Glossary

Maybe you've been wondering about some of the terms we use on this website. No worries! Here are a few explanations!

• Act4Life
Dance4Life's fundraising initiative open to anyone or any company to become involved in Dance4Life. The money you raise will go to the Dance4Life Schools Projects in the Global South (Africa, Asia, Latin America and Russia.)
• Agents of change An Agent of Change is a young person (especially in the target group 13–19) who is personally involved with the Dance4Life project. Through the process of education (on HIV and AIDS, reproductive health, Life Skills) and empowerment, he/she makes a positive contribution. These contributions lead to concrete results in prevention, awareness-raising and breaking down of taboos, silence, and stigma/discrimination around HIV/AIDS.
• AIDS
The word ‘AIDS’ is used only when the immune system of someone living with HIV is so broken down that serious infections occur. AIDS is an abbreviation of ‘Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome’. The last three words, ‘Immuno Deficiency Syndrome’ indicate that AIDS is not one disease, but a ‘syndrome’, a ‘compound of diseases’ which are caused by ‘damage to the immune system’.
• Global South
Term for countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Generally thought of as the group of impoverished countries that are mostly in the Southern Hemisphere. A preferred term for “Third World” or “developing” countries. Dance4Life countries in the Global South are African, Asian, Latin American countries and Russia.
• HIV
HIV is the virus that can cause AIDS. It is the abbreviation of ‘Human Immuno Deficiency Virus’. It breaks down your body’s resistance. The white blood cells, which we all have to defend ourselves against illnesses, are broken down by HIV. You cannot die from HIV itself, but if you have it you can become critically ill from viruses and bacteria which wouldn’t normally have serious effects.
• Dance4Life International supports the development of Dance4Life projects in all existing and new Dance4Life countries.
• MDGs (Millennium Development Goals)
In September 2000, world leaders agreed to an ambitious agenda for reducing poverty and improving lives. The eight Millennium Development Goals are the result of that meeting, each with their own targets to monitor social, economic and environmental progress. Goal number six addresses HIV and AIDS and other diseases. The world leaders made these promises and now it is up to us to make sure they keep them.
• NCO (National Concept Owner)
In every country there is an NCO, an organisation which arranges and develops Dance4Life and the Schools Project in their country.
• NGO (Non-Government Organisation)
An NGO is an organisation that is not directly part of the structure of government. Usually they design and implement development-orientated projects.
• Reproductive Health
Sexual and reproductive rights and health include all means, services, care and information that young people need to make free and responsible decisions about their sexuality and the number and spacing of their children.
Young people have the right to education about safe sex so that they know how to protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. They should have access to contraceptives. Sexual and reproductive rights apply to everyone, without discrimination or stigma based on status or age.
• The Drill
“The Drill”, a dance and vocal routine, will connect you and your dance partners all over the world. Tour Teams in each country will teach The Drill to all the participating students. Together you will make a powerful statement of hope:

HIV and AIDS we can beat it
Take re-spon-si-bi-li-ty

People have a right to a life of
Love & health & harmony

HIV and AIDS we can beat it
Take re-spon-si-bi-li-ty

To-gether we cre-ate a fu-ture
World of pos-si-bil-ity

HIV and AIDS we can beat it
Take re-spon-si-bi-li-ty

I can
You can
Together we can all
BEAT IT!