The American College of Greece recognized World AIDS Day on December 1, 2005 by distributing red ribbons and AIDS information pamphlets to students.

The red ribbon is the international symbol of HIV and AIDS awareness. The global campaign to promote AIDS awareness is sponsored by the United Nations’ AIDS agency.

The ribbon is worn to represent support for those living with HIV and for those who have lost friends, family members or loved ones to AIDS.

The annual report of the UNAIDS agency said that this year there will be five million new infections and more than 3.1 million deaths.

“Wearing a red ribbon is the first step in making a commitment to the fight against AIDS,” read the campaign’s mission statement at UNAIDS.org.