The University of Ulster and Concern Worldwide today unveiled plans to bring a internationally-renowned exhibition of photography on the theme of HIV and AIDS to Northern Ireland in the New Year.
 
It will be the first time that the Positive Lives exhibition has been shown in Northern Ireland: the photographs in the exhibition will focus on the personal stories of those affected by HIV/Aids.
 
Featuring the work of distinguished international photographers, the Positive Lives exhibition documents the social and emotional impact of HIV/AIDS across the world, illuminating positive human responses to this global issue.
 
The exhibition, which will be open to the public at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown Campus from 25 January – 8 February 2006, forms part of an extensive programme of education and awareness-raising activities about HIV/AIDS across Northern Ireland.  It will be the largest photographic exhibition in Northern Ireland exclusively focusing on HIV/AIDS, according to the organisers.
 
Professor Bill Clarke, Provost of the University’s Jordanstown and Belfast campuses said: “The University of Ulster attaches enormous importance to its role in health education. This exhibition provides the University with an opportunity to extend that work in relation to HIV/AIDS”.
 
Mr Paul Fleming, a University of Ulster researcher in health promotion added: Recent research on HIV/AIDS shows that the problem is still prevalent worldwide and we need to maintain our efforts in addressing the issues through a wide range of education and prevention measures”.
 
Director of Concern Worldwide in Northern Ireland Karen Gallagher said: “Concern believes that HIV/AIDS has become the single most serious disease in the world and has far reaching social and economic effects. Through the Positive Lives exhibition Concern will be helping to shed light on the emotional and social impact of the disease. We will be looking at ways in which we can collectively contribute towards tackling poverty in developing countries which is one of the main drivers of the HIV epidemic”.

Further information: www.positivelives.org
                                                                                              

 

For further information, please contact:

David Young
Telephone: 028 90366074
Email: David Young