Feature Articles

On 19 November 2016, the Association and the Red Ribbon Centre (RRC) of the Department of Health kicked off the “On the Fast Track to End AIDS” World AIDS Campaign 2016.

The Ceremony was attended by guests from China, Macau and local dignitaries including the Under Secretary for Food and Health, Director of Health, Chairpersons of the Hong Kong Advisory Council on AIDS, the Council of AIDS Trust Fund and the Management Advisory Committee of Red Ribbon Centre. Rap duo FAMA was the masters of ceremony, introducing a host of lively and captivating programmes. The street dance group from a secondary school performed with energy and rhythm. The award-winning rope skipping team Skipper’Z awed the audience with their fast and skillful moves. Pop group C AllStar sang their original songs to enthusiastic clapping and cheers from their youth fans. A pair of cute and colourful condom mascots attracted passersby’s attention, and free souvenir sticky note pads in a playful condom design were distributed. The key message of safer sex in preventing HIV/AIDS was disseminated throughout the Campaign.

During the 2016/17 school year, the Association conducted a Life-Skills Based Education (LSBE) Programme for 13 secondary schools. Workshops were held for students to develop life skills in decision-making, critical thinking, self-understanding and management, communication and interpersonal relations, etc., in relation to sexual health and HIV/AIDS prevention. An estimated 1,500 students would benefit from this programme.

Three animated videos were developed as teaching tools for the LSBE Programme. The videos depicted the scenarios “STI scare”, “Condom in girlfriend’s handbag” and “How to tell my boyfriend I’m pregnant?” to stimulate youth to ponder on the importance of cultivating critical thinking, self-awareness and management, negotiation in relationship building to make choices and manage conflicts in daily life. The videos can be viewed on the FPAHK Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/FPAHK.Education). Youth and the public are welcomed to “like” or “share” the videos.