The University of Limerick recently hosted the Irish Aid Father Michael Kelly World AIDS Day event. Speakers included; AIDS activist, Father Michael Kelly, Marcus Horan, Munster Rugby Player, Minister of State for Trade and Development, Joe Costello, TD, Ann Mason, Red Ribbon Project, HIV/AIDS in Limerick, Dr Busi Mooka, Infectious Disease Consultant, Limerick Regional Hospital and Professor Tom Lodge, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, UL. Minister Costello set out the progress which has been made in tackling HIV and AIDS in the developing world, while Marcus Horan outlined how sport and community leadership can encourage young people to live a positive and healthy life.

Performance by Irish World Academy of Music and Dance Students led by Kathleen Turner at the World AIDS Day event.

Minister Costello said: “There has been great progress in fighting the AIDS epidemic around the world and Ireland has been a key partner in that success. There are now 8 million people on treatment in developing countries, an increase of almost 3 million in just two years.  For the first time in history, developing countries are investing more in addressing their own epidemics than international donors, which has proved very significant in addressing this devastating epidemic.

“However, we must not be complacent. There are now more people living with HIV - including in Ireland - than ever before. In Sub Saharan Africa, where our aid programme is focused, AIDS has orphaned 14 million children, while more than 1.2 million people died of AIDS last year.”

“Protecting young people is essential to fighting this epidemic and education, music and sports play a very important role in this. Community leadership, often channelled through schools and music and sports clubs, is critical in providing guidance and support to young people and encouraging them to lead healthy, positive lives.”

Professor Tom Lodge, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, said: “HIV and AIDS is not just an issue that concerns developing countries, though we can learn lessons from the way they have addressed it.  HIV and AIDS is a global pandemic and it can affect our lives in Ireland.  That will be a key theme in this evening’s event.  HIV and AIDS is about us and our own communities, here in Limerick.”

The Irish Aid Father Michael Kelly World AIDS Day event was hosted by Irish Aid in collaboration with the Irish Forum for Global Health and University of Limerick.