The initial World AIDS Day in 1988 marked the first ever global health day. The tradition continues, and this World AIDS Day, there are several elements of HIV community work that are being highlighted.
The UNAIDS theme of this year’s World AIDS Day is Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response. PAN and allies have been working on this, advocating for Canada’s recommitment to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria. The world HIV/AIDS community is also advocating for the continuance of UNAIDS, which may be sunset in 2026.
Here are some additional elements of activism and resources:
Voices of the First Peoples: Indigenous AIDS Awareness Day/ Week 2025
December 1–7, 2025, marks Indigenous AIDS Awareness Day/Week (IAAD/W), beginning on World AIDS Day. This week is a time to honour the leadership, resilience, and lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. Led by CAAN Communities, Alliances & Networks, IAAD/W brings together Ancestral Science—knowledge rooted in land, water, ceremony, and interconnection—with contemporary health responses to foster healing, wellness, and equity.
World AIDS Day – Living Legacy
Join Health Initiative for Men to commemorate World AIDS Day. Enjoy tunes with DJ Altair, hear lived experience stories from local folks living with HIV and connect with community members. Light refreshments will be served. December 1 in Kelowna.
2025 Recognition Walk our Journey
Host: Tsawout Survivors Join in December 1 to honour survivors and walk to a brighter future. Starts at 11 AM. Click here for poster and contact Karen for more information: 250-480-9351
CANFAR’s 2025 World AIDS Day theme and Digital Toolkit
CANFAR is addressing 2025 World AIDS Day with their campaign: Do you see me? CANFAR is sharing advocacy tools via their English and French toolkits. Included in each toolkit is a variety of assets to support your digital engagement efforts! Contact Niko Coady for more information.
International AIDS Society (IAS) theme: Rethink. Rebuild. Rise
The IAS has chosen the same theme for World AIDS Day 2025 and AIDS 2026 to build momentum and a shared global narrative. By uniting behind a single call – to rethink, rebuild and rise – the HIV response can speak with one voice across communities, countries and conferences. Join the global movement by sharing your story, message, photo or video using the hashtag, #RethinkRebuildRise. Access the social media toolkit for resources.
STILL WITH US: A Legacy of HIV/AIDS in the Arts
The Victoria Arts Council, in association with AVI Health & Community Services, is pleased to announce its presentation of STILL WITH US: A Legacy of HIV/AIDS in the Arts. This cross-disciplinary project is anchored by an exhibition in downtown Victoria running from 24 October through 1 December 2025. Featuring archival materials, films, and visual art, the exhibit tells a multi-faceted story of loss, advocacy, and hope emanating from the first waves of the AIDS epidemic (1980s through 1990s) and Victoria’s remarkable response.
We’d like to help support connections, resources, and awareness happening in communities across British Columbia.
Is YOUR organization highlighting World AIDS Day or Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week in some way? We’d love to know about it: it’s important thing to share that HIV/AIDS is still an issue and people living with HIV need support. Send info to [email protected] to have your community added to this page.