Le Méridien announces the 'Art is Life' programme

On the 19th of January, Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa in Malta embarked on a journey called "Check Out For Children", a joined initiative between Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and UNICEF.

'Art is Life' is the name of the Focus selected for Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts through the “Check-Out For Children” initiative. ‘Art is Life’ gives guests the opportunity to support UNICEF's HIV prevention programs in Africa through the addition of a $1 (or its local currency equivalent) donation upon checkout.

'Art is Life' supports projects that encourage young people to take the lead in raising awareness of HIV prevention and communicating life-saving skills to peers through the innovative use of children's media, drama, music and other creative activities. Preventing infection among young people is key to an effective response to the global AIDS epidemic, but only an estimated 40 percent of young people have accurate and comprehensive knowledge of HIV prevention.

Examples of activities supported by 'Art is Life' include:

• 'Child-to-child' media networks which actively involve children in the development, production and presentation of radio and TV programmes for children. Topics discussed during the programmes include HIV prevention.

• Multimedia mobile units that travel to rural communities to disseminate information on HIV prevention using film and drama and also offer HIV counseling.

• Community theatre groups which raise awareness of HIV prevention and promote positive attitudes and behavior through drama. Members of the audience are invited to participate in the play and to make suggestions on how to solve problems raised in the story.

There were nearly 2 million new cases of HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2007 alone.' said UNICEF UK spokesperson Joanne Andrews. 'A greater emphasis on HIV education for young people is essential if we are to reduce rates of new infection. By supporting the 'Art is Life' programme, Le Méridien guests will be helping to give young people in Africa the chance to live a life free from HIV.'

Since it was established in 1995, the Starwood and UNICEF Check Out for Children partnership has raised over $21 million worldwide for UNICEF's work through guest donations.

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