Faith-Based Groups Plan to Deliver at 16th International AIDS Conference

NEW YORK CITY//July 31, 2006///Accountability is the recurring theme as thousands of policy makers, researchers, health care providers, activists and people living with HIV prepare for the 16th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2006), "Time to Deliver", 13-18 August, in Toronto, Canada. Faith-based participants intend to examine how they will help deliver on their promises - and challenge government and other players to keep their promises through ecumenical and inter-faith pre-conferences.

Members of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) will be participating throughout the pre-conference and conference. ICCR will host a workshop for people of faith on corporate accountability, and present a paper at the conference itself.

"Statements and promises have been made that give people hope", states Linda Hartke, coordinator of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance. "These words must be put into action." She added that "The international AIDS conferences have been increasingly important venues to learn, to share experiences, and to push key players to deliver on their promises."

"Faith in Action: Keeping the Promise" is the theme of the ecumenical and interfaith pre-conferences taking place at University of Toronto's 89 Chestnut residence, 10-12 August.

With registration full, over 500 faith-based participants will hear and discuss central challenges to their response to HIV and AIDS, including working with the most marginalized people living with HIV, cooperating with multi-lateral and civil society organizations and networks, and fulfilling the promises faith groups have made in response to AIDS. Skills building workshops will help participants share best practices and strengthen responses in grassroots action and advocacy.

Richard Fee, General Secretary of The Presbyterian Church in Canada and member of EAA's Ecumenical Advocacy Committee, notes that in addition to being very active in communities in providing health care and support, faith-based organizations are increasingly active as international advocates calling for promises to be fulfilled at all levels so that universal access to treatment, care and prevention can be achieved. "We know there is still a lot of work to be done in our own communities to overcome the silence and stigma associated with AIDS", he states. "But if we all fulfill our promises - most particularly governments in providing the resources and infrastructure necessary - we can not only provide universal access but reverse the spread of the disease."

Key presenters in the pre-conferences include:
--Rick Warren, pastor, author, global strategist and philanthropist. His latest book, The Purpose-Driven Life, has sold over 25 million copies. Kay Warren is the Executive Director of the HIV/AIDS Initiative at Saddleback Church, a congregation of over 22,000 people in Lake Forest, California. The Warrens donate 90 percent of their income through three foundations addressing HIV and AIDS, poverty, and church leader training.
--Bishop Mark Hanson, President of The Lutheran World Federation and Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
--Canon Gideon Byamugisha, founder of the African Network of Religious Leaders living with or personally affected by HIV or AIDS (ANERELA+); Church/Faith-Based Organization Partnership Resource Person, World Vision International.
--Erik Sawyer, one of the founders of ACT UP.
--Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS.

Probably the largest conference on a single health issue, AIDS 2006 comes on the heels of a major UN review of government responses to AIDS in New York in May and the G8 meeting in St. Petersburg in July, both of which deeply disappointed many faith-based organizations and other civil society actors for the lack of follow up on previous commitments and avoidance of setting clear targets for action.

During AIDS 2006, faith-based representatives will join over 20,000 other participants from the academic, scientific and medical communities; corporations; policy makers from governmental and intergovernmental organizations; national and international non-governmental organizations and movements; and positive people's networks. Participants will share the latest research, initiatives, best practices and innovative responses - as well as identify key areas for further advocacy.

Churches and church-related organizations in the Toronto area have formed a Christian Host Committee through the Canadian Council of Churches to support and facilitate the faith-based presence at AIDS 2006. The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance provides overall coordination and support for faith-based participation through its secretariat and several international planning committees.

CONTACT:
Email: media@e-alliance.ch
Tel. (until August 8): +44 1524 727651 (In Canada call the local secretariat at +1 416 972 9494 ext.24)
Mobile (August 9-19): +1 416 825 2256

The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance is a broad international network of churches and Christian organizations cooperating in advocacy on global trade and HIV and AIDS. The Alliance is based in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information, see http://www.e-alliance.ch/