November 28, 2005

December 1, designated World AIDS Day, is seen as a time to remember those who have died as a result of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, to educate and to organize to end this deadly epidemic.

This year the American Friends Service's Committee's Life Over Debt Campaign commemorates World AIDS Day with an emphasis on holding governments and the international community accountable to honoring their commitments to stop AIDS.

25.8 million Continental Africans are infected with HIV/AIDS; making up over half of the worlds 40.3 million people with the disease.

Given this reality we feel it is untenable for the IMF and World Bank to force indebted and impoverished African nations to complete a program of controversial, rigid and often damaging economic reforms in order to be eligible for debt cancellation.

This process deems only 14 Africa countries eligible for cancellation, leaves 33 African countries in critical need of debt cancellation and exasperates the African healthcare crisis in all of sub-Saharan Africa. As a result, Africans continue to pay billions of dollars annually to service predominately illegitimate debts, at their own expense.

We recognize that cancellation of the African Continent's Debt is a major part of the solution to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

We hope you will join with us on this World AIDS day.

Below are a few things you can do RIGHT NOW to educate yourself, connect with others involved in the fight against the Continent of Africa's Odious Debt and HIV/AIDS pandemic:

1. Join the Call to Prayer for Debt Cancellation on December 2nd, 3rd, and 4th at Mosques, Temples and Churches. For information and materials, visit the afsc web site at http://www.afsc.org/africa-debt/call-to-prayer.htm.

2. Download Jubilee USA Network's report: Deadly Delays: How IMF/World Bank Economic Policies Undermine Debt Cancellation, which analyzes economic policies of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank in four countries: Zambia, Cameroon, Malawi, and Nicaragua.

3. Join Amnesty International USA's Online Discussion: Violence against Women, HIV/AIDS and U.S. Policy, tomorrow, December 1st, from 12:00-1:00 PM Eastern AI USA will discuss the connection between violence against women and HIV/AIDS, as well as the impact of U.S. global AIDS policy, particularly on the right to health. To submit a question, visit http://www.movingideas.org/chat/HIV_AIDS/HIV_AIDS.php.

To learn more about Africa's debt crisis and other educational/advocacy opportunities visit us at http://www.afssc.org/lifeoverdebt/.

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) was the co-recipient of the 1947 Nobel Peace Prize, which honored Quakers' historic work to relieve the suffering of war. The Service Committee is comprised of people from many faiths and backgrounds who are committed to social justice, peace and humanitarian service. Since 1917, AFSC has aided millions of people around the world through its peace, economic development, and human rights programs. AFSC was a leader in the movements to end the Vietnam War and to dismantle apartheid in South Africa and remains a leader in international movements for peace and justice.

American Friends Service Committee
The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization that includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace and humanitarian service. Its work is based on the belief in the worth of every person and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice.