The Red Ribbon Award differs from other efforts in that it honors not individuals, but community organizations whose actions have made an exceptional contribution in addressing HIV and AIDS. "Communities are at the forefront of addressing the core challenges of HIV," declared Dr Peter Piot, Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) at a launch press conference in Mexico City on World AIDS Day. "Honoring their work and encouraging the replication of community initiatives is essential for a successful global response."

UNDP's Administrator, Kemal Dervis, recognized the pivotal role of community

organizations in the response to the AIDS epidemic and said: "For over 20 years, communities have been the hardest hit by AIDS, yet they have shown extraordinary courage and resilience, and their leadership has been central to addressing the challenges posed by the epidemic."

Nominations for outstanding leadership will be accepted in the five following areas:
• Providing access to care, treatment and support for people living with HIV
• Promoting human rights and addressing social injustices such as homophobia, sexism and any other form of stigma and discrimination
• Empowering women and girls and addressing gender inequalities that fuel the spread of HIV
• Providing support to children orphaned by AIDS and other vulnerable children
• Promoting HIV prevention programs and services

Nomination information and criteria can be found at www.redribbonaward.org We encourage you to participate in the nomination process by nominating deserving groups or encouraging them to apply. In some cases, you may offer assistance in navigating the process for those organizations who might not apply otherwise Twenty-five community organizations will receive US$ 5,000 each while five will receive special recognition and an additional US$ 15,000. All twenty-five winners will have the opportunity to showcase their work at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City.

Revati Chawla