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Get involved: World AIDS Day 2008 is around the corner
Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance
September 23, 2008

Introduction

World AIDS day is celebrated every year on 1 December. It is an opportunity for individuals and groups all over the world to come together to remember, and demonstrate worldwide support to, people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. It is the one day in the year where issues surrounding HIV and AIDS can take center stage. The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA) strongly encourages faith-base d communities to make the most of World AIDS Day 2008 by engaging in some form of worship, event, or advocacy focused on HIV and AIDS.

Background

The focus of World AIDS Day 2008 is on leadership, under the slogan, "Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise" which is the world-wide campaign until 2010. 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day.

Over the past years there have been some encouraging advances in the global response to HIV and AIDS. We have seen increased commitment around the world to respond to HIV and AIDS in national and local initiatives, in churches and religious organizations and in civil society. The greatest advances at any level have been made when there is strong and committed leadership. Leaders with vision, passion and perseverance, who lead with personal engagement, inspire others to become engaged and make a huge difference in the response of communities to HIV and AIDS.

This year's theme of leadership encourages you to "Lead. Empower. Deliver" in responding to key issues surrounding HIV and AIDS. Issues such as stigma and discrimination, access to medicines, and prevention, treatment, support, and care. At home, in schools, at workplaces or worship spaces, you can take a lead, empower others, and help promises be delivered that will mean a compassionate, active and effective response to AIDS.

What can you do?

Find out what is happening in your local area to commemorate World AIDS Day 2008. Encourage your church or organization to get involved, or use some of the ideas below to organize an event in your local community! Plan an ecumenical service for the Sunday before World AIDS Day, or on 1 December itself. The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance has prepared a special service that can be used on the first Sunday of Advent, plus ideas and other worship resources that can be adapted for other times.

Use the World AIDS Campaign material, being sent to all EAA HIV and AIDS contact people, to prepare posters, messages, and other promotional material.

World AIDS Day materials can also be downloaded from the World AIDS Campaign website: www.worldaidscampaign.org

Organize a prayer and discussion group based on the devotional calendar for the Advent, Christmas and Epiphany season on HIV and AIDS. Devotions begin on World AIDS Day, 1 December and continue through 6 January.
You can download the Calendar at: http://www.e-alliance.ch/hivaids_adventcal.jsp

Join the EAA's advocacy on HIV-related travel restrictions. Study the facts about the impact of HIV-related travel restrictions on the lives of people living with HIV and learn how campaigning can really make a difference in overcoming injustice.

Learn about your own government's policy. Out of your study and discussion, create a letter writing campaign to officials in your government. You can advocate at all levels of government: from your local representatives all the way up the President or Prime Minister.

Work together with other religious communities, civil society organizations and networks of people living with HIV.

Make sure you let the media know about your plans.

The advocacy document is available in English, Spanish, French at:
http://www.e-alliance.ch/hivaids_travelrestrictions.jsp

Visit the EAA's website, http://www.e-alliance.ch/wad.jsp for more study and action ideas.

You can add your event to the list of events taking place all over the world by sending an e-mail to: worldaidsday@worldaidscampaign.org

*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.

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