The first observance of this holiday was in 1988. It is dedicates to raising awareness of HIV and AIDS and it is recognized by holding memorials to honor people who have died from this infection. It is also common for government and health officials to give speeches or forums. To recognize today, Former-president and creator of William J. Clinton Foundation, Bill Clinton spoke in a panel discussion hosted by the foundation and the International Center for AIDS Care and Treatment, at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. A webcast of the discussion can be at: http://www.clintonfoundation.org/worldaidsday

In other news, The International AIDS Society announced Sunday, that Washington, DC is the site of the International AIDS conference in 2012. It will have been 22 years since the conference was last held in the United States. permittance of this conference is the result of President Obama’s announcement in October. He announced the United States will end its entry restrictions on people with HIV. This change in legislation will begin in January 2010. The International AIDS Society (IAS) is the premier independent association of HIV professionals and works diligently to find a cure, treatments, as well as, changes in policy regarding the epidemic. This convention is held each year in a different location with next years in Vienna, Austria, with the purpose of gathering all of the leading minds in the HIV field, including policy makers, people living with HIV and other concerned individuals.