On this day it is common to honour the people who have passed away from HIV/AIDS.
From its inception in 1988 till 2004, the event has followed a theme every year. The first ever theme was 'Communication', followed by 'Youth', 'Women and AIDS' etc. UNAIDS, the joint United Nations programme on HIV and AIDS used to head the World AIDS Day campaigns.
Now, each year's World AIDS Day theme is chosen by the World AIDS Campaign's Global Steering Committee. From 2005 to 2010, a central theme will be followed 'Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.' with a yearly sub-theme. This year's sub-theme is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'.
