Live the Promise: HIV and AIDS Campaign
Press Release, http://www.e-alliance.ch/
5 April 2011
People most affected by the HIV pandemic and those active in the response will speak at the United Nations on Friday, 8 April, in a “civil society” hearing with government representatives.
The hearing is part of a comprehensive review of the progress achieved in realizing the 2001 Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the 2006 Political Declaration. Following the hearing, a draft United Nations declaration will be circulated among governments and civil society organizations that should assess the progress that has been made and set new targets for adoption in a high-level meeting 8-10 June. Central in the previous commitments was achieving universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010, which is far from being reached. The current estimates are that only one-third of people living with HIV are receiving the treatment that they need.
Press Release continues below after the video-break suggested by World Christian Press:
Faith-based organizations, including the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, will be represented in the New York meetings, as well as in national advocacy to ensure that progress is both maintained and strengthened. Many of those engaged in the response fear that while progress has been made, it is not enough and will be lost if governments’ political will and financial commitments are reduced.
The 8 April hearing will take place in the General Assembly Hall at the United Nations from 10am to 5pm, and feature three panels on community, national, and global responses and needs. Speakers include three from faith-based organizations:
Mr Christopher Senyonjo (Uganda), St. Paul’s Foundation for International Reconciliation
Ms. Nuraan Osman (South Africa), Islamic Resource Foundation of South Africa
Ms. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda (Zimbabwe), World Young Women’s Christian Association
On 7 April, a Multi-faith prayer gathering for faith-based delegates and New York faith communities will be held from 6-7:30 pm at the Tillman Chapel, Church Center for the United Nations (1st Ave. & 44th Street). A number of other pre-meetings will also take place that day, including:
Women’s Meeting: 8-10am at Helmsley Hotel, Murry Hill Room.
Children and HIV meeting: 9:30-11:30am at UNICEF, Labouisse Hall, Floor 1 (On 44th Street between 1st & 2nd Avenues.)
Care and Support meeting: 11am-1pm at UNICEF, Labouisse Hall, Floor 1.
Broader civil society meeting at Helmsley Hotel, Turtle Bay Room beginning at 2pm.This will provide an overview of what to expect during the civil society hearing, as well as an outline of the processes in the lead-up to the High Level Meeting in June. Key messaging in the negotiations for the next declaration of commitment on AIDS will be discussed.
For more information contact: Sara Speicher, sspeicher@e-alliance.ch, +44 7821 860 723.
Source: http://www.e-alliance.ch/
Reprinted with permission from Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance
The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance is a broad international network of churches and Christian organizations cooperating in advocacy on food and HIV and AIDS. The Alliance is based in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information, see http://www.e-alliance.ch/
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