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PRESS RELEASE | June 10, 2002

Children and AIDS: African Religious Leaders Convene Historic Meeting to Launch Continent-Wide AIDS Campaign

Hope for African Children Initiative co-sponsors inter-faith event to address impact of AIDS on children; African spiritual leaders promote 'engaged leadership'; Role of religious organizations in local communities is primary focus

NAIROBI / WASHINGTON D.C.- More than 120 senior African religious leaders convene today in Nairobi for a three-day assembly focusing on the role of religious communities in addressing the impact of the AIDS pandemic on children. Spiritual leaders such as Emmanuel Wamala, Archbishop of Kampala, Uganda; His Holiness Abune Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church; and Sheikh Twaib Mukuye, Deputy Mufti, Ugandan Muslim Supreme Council, are participating in a historic inter-faith meeting that aims to harness the moral leadership and untapped resources of religious communities in response to the devastating disease that is shattering African societies and leaving behind millions of orphans.

"At times religious leaders have not done enough on HIV/AIDS. Through our silence and denial we have contributed to increase stigma and exclusion of people living with HIV/AIDS and their families", says Twaib Mukuye, Deputy Mufti of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council. "This meeting demonstrates our renewed commitment to confront a disease that is decimating our communities. As spiritual leaders we are here to publicly launch a continent-wide Jihad on AIDS."

Dr. William Vendley, Secretary General of the World Conference on Religion and Peace, one of the five core partners of the Hope for African Children Initiative and the lead organization hosting this event, calls this Assembly "a rare opportunity for African religious leaders to make their collective voices heard on a matter as devastating as HIV/AIDS. Religious leaders play a key role in African societies. They are opinion makers who have the capacity to further mobilize religious communities and expand care."

"When religious leaders work together on a major issue such as AIDS, they not only improve their own capacity to respond, but are in a better position to leverage increased commitment from other leaders", explains Rev. Winston Njongonkulu Ndungane, Archbishop of Cape Town, an outspoken HIV/AIDS advocate. "Some of the solutions to this crisis already exist at the community level, what is lacking is the political will to make AIDS a global priority and the financial resources that would automatically come with that. So even though we are grateful for all that has been done in the areas of AIDS and debt cancellation, this is not enough."

It is estimated that 95% of the more than 13 million children who have been orphaned by AIDS live in sub-Saharan Africa. Children suffer profoundly as their parents fall sick or die. Their experience is often characterized by psychosocial distress, economic hardship, malnutrition and illness, withdrawal from school, fear and isolation, loss of inheritance, increased abuse and increased risk of contracting the virus themselves. Studies show that children who lose their parents to AIDS are more likely to suffer from abuse than children orphaned by other causes. This is largely a result of the stigma and discrimination so often associated with AIDS.

Religious communities are uniquely qualified to aid children. Faith-based groups are in the forefront of service-delivery efforts that cater to the needs of those who suffer and are poor. Over 85% of the population across Africa is actively involved in a religious institution, and religious communities are present in every place where children are feeling the impact of the pandemic. During the Assembly, delegates will visit sites around Nairobi that represent some of the most effective programs meeting the needs of children.

"Religious leaders have tremendous influence throughout Africa, and particularly at the community level where they have the moral authority to advocate for compassionate care and support for those who are HIV positive and for all vulnerable children", explained Dr. Pat Youri, Executive Director of the Hope for African Children Initiative. "Many quality programs that emphasize prevention and provide care and support for orphans and HIV affected families are run by faith-based groups. They have the moral leadership to reverse negative attitudes towards AIDS and to promote an enabling and caring environment".

Religious representatives, a quarter of whom are women religious leaders, are joined by other notable speakers equally committed to addressing the plight of children in the context of this ravaging pandemic. Among these are H.E. Ali Hassan Mwinyi, former President of the Republic of Tanzania; Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of UNICEF; and Stephen Lewis, Special Advisor on AIDS to the UN Secretary General. Heads of state and leaders of international organizations alike are seeking ways to mitigate the impact of AIDS as this disease wipes out the development gains of the past decades, particularly in the realms of mother and child health, life expectancy and education.

"When it comes to caring for the children and families affected by HIV/AIDS, religious communities are major leaders at the local and national levels. They are trusted, their networks reach people, and they care," says Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of UNICEF. "UNICEF is eager to work even more closely with faith-based groups to battle this daunting foe. The voice and reach of faith groups is crucial in preventing the spread of HIV among young people and caring for children affected by the disease."

At the end of the three-day assembly, delegates will adopt a Declaration and Plan of Action outlining the commitment of religious communities to address the rights and needs of children affected by AIDS.

Additional information available at: www.wcrp.org

Media Contacts

In Nairobi: Beatrice M. Spadacini, Cell: 254-722-421.282; Jennifer Okungu, Cell: 254-722-519.317

In the US: David Bryden, Tel: (301) 699-2065; Cell: (202) 549.3664