individual will identify one or two © Simultaneously target global, IffifflQB specific activities that they can do on Given the fact that the disease attacks, national 'and local levels; their, own or with another member of the young disproportionately, the Work- © -Specifically tailor the message to the Group or someone from their ing Group decided to focus its efforts meet the requirements of each of '. sphere of influence. The Comtnunica- on two of the Secretary-General Kofi '-.those audiences; • tipris Office will monitor these activities Annan's goals as identified in his . (§) Be sensitive to the positive as well on an ongoing basis to ensure that they ' Millenium Message: • as negative aspects of local cultural remain within the guidelines of the influences, ie. traditional healers @ The reduction of HIV infection International Partnership Against AIDS. • and religious leaders rates in persons 15 to 24 years of @ Heavily involve people living •• age by 25% within the most with HIV/AIDS, elders, youth, affected countries before the year There are' a number of activities religious groups and celebrities • 2005 and; planned over the next few months as messengers;