Supporting partners include the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).Following the UN General Assembly declaration that strong leadership at all levels of society is essential for an effective response to the epidemic, the “Leadership in Action” initiative seeks to advance leaders across all sectors and levels of society in Russia - to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic with a positive social epidemic of activism. With special influence on youth, who represent the vast majority of people living with HIV/AIDS in Russia, Leaders in Arts and Media play a critical role. In the words of Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS, the arts and media community have the potential to ‘save even more lives than doctors.’The epidemic has already taken hold in the country: over the last five years, Russia has experienced one of the most explosive rates of HIV spread in the world. There are already some 300,000 people living with HIV registered by the health authorities, with UNAIDS estimating some 860,000 total Russians living with HIV. In addition to the dramatic human cost, several studies have demonstrated that the AIDS epidemic could begin in the near future to take a heavy toll even on economic growth and human development in Russia. However, international experience over the past 20 years brings a message of hope: that leadership across society, individuals putting their commitment in action, can reverse the epidemic. This joint “We Will Rock You” and UN event represents a unique example of action.The event will be opened by the UN Resident Coordinator in the Russian Federation Mr Stefan Vassilev and the Director of the musical Mr Dmitri Astrakhan. In addition to the general public, representatives of the Russian government, NGOs, arts and media, religious organizations and people living with HIV/AIDS will attend the show. All proceeds will go to support the fight against HIV/AIDs.The event will take place at on 14 December 2004 at 19:00 at the Moscow Teatre Estrady. Tickets can be purchased through Kontramarka agency (tel 933 32 00) or in city box offices at discounted prices.For further information please contact the UNDP Communications Officer, Ms Victoria Zotikova at 7(095) 787 21 15