The words on a small City Hall poster drew only the occasional glance as some 60 people waited for yesterday's World AIDS Day ceremony. But they captured the theme of the event: Shared rights, shared responsibilities.

At the top of the poster was an imitation hospital record on a child's birth, containing such details as sex, weight, length, and the date.

And below, scrawled in bold letters in a space marked for any other information, was the note: HIV Positive. To parents with the AIDS virus, it was a stark message about the deadly legacy they can pass on to their offspring. But to some who witnessed the low attendance at yesterday's ceremony, it was a message not getting through.

Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Quinton Edness -- who recently held the Health portfolio -- was quick to voice his dismay.

"I was very disappointed by the turnout. I was disappointed there was not more of an expression of interest in the City Hall ceremony.'' Asked what conclusions he drew from the low numbers, he mused: "It's hard to be judgmental.

"Maybe we need to do something more to get people's attention. It's difficult to say.'' Mrs. Hilary Soares, co-ordinator for Agape House, the hospice for the terminally ill, warned of the devastation wrought by such a "quiet'' disease.

"For every one AIDS patient, it is estimated there are between three and five other people with the disease who have not been identified.

"Because they don't know they have it they spread the virus around.'' Mrs. Soares said it was clear Government's anti-AIDS advertising had not been tough enough.

For those who did show up at yesterday's event to listen to speakers and view the AIDS Memorial Quilt, the message was simple: Everybody must throw themselves into the fight against the disease.

Health Minister Harry Soares pointed out Bermuda was joining 190 countries in observing the eighth annual World AIDS Day.

"It is time for each of us to take responsibility, and renew our commitment to helping prevent the further spread of HIV infection and AIDS.'' Mr. Soares said the week's activities -- organised by the Bermuda World AIDS Day Committee -- were a joint effort.

Working with the committee, were the public health service and such community groups as the Allan Vincent Smith Foundation. "They all continue to be active participants in the fight against AIDS along with many other organisations.'' It was a message Mr. Soares also took to the House of Assembly, as he told MPs: "Not only must we continue to educate our teenagers and young adults about AIDS.

"But we must take more aggressive steps to help our youth. This is a role not only for Government, but for the families and the community. We share responsibility.'' Mr. Soares praised organisers of World AIDS Day -- a tribute later repeated by Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Cann.

Midway through the City Hall ceremony, Premier David Saul read out a so-called "Proclamation'', in which he urged Bermudians to take part in AIDS Day activities.

These, he said, were designed to heighten awareness of AIDS and boost a global challenge to combat the disease.

Shadow Health Minister Renee Webb appealed for an end to discrimination against victims of the silent killer. "Justice and peace will not come if we allow those with the disease to be ostracised and discriminated against.'' Bermudians had to show kindness to those afflicted -- but, sadly, such tolerance was too rarely exhibited.

"We have a long way to go,'' she declared.

Associate Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio and founder of Stopping AIDS is my Mission (SAM), Dr. Victoria Cargill, showered praise on Bermuda, on the beauty of its people and the landscape.

"What is not so refreshing, however, is to learn how this place has been touched by AIDS and HIV.'' HIV -- the virus which leads to AIDS -- was no respecter of age, gender or social status, she said.

But Dr. Cargill believed Bermuda could be an example to other Countries hoping to get to grips with the disease. "Bermuda has a window of opportunity. You can provide scientific, accurate, non-judgmental information that can be a model for the rest of us.''