Worlds Largest Behaviour Modification Programme Launched at UN

The Three Amigos, a series of 20 short, world-class animated Public Service Announcements designed to entrench the use of condoms to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS throughout the world, is now available in 41 languages. Featuring three animated condom characters called Shaft, Stretch and Dick, these Public Service Announcements (PSAs) use comedy to deliver a serious message. The launch today at the United Nations by Firdaus Kharas, Producer and Director of the series, signifies the start of the worlds largest integrated behaviour modification programme. Consisting of 820 PSAs, this public awareness programme has a potential reach of approximately 80% of the worlds population.

(PRWEB) January 11, 2005 -- United Nations-The Three Amigos, a series of 20 short, world-class animated Public Service Announcements designed to entrench the use of condoms to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS throughout the world, is now available in 41 languages. Featuring three animated condom characters called Shaft, Stretch and Dick, these Public Service Announcements (PSAs) use comedy to deliver a serious message.

The launch today at the United Nations by Firdaus Kharas, Producer and Director of the series, signifies the start of the worlds largest integrated behaviour modification programme. Consisting of 820 PSAs, this public awareness programme has a potential reach of approximately 80% of the worlds population.

The Three Amigos is a groundbreaking HIV/AIDS prevention strategy, strongly supported by Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who has called the PSAs a powerful communicating tool", has written an open letter to broadcasters around the world which he calls an impassioned plea" to use these PSAs. They cannot be played enough". The series was created by volunteers.

This HIV/AIDS prevention campaign has received widespread acclaim. The Three Amigos has already received 25 international awards and competitive festival selections, including 4 international awards in the last week alone.

The Three Amigos is currently playing continuously in South Africa, the Netherlands and Canada. As of today, an international roll-out will offer the PSAs free to broadcasters, NGOs and community groups in any country.

Further information is available at www.thethreeamigos.org

For additional information and interviews please contact:

Firdaus Kharas. Producer & Director. Cell: (1)(613) 263-3321 Tel: (1)(613) 820-6121 Fax: (1)(613) 820-4679 e-mail: info@thethreeamigos.org.

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