Voice of Gratitude: Participation in the World AIDS Day Commemoration
On 1 December, staff of PO “ALLIANCE.GLOBAL” and the Paralegal Hub joined the “Thank You for Life” action, traditionally held in Kyiv to mark World AIDS Day. This year’s gathering brought together representatives of government institutions, civil society organizations, international partners, and activists near the Red Ribbon Memorial on Lavrska Street — a symbolic place of remembrance, gratitude, and solidarity with people living with HIV.
From 9:30 a.m., participants and partner organizations assembled at the memorial, and at 10:00 a briefing began with representatives of UNAIDS, the Public Health Center, the Olena Pinchuk Foundation, the Alliance for Public Health, and other national and international stakeholders. Staff of PO “ALLIANCE.GLOBAL” and the Paralegal Hub stood among the participants and supported a joint call to safeguard essential HIV response programmes in Ukraine.
The context of this year is particularly significant. HIV-related programmes have faced heightened risks due to the full-scale war, global political instability, and reductions in international funding. That is why the participation of civil society organizations, partners, and specialists in such public events serves not only as a gesture of solidarity, but also as a reminder of the system’s vulnerability and the shared responsibility to protect it. The “ALLIANCE.GLOBAL” team consistently emphasizes the importance of maintaining access to legal, social, and psychological support for key populations who face heightened rights violations due to war and economic hardship.
We also joined the #ThankYouForLife social media flashmob to amplify a wave of gratitude to everyone contributing to the HIV response: military personnel, healthcare workers, volunteers, international partners, social workers, friends, and all those who stand beside us every day. This symbolic gesture unites diverse communities and underscores that overcoming the HIV epidemic is the result of collective effort.
For us, participation in this event is an opportunity to publicly reaffirm that every life matters, and that gratitude and support have the power to strengthen communities, inspire action, and build resilience even in the most challenging times. We express our sincere thanks to everyone working to save lives and continue our efforts alongside those who need support the most.