HOPE’S VOICE INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND GLOBALLY ACCLAIMED HIV EXPERT, TODD MURRAY, SPEAKS OUT IN COLLABORATION WITH NORWEGIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND UN AIDS GOODWILL AMBASSADOR HRH CROWN PRINCESS METTE-MARIT
Los Angeles, CA – June 18, 2009 – – Todd Murray, Executive Director of the internationally applauded Hope’s Voice International, a 501 (c) 3 NGO created to promote the education and prevention of HIV and AIDS to young adults, which also aims to empower HIV positive youth to be leaders in educating their communities to be catalysts for change around the globe, is proud to be named Chair of the Communications Committee for the aids2031 Young Leaders Summit in Oslo, Norway, June 23rd – 25th, 2009. Mr. Murray is respected worldwide for his visionary approach in working towards the eradication of the many stigma’s surrounding young people living with HIV by his Emmy Award Winning creation of the ‘Does HIV Look Like Me?’ campaign, which is deeply entrenched in schools around the globe including the US, Mexico, South Africa, Swaziland and is soon to launch in Brazil and Thailand.
Mr. Murray and Hope’s Voice International are honored to be hosted by the Royal Family and to work alongside HRH Crown Princess Mette – Marit. The opportunity to collaborate with other leaders widely respected for their work in the fight against the stigma’s surrounding HIV during the important aids2031 event delivers an important spotlight to the vital global work of Hope’s Voice International.
Mr. Murray will be featured in an interview alongside HRH Crown Princess Mette – Marit from the Royal Palace on the Norwegian Broadcasting Company/NRK1 airing on June 20th, and is a featured speaker at the following events: The Stenersen Museum on June 20th following the Oslo opening of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria’s Access to Life photography exhibit, at the aids2031 international press conference on June 22nd and will be appearing live at the aids2031 Norway press conference on June 23rd.
“I am deeply honored to be hosted by the Norwegian Royal Court and to have been asked to not only participate in the summit, but in recognition of the ‘Does HIV Look Like Me?’ campaign, they have asked Hope’s Voice to produce a special video for the aids2031 Young Leaders Summit to highlight the need for support and collaboration between leaders from around the globe” says Murray. “During the Young Leaders Summit, we will move from discussing the challenges of addressing stigma and discrimination toward offering young people tools to build sustainable youth leadership towards concrete solutions for these issues that face those living with HIV every day.”
Todd Murray is the Executive Director and co-founder of Hope’s Voice International. After being diagnosed with HIV at the age of 20, Mr. Murray decided to take an active role in the world of HIV and AIDS because of his own experiences of living with HIV and the challenges he faced to be and stay positive despite the societal stigma. Mr. Murray motivates young adults to get out and make a social change in their community and in the world. His valuable experience and involvement in the forefront of social change for young adults living with HIV and AIDS is inspiring and empowering to anyone facing the disease and the challenges one faces in living with it. He works with professionals and young adults alike and leaves his audiences with the lasting impression that one person truly does make a difference.
Todd Murray is speaking at select dates during his visit to Norway. Don’t miss his inspiring live talks:
NRK1 – Lørdagsrevyen News Magazine with HRH Crown Princess Mette – Marit: Airing Saturday, June 20th, 2009 from 7:00 – 7:45pm
Stenersen Museum: Opening Of The Global Fund To Fight AIDS, TB And Malaria’s Access To
Life Photography Exhibit – Saturday, June 20th, 2009
aids2031 International Press Conference – Monday, June 22nd, 2009
Norway Press Conference – Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009
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ABOUT HOPE’S VOICE INTERNATIONAL:
Hope’s Voice International is an HIV and AIDS organization committed to promoting the education and prevention of HIV and AIDS to young adults. Hope’s Voice International aims to empower HIV positive youth to be leaders in educating their communities and be catalysts for change around the globe. Hope’s Voice International uses open dialogue and peer-to-peer education, through both speaker appearances of young adults living with HIV and AIDS and the Does HIV Look Like Me? campaign to send this crucial message: HIV and AIDS does not discriminate. At Hope’s Voice International we aim to raise awareness and help young adults create the social change that is needed to end this epidemic and the stigma associated with it. For more information on Todd Murray, Hope’s Voice International and Does HIV Look Like Me?, please see: http://www.hopesvoice.org/ or http://www.doeshivlooklikeme.org/
ABOUT THE AIDS2031 YOUNG LEADERS SUMMIT:
aids2031, in collaboration with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marit, will hold a 2nd Young Leaders Summit in Oslo 23-25 June, 2009 to unite young leaders in the ongoing fight against AIDS related stigma and discrimination. For more info on aids2031, please see: http://www.aids2031.org/youngleaderssummit