Norway’s Crown Princess Wins Award For HIV/AIDS Work

Crown Princess Mette-Marit won Norway’s Plussprisen prize for her efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. The prize – announced in connection with World AIDS day – was awarded by the Norwegian group HivNorway that was formed to safeguard the rights and interests of people infected and affected by HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

The princess is a goodwill ambassador for the joint United Nations program, UNAIDS.

Mette-Marit shared the prize with Ragnhild Backstrom, who has worked to prevent discrimination against HIV-positive children.

The Crown Princess spent World AIDS Day in Oslo, meeting with children and telling them to be leaders of the future. The theme for Norway’s World AIDS Day was taking responsibility for one’s actions.

“We need national and global leaders to fulfill its commitment to ensure universal access to prevention, treatment and care,” the crown princess said, according to www.side2.no.

“But today, 26 years after the virus was discovered, we must also secure leadership for the future.  We need young people to follow up and intensify effort stop and reverse the spread of HIV. In my AIDS-related work, I meet remarkable young people who have energy, courage and endurance to address the sensitive question and put pressure on? those in power,” she added.

Mette-Marit, along with husband Crown Prince Haakon, has travelled to Canada and Nicaragua as UNAIDS ambassadors. Earlier this year, Mette-Marit went to Ukraine to meet with those living with HIV, but suffered a concussion and could not carry out the plans.

Some 3,000 people live with HIV in Norway.

The Plussprisen Award has been awarded since 1997 with Britain’s Sir Elton John a recipient in 1998.