December 1st is an International AIDS Day  

This date has been celebrated since December 1st, 1998, after the international meeting of Public Health Ministers was held, at which there was an appeal to have a social tolerance and extend information exchange on HIV/AIDS. The announced motto of the December 1st events is «Know. Support. Join».
Irkutsk Oblast branch of the Russian Red Cross is preparing its program for December 1, 2011. So that there are “Information tents”, contents, and presentations planned to be held from 1 p.m. till 3 p.m. in two universities of Irkutsk – Scientific Research Irkutsk State Technical University and Irkutsk Agricultural Academy. Red Cross specialists and volunteers are planned to speak about the history of the date, answer questions, and counsel on HIV prevention issues.
Moreover, one more event - “Positive Hand Shake” - is planned to be conducted on Uritskogo St., where Red Cross volunteers will talk to passers-by and distribute IEC materials. Besides, there will be a counseling site in the Red Cross vehicle, in which anyone can ask questions and get urgent and useful information from Red Cross specialists. The street event will take place from 1 p.m. till 3 p.m.