| AIDS, tragically, is
a young people's disease. Each year half of those newly
infected are under the age of twenty-five. The so-called
46664 campaign is targeting young
people, using music, the internet, mobile phones, and the one international
figure who's a hero to all
ages, including the young. Nelson Mandela is
fronting the campaign and the funds it raises will be used
for the AIDS work of his Nelson Mandela Foundation.
"I was imprisoned on Robben Island, known as just a number.
Millions of people today, infected with AIDS, are just that -
a number. They too are serving a prison
sentence - for life."
His old prison number will be used for a website, and calling
it by mobile phone will let people all over the world
donate money, put their names to a
petition urging governments to do more to fight AIDS, and
let them listen to songs and greetings from their favourite stars.
The campaign proper will kick off with
a huge concert in Cape Town at the end of next month. The
organisers say Youssou Ndour, Angelique Kidjo, Ladysmith Black
Mambaza, Bono, Beyonce and Queen will all be among the performers,
and the event will be broadcast round the world to reach
- they hope - two billion young people.
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newly infected: people who have recently
become HIV positive
targeting: if you target a group
of people, you hope to communicate with them specifically
international figure: someone who
is well-known around the world
a hero: a man who is well respected
and admired because of his skills, actions and qualities
is fronting: if you front something,
you represent it and people link you to it
a prison sentence: the time that
a person must stay in prison as punishment
donate: give
a petition: a document that many
people put their names on to ask officials for something
kick off with: begin with
reach: to be seen or heard by
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