HIV and AIDS Press Release

Take the Lead on World AIDS Day 2007

Introduction

World AIDS day is celebrated every year on 1 December. It is an opportunity for individuals and groups all over the world to come together to remember, and demonstrate worldwide support to people living with and people affected by HIV and AIDS. It is the one day in the year where issues surrounding HIV and AIDS take centre stage.

The Presbyterian Church in Canada strongly encourages you and your church to make the most of World AIDS Day 2007 by engaging in some form of worship, event, advocacy focused on HIV and AIDS, or by supporting our Towards a World Without AIDS campaign.

Background

The focus overall theme of World AIDS Day 2007 (and 2008) is on leadership, under the slogan "Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise."

During the past year there have been some encouraging advances in the global response to HIV and AIDS although we continue to fall far short in the resources and efforts needed to stop the spread of the disease. In the last month government leaders at the Global Fund Replenishment meeting in Berlin renewed and made new commitments to fund HIV and AIDS care, treatment and prevention programs in countries that have insufficient resources. Similar commitment to respond to HIV and AIDS is reflected throughout the world in national and local initiatives, in churches and religious organizations and in civil society.

However, the greatest advances at any level have been made when there is strong and committed leadership. Leaders with vision, passion, and perseverance, who lead with personal engagement, inspire others to become engaged and make a huge difference in the response of communities to and are better example in the response to HIV and AIDS. This type of leader is found in your homes, your churches, your schools, and your offices.

So "Take the Lead" in responding to key issues surrounding HIV and AIDS. Issues such as stigma and discrimination; access to medicines; and better prevention, treatment, support and care. At home, in schools, at workplaces or worship spaces, you can "Take the Lead" in a compassionate, active and effective response to HIV and AIDS.

What can you do?

Find out what is happening in your local area to commemorate World AIDS Day 2007. Encourage your church or organization to get involved, or why not use some of the ideas below to "Take the Lead" and organize an event in your local community!

Plan an event in support of the Presbyterian Church in Canada's Towards a World Without AIDS (TWWA) campaign. Visit the Towards a World Without AIDS website for ideas and information on the work supported in Canada and overseas.

Plan an ecumenical service for the Sunday before or after World AIDS Day, or on 1 December itself. The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA) has prepared a special service that can be used on the first Sunday of Advent, plus ideas and other worship resources that can be adapted for other times. The service is available in English at: http://www.e-alliance.ch/hiv_resources.jsp./media/media-7092.doc

French and Spanish versions will be available soon.

Use the World AIDS Campaign material to prepare posters, messages, and other promotional material. World AIDS Day materials can also be downloaded from the World AIDS Campaign website:
www.worldaidscampaign.org

Organize a prayer and discussion group based on the devotional calendar for the 2007 Advent, Christmas and Epiphany season on HIV and AIDS using the global campaign theme: "Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise." Devotions begin on World AIDS Day, 1 December and continue through 6 January. You can download the Calendar at: http://www.e-alliance.ch/hivaids_adventcal.jsp

Take up the EAA Keep the Promise advocacy curriculum with young people and adults. Study the facts about HIV and AIDS and learn how campaigning can really make a
difference in overcoming injustice. Out of your study and discussion, write letters to your national leaders asking them to "take the lead" in keeping the promises they have made and do more to meet the promise of universal access to treatment by 2010. The updated curriculum is available in English, Spanish, and, French and German, Portuguese and Russian at http://www.e-alliance.ch/keepthepromise.jsp

Visit the EAA's website, http://www.e-alliance.ch/wad.jsp for more study and action
ideas.

Add your event to the list of events taking place all over the world at: http://worldaidscampaign.info/index.php/wac/wac/keep_the_promise/wad_200...

Download this Action Alert: http://www.e-alliance.ch/media/media-7100.pdf