A number of awareness and fundraising campaigns have been planned as The University of Western Ontario prepares to commemorate World AIDS Day 2011 on Thursday, Dec. 1.
What started out as a class assignment designed by Faculty of Information and Media Studies professor Susan Knabe, quickly turned into a campaign fueled by passion. ‘Correct Your Vision’ is a public awareness campaign developed by a group of fourth-year Media, Information and Technoculture (MIT) students in an attempt to dispel the myths of HIV/AIDS that may exist among The University of Western Ontario population.
On World AIDS Day, the semester-long efforts of the students will be revealed. The campaign takes a spin on the familiar eye chart used by optometrists to test a patient’s vision; however, the traditional lettering has been replaced by facts contradicting common misconceptions of HIV/AIDS. The goal of the ‘eye-catching’ design is to grab the attention of on-lookers, not allowing anyone to turn a blind eye to the virus and ‘correct their vision,’ if only for one day.
The university community will find these designs on posters and cards to be distributed across campus, and on promotional videos played on various screens. Additionally, the MIT students are going to take over University Community Centre (UCC) from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
The one-day event is accompanied by a social media component, wherein information regarding HIV/AIDS can be easily accessed via Facebook and Twitter (@SeeingRed2011). Links to local and global HIV/AIDS organizations will be posted, as well as further information on Western’s service of anonymous HIV testing.
‘Correct Your Vision’ is the final assignment of Knabe’s fourth-year seminar, MIT 4036F HIV/AIDS: Representation and Activism.
Also this week, keep an eye out for Western Heads East booths in the UCC as well as rotating around residences and campus until Thursday to take part in AIDS Awareness Week. Each booth is interactive and all are is encouraged to participate to raise awareness of the global AIDS crisis and Western’s community response. Local HIV/AIDS issues will be represented.
The group will also be selling wristbands commemorating the event as part of its ‘Pay It Forward’ bracelet campaign. Proceeds will benefit the group’s projects aimed at making a difference in the lives of individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Africa.