About 40 million people worldwide are now infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Some 3 million of them are expected to die of AIDS this year. Africa, with only 10 percent of the world's population, suffers over half of the world's HIV infections.

Heavily Muslim Senegal is a relative bright spot on the continent, with only about one percent of the population infected. On Thursday, dozens of children packed into a schoolhouse in the central Senegal town of Fatick to learn more about the disease.

"Our teacher told us that AIDS is a very dangerous disease," said 13-year old Aissatou Niang, wearing a green headscarf. "Only abstinence can save us," she said as her schoolmates giggled nearby.

"I've decided to wait until I'm 19 to have a relationship," said Awa Sarr. "When I go back home I'll tell my brothers and sisters about AIDS, that's why we're here."

Such frank talk among African children is likely to cheer anti-AIDS campaigners, who say science can help treat those with HIV, but that ignorance or taboos surrounding its transmission and symptoms means AIDS is hard to halt -- and treat.

Living with the Disease

In India, some 70 HIV-infected women stepped out of the shadows during a rally in Golaghat, a town in eastern Assam state, to acknowledge that they are living with the disease and should not be shunned.

"I'm happy many women have paid heed to our call and have openly admitted to their HIV-positive status," said Jahnabi Goswami, 28. "Men with the disease need to follow suit."

An estimated 5.1 million people are living with HIV in India -- the most in any single country except South Africa. Nigeria, Africa's most-populous nation, is third.

Thursday, South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka urged her countrymen to show their concern about AIDS throughout the year.

"Whatever good we do today let us repeat it tomorrow, next week and in the coming months as we look forward to the years ahead," she said.

South Africa's government has been accused of responding sluggishly to the crisis. Life-prolonging anti-retroviral drugs only became available through the public health system last year in South Africa.

Far Reaches of the Globe

In a speech in Washington, US President George W. Bush pledged to expand AIDS prevention programs the US funds in Africa and elsewhere around the world that emphasize abstinence as well as condom use.

Critics have said the programs stress abstinence at the expense of condom use, and that that is a dangerously unrealistic approach.

From the far reaches of the globe, solidarity was shown with the world's AIDS sufferers.

Thousands of candles were to illuminate the Swedish winter gloom, with anti-AIDS vigils planned for the capital, Stockholm, and a southern city, Malmo.

The British government marked World AIDS Day by contributing 27.5 million pounds (US$48 million, €40 million) to the global fight against the disease.

Estonia's National Institute for Health Development campaigned Thursday for increased tolerance of HIV-infected persons. With over 5,000 diagnosed cases, Estonia has one of the highest numbers of HIV-infections in Europe.

Testing and Counseling

In Southern Africa, the region hardest hit by AIDS, people -- some sheltering under umbrellas against the sun -- lined up to be tested in tents set up outside a new pediatric AIDS center on the outskirts of the capital of the tiny mountain kingdom of Lesotho. Lesotho was launching a program to offer free HIV testing and counseling to all households by the end of 2007.

"I urge all Basotho to know their status so that they can be able to manage their lives and receive treatment in the case of those affected," said King Letsie III of Lesotho.

But in Africa's last absolute monarchy, Swaziland, AIDS events were canceled by royal decree because they clashed with a traditional ceremony. More than 38 percent of Swazi adults are infected with HIV -- the highest infection rate in the world.

Only a few dozen joined a procession in Nigeria's biggest city of Lagos.

"Since I believe I don't have it, I don't see why I should march," said Mufu Adebajo, a 22-year-old craftsman watching from his roadside stand. "Otherwise, people will think I have it."