by David Barstow, Report Coordinator
Religious leaders and institutions have been a vital part of the global response to HIV and AIDS since the early days of the epidemic. However, the faith-based response to HIV must be scaled up significantly if we are to end the HIV epidemic by 2030.
This strategy paper outlines success criteria, the key elements of a coordinated interfaith strategy, and near-term activities that will lay a solid foundation for executing the strategy during the rest of the 2020s. It reflects the continuing efforts spurred by the September 5, 2019, event “Two Possible Futures: Faith Action to End AIDS,” which was hosted at the Berkley Center in partnership with the Georgetown University Global Health Initiative, World Faiths Development Dialogue, and International Shinto Foundation; it featured many of the contributors to this paper as speakers. This paper was made possible through the efforts of David Barstow, who drafted the paper and coordinated with all listed contributors to ensure that their insights were accurately reflected.
CONTRIBUTORS’ STATEMENT:
We all hope that the 2020s will be the last decade of the HIV and AIDS epidemic—that by 2030 HIV and AIDS will no longer be threats to public health. Religious leaders and institutions have key roles to play if the global effort to end the epidemic is to succeed. Meaningful and engaged strategic planning can help ensure that those key roles are played effectively, and that religious leaders and institutions are strong helpful partners in ending the HIV epidemic.
Please Save the Date to the HIV Interfaith Conference, “Resilience & Renewal: faith in the HIV response”, that will take place virtually on 22-23-24 September 2020.
Resilience & Renewal will provide a space for sharing, capacity building and advocacy among people of faith involved in HIV and AIDS. It will be an opportunity to celebrate and get inspired by the many resilient people engaged in the HIV response; and an occasion to recommit faith leaders and communities in the comprehensive response to HIV.
Resilience and Renewal will create a space for dialogue and an opportunity to identify joint actions to address some of the challenges and emerging issues to the achievements of the 2020 and 2030 HIV-related targets.
The event is organized by several faith groups’ representatives around the world and people living with HIV through the support of the UNAIDS-PEPFAR Faith Initiative.
Venue: Virtual Platform / Dates: 22-23-24 September 2020
Registration and Participation are free of charge. Please register HERE
