Positive Lives

Positive Lives is a unique international project that photographs and documents the impact of HIV & AIDS around the world, illuminating positive human responses to this world crisis.

The exhibition reflects the issues and emotions which confront people in their daily lives as they live and work with the disease. Issues of confidentiality, fear, prejudice, exclusion and survival, through to care, support, compassion, trust and openness are all explored. The texts accompanying the photographs are all based on the personal stories of individuals.

By sharing these moving stories the Positive Lives project aims to challenge stigma and discrimination, and disrupt the myths and prejudices that surround HIV & AIDS.

Positive Lives is collaboration between a number of organisations, including Concern Worldwide and UK HIV charity, Terrence Higgins Trust. Concern has been at the forefront of community responses to HIV & AIDS and the fight for access to treatment since 1987. Concern now supports over 25 HIV & AIDS projects in fifteen countries around the world, working in close partnership with local organisations.

Concern commissioned new photographic work in Rwanda in November 2005, where it is working with the Rwandan Ministry of Health to implement a government sponsored initiative for voluntary counselling and testing. Some of the images from Rwanda can be seen in this exhibition.

Join Concern Worldwide for a workshop on HIV&AIDS and Stigma

Ground Floor Gallery, Brunei Gallery, SOAS
Tuesday 20th March, 5 - 7pm

• Breda Gahan, Global HIV&AIDS Advisor, Concern Worldwide
• Amanda Stone, Director, Positive Lives
• Winnie Ssanya Semura, HIV Mainstreaming Co-ordinator for Christian Aid

Discuss how stigma and discrimination are driving the HIV&AIDS epidemic in developing countries.

Stuart Freedman/Concern Worldwide/Positive Lives

Guided tour of the Positive Lives exhibition from 5pm

Panel presentations from 5.30pm followed by audience discussion

More information about Concern and their work can be found at: concern.net