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About 200 young people participating in the 'AIDS I Care Party' on the World AIDS Day today (Wednesday) learned more about AIDS through interactive games and exchange of views.

The Party was organised by the Hong Kong Advisory Council on AIDS, Red Ribbon Centre-UNAIDS Collaborating Centre for Technical Support and CABLE TV to tie in with this year's World AIDS Campaign theme - Listen, Learn, Live! World AIDS Campaign with Children and Young People.

Speaking at the Party at Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel, Executive Council member, the Hon Rosanna Wong Yik-ming, shared her experience on ways to put across sex education and AIDS prevention messages to young people. She also appealed to all, especially the young, to help disseminate positive messages on AIDS and accept HIV-infected/AIDS patients.

As part of the World AIDS Campaign this year, a Japanese drama series that puts across positive AIDS messages like safe sex and acceptance of HIV-infected/AIDS patients was broadcast on CABLE Cineplex in November this year. CABLE TV received overwhelming responses and viewers of the drama were also invited to take part in the Party to exchange views on the drama.

Participants were asked to write their wishes or thoughts on HIV/AIDS on a card. They also played games centering on HIV/AIDS issues and the drama.

Popular artiste Miss Miriam Yeung, Hong Kong UNAIDS Ambassador, was presented a trophy by Ms Wong for her participation. Miss Yeung urged participants not to discriminate against HIV-infected/AIDS patients. The Party will be edited into a 10-minute segment for broadcast on CABLE TV's YMC Channel between 4.30 pm and 6.30 pm on December 7.

Other guests attending the Party included Dr Homer Tso, Chairman of the Hong Kong Advisory Council on AIDS; Dr T. A. Saw, Acting Director of Health; Rev Chu Yiu-ming, Chairman of Red Ribbon Centre Management Advisory Committee; Dr N. K. Leung, Chairman of the Council for the AIDS Trust Fund; Mrs Diana Wong Ip Wai-ying, Chairman of AIDS Prevention and Care Committee; Mr William Tsui, Assistant Secretary for Health and Welfare; and Mr Peter Tsi, Controller of Channel Operations-Movies, CABLE TV.

For more information on AIDS, please call the AIDS Hotline 2780 2211 or Dr Sex Hotline 2337 2121 or visit the website, http://www.info.gov.hk/aids

End/Wednesday, December 1, 1999

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