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Welcome to the HIV/AIDS Caring Community update from the 2006 International AIDS Conference, Aug. 13-18, and the Ecumenical Pre-conference, Aug. 10-12. It is our hope to synthesize the vast amount of information presented at these events into tools that will assist you and your church in your HIV/AIDS ministry. We will update this page with insights from the conferences, news releases, helpful resources we’ve discovered, quotes, photos, and more. |
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Rick and Kay Warren challenge church leaders to
play a more vital role in the global AIDS response
Rick Warren and his wife, Kay, emphasized that the Church can and must play a more vital role in the global response to HIV/AIDS. They also challenged ecumenical Christian leaders from around the world to recognize the unique resources they bring to this struggle at the Ecumenical and Interfaith Pre-Conferences being held over the weekend in advance of the XVI International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2006), Aug. 13-18 in Toronto.
“We are here at these conferences to say to fellow Christians that we believe the Church needs to take the lead in the greatest health concern on the planet,” Dr. Warren, best-selling author of The Purpose Driven Life and pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., told delegates at the closing plenary. "We also want to make a statement to the watching world about how much is already being done by churches around the globe to bring hope where many feel hopeless.” Read more ... 
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PHOTO OF THE DAY
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The Giant Puppets for a Giant Challenge team uses creative arts to address HIV/AIDS. Using larger-than-life puppets as a mouthpiece, they travel the globe articulating HIV’s family and community challenges. Giant Puppets for a Giant Challenge is just one of many creative teams performing in the Global Village of the International AIDS Conference. PD Photo by Allison Cox
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PERSPECTIVES ON AIDS
“It’s not understood that AIDS is in an altogether different league. There’s denial about the fact that this is a long-term issue.” - Peter Piot, executive director, UNAIDS
“Sex is all around us. There’s no hiding it. So talk to your kids. … If you have a voice, use your voice to educate the next person.” - Hydeia Broadbent, 22-year-old college student who has had HIV since she was 3 years old
"In the pediatric ward of Lusaka General Hospital in Zambia, children were dying every 10 minutes and mothers were screaming inconsolably. I will never forget it and never expect to witness anything like it again. It will never leave my mind. It's very hard to convey on a public platform. You can convey the cries of despair, but the bizarre, horrific phenomenon of a child dying every few minutes as you walk through the ward and frankly, everyone taking it for granted. Walking with the superintendent of the hospital, a child dies and there's a look over the shoulder as if to register, 'normal, another kid has died.'" - Stephen Lewis, UN Special Envoy for AIDS in Africa, quoted in the Ottawa Citizen, responding to the question, "You have witnessed many dreadful things. What has been the worst moment?" |
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NEWS AND FEATURES
Christian AIDS activist calls on Christians to ‘open the doors of your churches and hearts to people with HIV’
The Coming AIDS Reformation
When you love people, you use money |
LINKS OF INTEREST
Online coverage of 2006 IAC
Daily online coverage of the 2006 International AIDS Conference by Kaisernetwork.org, a free news and information service operated by the Kaiser Family Foundation, will include: live and tape-delayed Webcasts and transcripts of more than 50 sessions; English, French, and Spanish podcasts; and slide presentations. You can also sign up for a daily e-mail with news briefs.
Ottawa Citizen Special Section: AIDS in Africa
This special section on AIDS was the focus of Sunday's edition of the Ottawa Citizen. Take time to learn the stories of those involved firsthand in AIDS work in Africa: a doctor, an AIDS counselor, grannies caring for their grandchildren who have lost parents, a nurse, the UN Special Envoy for AIDS in Africa, and others. A compelling photo gallery helps tell their stories.
A Closer Walk: AIDS special on PBS Thurs., Aug. 31, 9 p.m. ET
Filmed on four continents over a period of three years, A Closer Walk depicts the realities of global AIDS. The 80-minute documentary takes the viewer to locations in the United States, Ukraine, Uganda, South Africa, India, and Haiti, and offers personal stories of children, women, and men around the world who are affected by the disease. Those caring or advocating for people living with AIDS are featured prominently in the film as well. (Check local listings.)
Purpose Driven does not necessarily support or endorse all of the ideas presented in these resources. Some material may not be suitable for young readers. |
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