Rapid Spread of HIV/AIDS Focus of Exhibition ‘The Neglected’
Date: 13.11.09
From 20th November – 7th December 2009, AIDS Foundation East-West (AFEW) is holding a photo exhibition entitled ‘The Neglected’ / Беспризорники’ at Cultural Centre De Warande in Turnhout, Belgium. The aim is to highlight the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and the plight of the people who are affected by it.
‘The Neglected’ / ‘Беспризорники’ is being held by AFEW in partnership with the photographer David Gillanders. The works on display illustrate the neglect of vulnerable young women, intravenous drug users, prisoners and street children in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) – the region with the fastest growing HIV/AIDS epidemic in the world.
At present, an estimated 1.5 million people are living with HIV/AIDS and more than 58,000 have already died of AIDS in the region. In 2007 alone, the region witnessed 110,000 new cases of HIV. While high rates of injecting drug use among young people are driving the epidemic, an increasing percentage of newly registered cases are due to unprotected heterosexual contact.
‘The Neglected’ / ‘Беспризорники is on show from 20th November - 7th December 2009, every day from 09.00 till 18.00 in Cultural Centre De Warande, Warandestraat 42, 2300, Turnhout, Belgium. More info on http://www.warande.be/index.php?id_act=4240&ps=tentoondetail
AIDS Foundation East-West (AFEW)
AIDS Foundation East-West (AFEW) is a Dutch, non-governmental, public health organisation that was founded in 2001 to address the spread of HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA). It has over 100 employees engaged in the development and implementation of programmes that improve prevention, treatment, care and support services. A particular focus is placed on providing specialised assistance to the region’s most vulnerable groups: young people, women and children, injecting drug users and prisoners.
David Gillanders
Since its foundation in 2001, AFEW has crossed paths many times with the prize-winning photographer David Gillanders. David is a full-time photojournalist who focuses his work on social and humanitarian issues around the world. His work is infused with a heartfelt compassion for the people he works with and a strong sense of purpose. David has won several prizes including the UNICEF Photo of the Year 2005 and he was invited to participate in the World Press Photo Joop Swart Master Class in Amsterdam.
Project Positive
The exhibition ‘The Neglected’ / ‘Беспризорники’ is part of a series of activities organised in the city of Turnhout that are dedicated to the theme week ‘Project Positive’. It is being held in cooperation with the Global Council, the Family and Health Council and gay, lesbian and bi-sexual organisations in Turnhout. The events are dedicated to the Day of the Child on 20th November and World AIDS Day on 1st December.