and Inter-Governmental Organisations Statement by Faith-Based Organizations facilitated by the World Council of Churches for the UN Special General Assembly on HIV/AIDS, June 25 - 27, 2001 HIV/AIDS has been correctly described as the greatest threat to human well-being and public health in modern times. Millions of people have already died from this disease and millions more are directly or indirectly affected. The Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) presenting this statement wish to express our appreciation and respect to the United Nations for organizing this timely and most important Special General Assembly. We are committing ourselves to support all efforts already undertaken by local communities, governments, non-governmental and inter-governmental organizations to alleviate the human suffering caused by this pandemic and to prevent its further spread. FBOs are acutely aware of the complex nature of the infection and the root causes that have fuelled this pandemic, such as global socio-economic inequalities, marginalization of vulnerable people, poverty and gender issues. It has become increasingly apparent that the prevalence of HIV /AIDS rises in association with poverty and indeed causes poverty. Women and girls are disproportionately represented among the poor. Women often bear a triple burden as a result of HIV/AIDS, and men carry a special responsibility to change these factors: 1. Women are particularly vulnerable
to HIV infection due to biological and social factors including their
lack of rights in regard to self-determination in sexual relationships. FBOs are joining many other actors in the global fight against this devastating pandemic and can offer our specific resources and strengths. At the same time we acknowledge that we have not always responded appropriately to the challenges posed by HIV/AIDS. We deeply regret instances where FBOs have contributed to stigma, fear and misinformation. However, it is also fair to say that FBOs have often played a positive role in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. Countries such as Senegal, Uganda, and Thailand which have involved religious leaders early on in the planning and implementation of national AIDS strategies, have seen dramatic changes in the course of the epidemic. For example, religious communities in Uganda, working hand in hand with AIDS service organizations and the government, have championed peer education, counselling and home care programmes. A church leader has led the National AIDS Commission in Uganda since 1995. In Uganda, Zambia and Tanzania, prevention efforts have resulted in changed sexual behaviour including delayed sexual activity among adolescents, and a reduction in the number of sexual partners. These modifications of behaviour have been part of the message of many FBOs. In Thailand, Buddhist and Christian groups have introduced home based care services and greatly contributed to the destigmatization of the disease. Right from the beginning of the HIV/AIDS crisis, local communities have been at the very forefront of caring for those affected by HIV/AIDS. FBOs are rooted in local structures and are therefore in an excellent position to mobilize communities to respond to the HIV/AIDS crisis. In many cases, religious organizations and people of faith have been among the first to respond to the basic needs of people affected by the disease, and indeed have pioneered much of the community-based work. And yet these FBOs are often overlooked. More often than not, the capacity of FBOs has not been maximised because we have not received adequate levels of training or resources to address the impact of the disease. We have learnt that prevention works provided there is openness and dialogue. Many HIV prevention strategies, such as promoting temporary abstinence leading, for example to delayed sexual activity in young people, voluntary testing and counselling, mutual faithfulness in sexual relationships, and the use of condoms have contributed to the reduction of the risk of HIV transmission. These methods should be promoted jointly by governments and civil society including FBOs. Resources that FBOs offer in the fight against HIV/AIDS 1. REACH - FBOs are present in communities all over the world. We have deep historical roots and are closely linked to the cultural and social environment of the people and have effective channels of communication that can be utilized. 2. EXPERIENCE/ CAPACITY - FBOs have been seeking to serve the needs of people affected by HIV/AIDS since the beginning of the pandemic. We have developed pioneering innovative approaches such as home-based care, both for people living with HIV/AIDS and for affected children. In many countries, particularly in Africa, we provide a significant proportion of health and educational services. These institutions can and should be utilized in any extended programmes on care and treatment. 3. SPIRITUAL MANDATE - FBOs are in a unique position to address the spiritual needs of people affected by the disease. We provide a holistic ministry for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, addressing the physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being of the individual and the community. 4. SUSTAINABILITY - It is not just the scale of the AIDS pandemic that presents a fundamental challenge to the world, but also its duration. Long-term commitments are necessary to control this disease. As FBOs, we have proven our sustainability through continuous presence in human communities for centuries. We have withstood conflict, natural disaster, political oppression and plagues. Members of religious organizations have demonstrated commitment to respond to human needs based on the moral teachings of their faith, and they do this voluntarily and over long periods of time. It is acknowledged that HIV/AIDS has decimated communities and fragmented families, resulting in the breakdown of traditional caring relationships; community-based FBOs are in a position to make sustained efforts to address this deficit. Recommendations
For Future Collaboration
We are asking the leaders of Faith-Based
Organizations to consider: 1.
Putting in place programmes that would eliminate traditional and cultural
inequalities that exacerbate the vulnerability of women and children. We are asking governments to consider: 1.
Providing extensive support to FBOs (access to information, training and
financial resources) in order that we may fulfil our role effectively.
We are asking UNAIDS and other UN organizations to consider: 1.
Involving FBOs in the planning, implementation and monitoring of HIV/AIDS
programmes at local, national and international levels. The international community can take this opportunity offered by UNGASS to build on the unique resources offered by FBOs, given our local community presence, influence, spirit of volunteerism and genuine compassion facilitated by our spiritual mandate. Governments alone will not be able to launch the broad-based approach that is required to address this problem decisively. This Special Session on HIV/AIDS should lead to a broad coalition between governments, UN organizations, civil society, and NGOs including faith-based organizations. Given this joint cooperation and the necessary resources, we can make a tremendous difference to the fight against AIDS in terms of prevention, care and treatment. The FBOs represented at this Special General Assembly on HIV/AIDS realize that we cannot claim to speak for all world religions and religious organizations. But we wish to express our sincere commitment to continuing to work within our own communities for the dignity and rights of People Living with HIV/AIDS, for an attitude of care and solidarity that rejects all forms of stigma and discrimination, for an open atmosphere of dialogue in which the sensitive root causes of HIV/AIDS can be addressed and for a strong advocacy to mobilize all the necessary resources for an effective global response to the pandemic. This statement has been endorsed and supported by: Anglican
Communion Contact person: Christoph
Benn Tel:
1-212-867-5890
"WCC urges UN organizations..." |