August 8, 2006

Dr Peter Piot, Bishop Mark Hanson, Canon Gideon Byamugisha, Rev. Rick Warren and his wife Kay, and Erik Sawyer are among speakers at ecumenical and interfaith pre-conferences taking place on the eve of the world's largest HIV/AIDS conference.

Accountability is the recurring theme as an estimated 20.000 participants – policy-makers, researchers, health care providers, activists and people living with HIV – prepare for the 16th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2006), "Time to Deliver," 13-18 August, in Toronto, Canada.

Faith-based participants intend to examine how they will deliver on their promises – and challenge government and other players to keep their promises through ecumenical and inter-faith pre-conferences.

"Faith in Action: Keeping the Promise" is the theme of the ecumenical and interfaith pre-conferences taking place at University of Toronto's 89 Chestnut residence, 10-12 August. "Statements and promises have been made that give people hope," says Linda Hartke, coordinator of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance. "These words must be put into action."

At the pre-conferences, over 500 faith-based participants will hear and discuss central challenges to their response to HIV and AIDS, including working with the most marginalized people living with HIV, cooperating with multi-lateral and civil society organizations and networks, and fulfilling the promises faith groups have made in response to AIDS. Skills-building workshops will help participants share best practices and strengthen responses in grassroots action and advocacy.

Key presenters in the pre-conferences include:

• Dr. Peter Piot, executive director of UNAIDS, the joint UN programme on HIV/AIDS.

• Bishop Mark Hanson, president of the Lutheran World Federation and bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

• Canon Gideon Byamugisha, founder of the African Network of Religious Leaders living with or personally affected by HIV or AIDS (ANERELA+).

• Rev. Rick Warren, pastor, author of the 25 million copies best-seller The Purpose-Driven Life, and deeply committed to fighting HIV and AIDS.

• Mrs. Kay Warren, executive director of the HIV/AIDS Initiative at Saddleback Church, a congregation of over 22,000 people in Lake Forest, California.

• Mr Erik Sawyer, one of the founders of the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP).

Probably the largest conference on a single health issue, AIDS 2006 comes on the heels of a major UN review of government responses to AIDS in New York in May and the G8 meeting in St Petersburg in July, both of which deeply disappointed many faith-based organizations and other civil society actors for the lack of follow-up on previous commitments and avoidance of setting clear targets for action.

During AIDS 2006, faith-based representatives will join over 20,000 other participants from the academic, scientific and medical communities; corporations; policy-makers from governmental and intergovernmental organizations; national and international non-governmental organizations and movements; and positive people's networks.

Participants will share the latest research, initiatives, best practices and innovative responses – as well as identify key areas for further advocacy.

Churches and church-related organizations in the Toronto area have formed a Christian Host Committee through the Canadian Council of Churches to support and facilitate the faith-based presence at AIDS 2006. The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance provides overall coordination and support for faith-based participation through its secretariat and several international planning committees.

The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance is a broad international network of churches and Christian organizations cooperating in advocacy on global trade and HIV and AIDS. The Alliance is based in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information, see: http://www.e-alliance.ch/.

World Council of Churches