Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance to Bring Faith to International AIDS Conference

|TOP|The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance is leading Christian and other faith-based organisations in preparations for the forthcoming International AIDS Conference (IAC) 2006 to take place in Canada later in the year.

Plans are well underway for a faith-based participation of the Conference which will see more than 15,000 health workers, government representatives, people living with HIV and AIDS, and religious leaders descend on Toronto from August 13. to 18.

“Together we seek to learn from and contribute to the global response to HIV and AIDS, through sharing our experience and engaging actively in the 2006 International AIDS Conference,” said the EAA on its website.

“In all of our planning and engagement with the IAC, let us keep in mind and demonstrate in our actions the principle of the Greater Involvement of People living with HIV and AIDS (GIPA).”

|AD|More than 350 people of faith from more than 30 countries will gather together for the Ecumenical Pre-conference to be held from Aug. 10. to 11. and reflect on the challenges posed by the global HIV/AIDS pandemic to people of faith.

Delegates at the Pre-conference will evaluate the action taken so far as well as the current planning of strategies to further put the Gospel into action as part of the Christian response to HIV and AIDS.

A special Christian Host Committee has been formed by local churches and church-related organisations to support both the global faith-based activities at the IAC as well as to inspire the local faith community to learn about and get involved with the global efforts in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

The IAC will feature workshops and exhibitions, with the plans for a Joint Faith-based Exhibition being led by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Lutheran Services of America.

The Interfaith Chaplains Programme and worship at both the Ecumenical and Interfaith Pre-conferences will be led by the Rev. Terry MacArthur. There are plans for an Interfaith Prayer Room at the IAC, with Rev. MacArthur to work with a small interfaith advisory in guiding the overall planning.