It is with great pleasure and a deep sense of privilege that the ICMDA HIV Initiative Interviewing/Selection panel announce the winner of the 2008 Dignity and Rights to Health Award.
Dr Geoff Foster, a Paediatrician in Zimbabwe, was selected from a number of other highly regarded and most worthy nominations. The award is made annually to persons for excellence, outstanding leadership and compassion in responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
We share with you the profile of Dr Foster:
1.Significant Impact locally, regionally and internationally.
Geoff recognized in 1987 that HIV was a devastating exploding epidemic when he saw, within a few weeks, many infants dying of AIDS at the Mutare government hospital . He began a crusade which continues through today to alert the world through publications, speaking, and demonstrating personal concern as a pediatrician in Zimbabwe. In my opinion none else has been more effective in bringing to the world’s attention the plight of children affected by HIV/AIDS and break the silence and hopelessness of Pediatric AIDS.
Below are a sample of his contributions:
A review of current literature on the impact of HIV/AIDS on children in sub-Saharan Africa (2000)
by Geoff Foster and John Williamson
Where the heart is: Meeting the psychosocial needs of young children in the context of HIV/AIDS (2006)
by Linda Richter, Geoff Foster and Lorraine Sherr
Also see: Bernard van Leer Foundation
Under the radar: Community safety nets for children affected by HIV/AIDS in poor households in sub-Saharan Africa (2005)
by Geoff Foster
Where the heart is: Meeting the psychosocial needs of young children in the context of HIV/AIDS (2006)
by Linda Richter, Geoff Foster and Lorraine Sherr
Also see: Bernard van Leer Foundation
2.Empowers others
Geoff created an NGO called FACT-now completely led by Nationals-he remains on the board-to be a channel for resources and to advocate within Zimbabwe for HIV in children and in their mothers. He has also worked extensively with community based groups particularly those within the faith communities to bring care and prevention to the village level.
In particular he has worked with the CBO/NGO ‘Farming God's Way’ to bring agricultural enterprises appropriate for orphans and the poor/vulnerable to enable survival in the critical condition that Zimbabwe finds itself today.
The church is the avenue that Dr. Foster sees as the primary strategy of delivering prevention and care to children in Africa-he has shown it can be done in the midst of complete government failure and actual policies that promote HIV spread and human degradation.
As noted above, Geoff with FACT, work primarily at the community level to bring programs for HIV prevention--and population survival in the absence of government/international programs.
We thank the ICMDA HIV Initiative standing committee for its dedication to the cause of holding so prominently before us all the in the ICMDA the reality of HIV/AIDS and its effects in our world.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Dignity & Right to Health Award: 2008 NomineesPart 2
Today we present the remaining two nominees for the ICMDA Dignity & Right to Health Awards 2008.
----------------------
Dr Peter Okaalet, Kenya
Impact at local and wider level
Peter acknowledges that his role in his immediate family is irreplaceable, where he sees he has a key role as a mentor and a model. He sees his relationship between he and his wife is his basis for leadership in the church. Peter joined MAP in 1996. He addresses issues of HIV, AIDS and poverty. His mission is to provide total health through the work of MAP international in east Africa, west Africa, Asia and Central America.
He teaches at the Haggai Institute in Nairobi, Singapore and Hawaii.
Empowers others in integrated community responses
As well as the above Peter is involved with MAP in active training of community health workers, training of pastors, and in the development of HIV curricula for theological colleges. In Kenya nd in six other countries. MAP trains community health workers who are at the interface between community and hospital – some of these workers are employed and others are volunteers. Map Partners with the Kenyan government in responses to HIV. Peter sees that Christians often fill the gaps that are not currently addressed by government.
Facilitates church integration and participation in best practice models of care
By participating in meetings with groups such as Micah network, Peter is able to disseminate within the MAP network, and more widely information on best practice models. Peter shared that churches are facilitated when they know where gapes in services are present, we know what we do and we know what others do.
Demonstrates excellence in full community involvement and empowerment of People Living With HIV and AIDS (PLWHA)
Peter has always worked closely with PLWHA, with TASO in Uganda before his work with MAP in Kenya. Peter commented that “the wearer of the shoe knows where it pinches most” Peter sees not only do PLWHA have an important role in storytelling, and also they have an important role directing and reflecting on strategy. MAP has a policy that strongly supports employment of PLWHA.
Facilitates and advocates for gender equality in community participation and response to the epidemic
Map is intentional in including boys, girls, men and women in all that they do. In a patriarchal culture, Peter shares that men do take time to understand the role of women. Theologically we know it is not good for man to be alone. MAP has a gender aware employment policy. Peter acknowledges that sixty per cent of those who are HIV infected in Africa are women.
Links well with government and other actors in a comprehensive approach to the epidemic
MAP is the chief facilitator for FBOs within government negotiations on HIV and AIDS. MAP has fulfilled this role for many years. MAP is represented on many agency boards that deal with HIV. The Kenyan Muslim community has adapted the MAP model.
Models creative and compassionate responses that inspire many to similarly enhance the dignity and human rights of people infected and affected by the epidemic.
MAP International staff belong to many churches. MAP International materials have been translated form English into Swahili, French, Portugese, Hausa and Amharic.
Does justice, loves kindness and walks humbly with God
Peter referred this answer to the MAP mission statement. MAP’s guiding principles, vision and mission are steeped in scripture. MAP’s motto is “Health and Hope for a Hurting World”.
See http://www.map.org/site/PageServer?pagename=who_Main
---------------------------------------
Dr Gisela Schneider, Germany
Impact at local and wider level
Programmes developed during the nineties in Gambia had a measurable impact in reducing stigma, increasing Christian engagement in a predominantly Muslim country, improved quality and length of life before the absence of ARVs, and emerging signs of an impact in HIV prevention. Programme was well integrated into the Gambian Government’s HIV services.
Empowers others in integrated community responses
Gisela’s work has been focused on developing community based responses that are integrated with government, church, hospital, training institutions, etc. Has an emphasis on building capacity by getting all stakeholders (e.g. churches, hospitals, families) to work to their strengths in addressing HIV.
Facilitates church integration and participation in best practice models of care
Strong emphasis on church involvement and empowerment - helping churches to identify the contribution that they can make to a coordinated response to HIV & AIDS, encouraging integrations of both churches and FBOs with Government health programmes
Demonstrates excellence in full community involvement and empowerment of People Living With HIV and AIDS (PLWHA)
Strong emphasis on developing local ownership and leadership, and it is very often PWLHA and their families that have been at the forefront of this.
Works, facilitates and advocates for gender equality in community participation and response to the epidemic
Gisela works very closely with women on the ground, and has being doing work in DRC in particular on helping churches to self identify gender roles and issues in general relation to health and to HIV in particular
Links well with government and other actors in a comprehensive approach to the epidemic
This programme encourages integration of church and FBO services with wider government and civil society health systems and social engagement.
Models creative and compassionate responses that inspire many to similarly enhance the dignity and human rights of people infected and affected by the epidemic.
The initial programme that ran for over a decade in Gambia was handed over to in other local leadership in 2004, and immediately there was interest in training people in the lessons learnt from Uganda. This led to another two year project that is now locally led, and the new, wider ministry of extending this training to other nations and contexts.
Does justice, loves kindness and walks humbly with God
Strong theological root to this work – it’s main emphasis is on living out the gospel in who you are, then in what you do, and finally in what you say. It is based on a theology of salt and light, engaging even with corrupt systems to model God’s Kingdom in practice. This is what Gisela has imparted to her staff, her partners on the ground, church leaders and FBOs. It is about doing what you do the best you can to serve God where and when you are faithfully.
We shall be announcing the winner in time for World AIDS Day, but all five nominees are people who have made a significant impact in their nation and the wider world in establishing and developing effective responses to HIV & AIDS from within their faith communities.
----------------------
Dr Peter Okaalet, Kenya
Impact at local and wider level
Peter acknowledges that his role in his immediate family is irreplaceable, where he sees he has a key role as a mentor and a model. He sees his relationship between he and his wife is his basis for leadership in the church. Peter joined MAP in 1996. He addresses issues of HIV, AIDS and poverty. His mission is to provide total health through the work of MAP international in east Africa, west Africa, Asia and Central America.
He teaches at the Haggai Institute in Nairobi, Singapore and Hawaii.
Empowers others in integrated community responses
As well as the above Peter is involved with MAP in active training of community health workers, training of pastors, and in the development of HIV curricula for theological colleges. In Kenya nd in six other countries. MAP trains community health workers who are at the interface between community and hospital – some of these workers are employed and others are volunteers. Map Partners with the Kenyan government in responses to HIV. Peter sees that Christians often fill the gaps that are not currently addressed by government.
Facilitates church integration and participation in best practice models of care
By participating in meetings with groups such as Micah network, Peter is able to disseminate within the MAP network, and more widely information on best practice models. Peter shared that churches are facilitated when they know where gapes in services are present, we know what we do and we know what others do.
Demonstrates excellence in full community involvement and empowerment of People Living With HIV and AIDS (PLWHA)
Peter has always worked closely with PLWHA, with TASO in Uganda before his work with MAP in Kenya. Peter commented that “the wearer of the shoe knows where it pinches most” Peter sees not only do PLWHA have an important role in storytelling, and also they have an important role directing and reflecting on strategy. MAP has a policy that strongly supports employment of PLWHA.
Facilitates and advocates for gender equality in community participation and response to the epidemic
Map is intentional in including boys, girls, men and women in all that they do. In a patriarchal culture, Peter shares that men do take time to understand the role of women. Theologically we know it is not good for man to be alone. MAP has a gender aware employment policy. Peter acknowledges that sixty per cent of those who are HIV infected in Africa are women.
Links well with government and other actors in a comprehensive approach to the epidemic
MAP is the chief facilitator for FBOs within government negotiations on HIV and AIDS. MAP has fulfilled this role for many years. MAP is represented on many agency boards that deal with HIV. The Kenyan Muslim community has adapted the MAP model.
Models creative and compassionate responses that inspire many to similarly enhance the dignity and human rights of people infected and affected by the epidemic.
MAP International staff belong to many churches. MAP International materials have been translated form English into Swahili, French, Portugese, Hausa and Amharic.
Does justice, loves kindness and walks humbly with God
Peter referred this answer to the MAP mission statement. MAP’s guiding principles, vision and mission are steeped in scripture. MAP’s motto is “Health and Hope for a Hurting World”.
See http://www.map.org/site/PageServer?pagename=who_Main
---------------------------------------
Dr Gisela Schneider, Germany
Impact at local and wider level
Programmes developed during the nineties in Gambia had a measurable impact in reducing stigma, increasing Christian engagement in a predominantly Muslim country, improved quality and length of life before the absence of ARVs, and emerging signs of an impact in HIV prevention. Programme was well integrated into the Gambian Government’s HIV services.
Empowers others in integrated community responses
Gisela’s work has been focused on developing community based responses that are integrated with government, church, hospital, training institutions, etc. Has an emphasis on building capacity by getting all stakeholders (e.g. churches, hospitals, families) to work to their strengths in addressing HIV.
Facilitates church integration and participation in best practice models of care
Strong emphasis on church involvement and empowerment - helping churches to identify the contribution that they can make to a coordinated response to HIV & AIDS, encouraging integrations of both churches and FBOs with Government health programmes
Demonstrates excellence in full community involvement and empowerment of People Living With HIV and AIDS (PLWHA)
Strong emphasis on developing local ownership and leadership, and it is very often PWLHA and their families that have been at the forefront of this.
Works, facilitates and advocates for gender equality in community participation and response to the epidemic
Gisela works very closely with women on the ground, and has being doing work in DRC in particular on helping churches to self identify gender roles and issues in general relation to health and to HIV in particular
Links well with government and other actors in a comprehensive approach to the epidemic
This programme encourages integration of church and FBO services with wider government and civil society health systems and social engagement.
Models creative and compassionate responses that inspire many to similarly enhance the dignity and human rights of people infected and affected by the epidemic.
The initial programme that ran for over a decade in Gambia was handed over to in other local leadership in 2004, and immediately there was interest in training people in the lessons learnt from Uganda. This led to another two year project that is now locally led, and the new, wider ministry of extending this training to other nations and contexts.
Does justice, loves kindness and walks humbly with God
Strong theological root to this work – it’s main emphasis is on living out the gospel in who you are, then in what you do, and finally in what you say. It is based on a theology of salt and light, engaging even with corrupt systems to model God’s Kingdom in practice. This is what Gisela has imparted to her staff, her partners on the ground, church leaders and FBOs. It is about doing what you do the best you can to serve God where and when you are faithfully.
We shall be announcing the winner in time for World AIDS Day, but all five nominees are people who have made a significant impact in their nation and the wider world in establishing and developing effective responses to HIV & AIDS from within their faith communities.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Dignity & Right to Health Award: 2008 Nominees Part 1
We, the ICMDA HIV Initiative team, have received five nominations for the Dignity and Right to Health Award 2008. The following five individuals were nominated -
Rev Gideon Byamugisha – Uganda
Dr Mukwege – DRCongo
Dr Geoff Foster - Zimbabwe
Dr Peter Okaalet – Kenya
Dr Gisela Schnieder – Germany
All nominees are acknowledged as demonstrating excellence and authenticity in keeping with Micah 6:8. They are excellent role models for us all.
--------------------------------
Rev. Canon Gideon Byamugisha, Kampala, Uganda
Canon Gideon Byamugisha is an ordained priest in the Church of Uganda.
In 1992, he became the first African religious leader to openly declare his HIV-positive status. He has since devoted his life to an AIDS ministry which has taken him to over 40 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and many other parts of the world.
Work
Gideon is driven by a passion for the dignity and rights of all people, especially those marginalised, stigmatised and discriminated against because of their HIV-positive status. He has played leading roles in the Church of Uganda's AIDS program, the Uganda AIDS Commission, World Vision International, the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, special conferences of the United Nations, and in founding the African Network of Religious Leaders living with or Affected by HIV and AIDS.
Impact
Gideon has successfully challenged AIDS-related stigma, denial and discrimination within and outside the church. He has corrected wrong and misleading information about HIV and AIDS, and provided accurate and relevant information in a clear, easily understandable manner. He has spread awareness of the multi-sectoral dimensions of the AIDS pandemic, especially the ways in which people's choices are influenced by poverty, gender discrimination, cultural practices and sexual violence. He argues that HIV and AIDS are both preventable and manageable.
He calls upon people to spread hope about HIV through peer education, counselling, home-based care, practical help and prayer, pointing to an array of outstanding work with which people can engage.
------------------------------
Denis Mukwege, Bukavu, DRC
Dr Denis Mukwege is a gynaecologist, who is working in Bukavu, South Kivu, Eastern Congo. He trained in France but went back to DRC many years ago to serve at a mission hospital in a rural area of South Kivu. 10 years ago he had to flee this region and his hospital was burnt down in the war. Dr Mukwege did not return to France but started a new hospital in Bukavu. He opened a maternity unit, but his first operation was not a caesarean section, but a woman who was destroyed by war – raped by soldiers and with large injuries to her genital organs. Dr Mukwege saved her life and restored her dignity once again.
Since that day he has not stopped fighting for the survival of women in the community. He developed an excellent centre for women who were raped, 3600 women are treated at this centre per year. He trained young doctors in this type of surgery and care and developed a psycho- social support network for the women who often could not return home into their villages because of war. He never was afraid to operate on women whether they are living with HIV or not. His work and testimony reaches far not only South Kivu, but all of DRC and on a global level.
He did not only assist women but he started to advocate for the right of the women and families in the villages of South Kivu whose life is at risk because of external forces who exploit the land for coltan, gold and other minerals. Dr Mukwege speaks up and he says: “We do not want money we need peace in our country”.
Impact at local and wider level
At local level Dr Mukwege has made a huge impact on the lives of women who are raped or are suffering from VVF, many of whom are HIV positive. In addition he has worked as an advocate for peace in DRC on an international level and has spoken for the many women whose life stories are too sad to tell.
Empowers others in integrated community response In post war Congo, it is not easy to do community work. But Dr Mukwege started a psycho-social service for the women at Panzi hospital. With mobile teams he now reaches rural areas with services for women. In addition as the head of the ECC (Eglise du Christ du Congo) medical work, he mobilises churches and communities to get involved in the healing ministry of the church. He is head of a health zone in Bukavu and coordinates the church health services in 22 health zones throughout South Kivu.
Facilitates Church integration and participation
Dr Mukwege is an elder in the church (CEPAC) in Bukavu. He is very much aware of the importance of the integration and participation of the church in the healing ministry and recently started a new approach of envisioning the church to participate in this ministry.
Empowerment of PLWHA
Dr Mukwege does not only work with PLWHA but he works with all women who are sexually assaulted, many of whom are HIV positive. They are actively involved in the care and recovery process and many of his counsellors and workers are women who have recovered from such trauma.
---------------------
Dr Geoff Foster, Zimbabwe.
Significant Impact locally, regionally and internationally.
Geoff recognized in 1987 that HIV was a devastating exploding epidemic when he saw, within a few weeks, many infants dying of AIDS at the Mutare government hospital . He began a crusade which continues through today to alert the world through publications, speaking, and demonstrating personal concern as a paediatrician in Zimbabwe. In my opinion noone else has been more effective in bringing to the world’s attention the plight of children affected by HIV/AIDS and break the silence and hopelessness of Paediatric AIDS.
Below are a sample of his contributions:
Empowers others
Geoff created an NGO called FACT-now completely led by Nationals-he remains on the board-to be a channel for resources and to advocate within Zimbabwe for HIV in children and in their mothers. He has also worked extensively with community based groups particularly those within the faith communities to bring care and prevention to the village level.
In particular he has worked with the CBO/NGO ‘Farming GOD’s Way’ to bring agricultural enterprises appropriate for orphans and the poor/ vulnerable to enable survival in the critical condition that Zimbabwe finds itself today.
Facilitates Church integration and participation
The church is the avenue that Dr. Foster sees as the primary strategy of delivering prevention and care to children in Africa-he has shown it can be done in the midst of complete government failure and actual policies that promote HIV spread and human degradation.
As noted above, Geoff with FACT, work primarily at the community level to bring programs for HIV prevention--and population survival in the absence of government/international programs.
Rev Gideon Byamugisha – Uganda
Dr Mukwege – DRCongo
Dr Geoff Foster - Zimbabwe
Dr Peter Okaalet – Kenya
Dr Gisela Schnieder – Germany
All nominees are acknowledged as demonstrating excellence and authenticity in keeping with Micah 6:8. They are excellent role models for us all.
--------------------------------
Rev. Canon Gideon Byamugisha, Kampala, Uganda
Canon Gideon Byamugisha is an ordained priest in the Church of Uganda.
In 1992, he became the first African religious leader to openly declare his HIV-positive status. He has since devoted his life to an AIDS ministry which has taken him to over 40 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and many other parts of the world.
Work
Gideon is driven by a passion for the dignity and rights of all people, especially those marginalised, stigmatised and discriminated against because of their HIV-positive status. He has played leading roles in the Church of Uganda's AIDS program, the Uganda AIDS Commission, World Vision International, the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, special conferences of the United Nations, and in founding the African Network of Religious Leaders living with or Affected by HIV and AIDS.
Impact
Gideon has successfully challenged AIDS-related stigma, denial and discrimination within and outside the church. He has corrected wrong and misleading information about HIV and AIDS, and provided accurate and relevant information in a clear, easily understandable manner. He has spread awareness of the multi-sectoral dimensions of the AIDS pandemic, especially the ways in which people's choices are influenced by poverty, gender discrimination, cultural practices and sexual violence. He argues that HIV and AIDS are both preventable and manageable.
He calls upon people to spread hope about HIV through peer education, counselling, home-based care, practical help and prayer, pointing to an array of outstanding work with which people can engage.
------------------------------
Denis Mukwege, Bukavu, DRC
Dr Denis Mukwege is a gynaecologist, who is working in Bukavu, South Kivu, Eastern Congo. He trained in France but went back to DRC many years ago to serve at a mission hospital in a rural area of South Kivu. 10 years ago he had to flee this region and his hospital was burnt down in the war. Dr Mukwege did not return to France but started a new hospital in Bukavu. He opened a maternity unit, but his first operation was not a caesarean section, but a woman who was destroyed by war – raped by soldiers and with large injuries to her genital organs. Dr Mukwege saved her life and restored her dignity once again.
Since that day he has not stopped fighting for the survival of women in the community. He developed an excellent centre for women who were raped, 3600 women are treated at this centre per year. He trained young doctors in this type of surgery and care and developed a psycho- social support network for the women who often could not return home into their villages because of war. He never was afraid to operate on women whether they are living with HIV or not. His work and testimony reaches far not only South Kivu, but all of DRC and on a global level.
He did not only assist women but he started to advocate for the right of the women and families in the villages of South Kivu whose life is at risk because of external forces who exploit the land for coltan, gold and other minerals. Dr Mukwege speaks up and he says: “We do not want money we need peace in our country”.
Impact at local and wider level
At local level Dr Mukwege has made a huge impact on the lives of women who are raped or are suffering from VVF, many of whom are HIV positive. In addition he has worked as an advocate for peace in DRC on an international level and has spoken for the many women whose life stories are too sad to tell.
Empowers others in integrated community response In post war Congo, it is not easy to do community work. But Dr Mukwege started a psycho-social service for the women at Panzi hospital. With mobile teams he now reaches rural areas with services for women. In addition as the head of the ECC (Eglise du Christ du Congo) medical work, he mobilises churches and communities to get involved in the healing ministry of the church. He is head of a health zone in Bukavu and coordinates the church health services in 22 health zones throughout South Kivu.
Facilitates Church integration and participation
Dr Mukwege is an elder in the church (CEPAC) in Bukavu. He is very much aware of the importance of the integration and participation of the church in the healing ministry and recently started a new approach of envisioning the church to participate in this ministry.
Empowerment of PLWHA
Dr Mukwege does not only work with PLWHA but he works with all women who are sexually assaulted, many of whom are HIV positive. They are actively involved in the care and recovery process and many of his counsellors and workers are women who have recovered from such trauma.
---------------------
Dr Geoff Foster, Zimbabwe.
Significant Impact locally, regionally and internationally.
Geoff recognized in 1987 that HIV was a devastating exploding epidemic when he saw, within a few weeks, many infants dying of AIDS at the Mutare government hospital . He began a crusade which continues through today to alert the world through publications, speaking, and demonstrating personal concern as a paediatrician in Zimbabwe. In my opinion noone else has been more effective in bringing to the world’s attention the plight of children affected by HIV/AIDS and break the silence and hopelessness of Paediatric AIDS.
Below are a sample of his contributions:
- A review of current literature on the impact of HIV/AIDS on children in sub-Saharan Africa (2000) by Geoff Foster and John Williamson
- Where the heart is: Meeting the psychosocial needs of young children in the context of HIV/AIDS (2006) by Linda Richter, Geoff Foster and Lorraine Sherr Also see: Bernard van Leer Foundation
- Under the radar: Community safety nets for children affected by HIV/ AIDS in poor households in sub-Saharan Africa (2005) by Geoff Foster
- Where the heart is: Meeting the psychosocial needs of young children in the context of HIV/AIDS (2006) by Linda Richter, Geoff Foster and Lorraine Sherr Also see: Bernard van Leer Foundation
Empowers others
Geoff created an NGO called FACT-now completely led by Nationals-he remains on the board-to be a channel for resources and to advocate within Zimbabwe for HIV in children and in their mothers. He has also worked extensively with community based groups particularly those within the faith communities to bring care and prevention to the village level.
In particular he has worked with the CBO/NGO ‘Farming GOD’s Way’ to bring agricultural enterprises appropriate for orphans and the poor/ vulnerable to enable survival in the critical condition that Zimbabwe finds itself today.
Facilitates Church integration and participation
The church is the avenue that Dr. Foster sees as the primary strategy of delivering prevention and care to children in Africa-he has shown it can be done in the midst of complete government failure and actual policies that promote HIV spread and human degradation.
As noted above, Geoff with FACT, work primarily at the community level to bring programs for HIV prevention--and population survival in the absence of government/international programs.
Monday, November 17, 2008
A Creed for the AIDS Pandemic
The Christian HIV/AIDS Alliance have launched a “Creed for the AIDS Pandemic” designed to be read out in churches, on either Sunday nearest to World AIDS Day, December 1st. The aim is to help churches to remember the 2.1 million people who died from AIDS related illnesses last year alone, and to express support for those involved in the response to HIV and AIDS throughout the world.
CHAA member, the Salvation Army UK Territory, plan to launch the Creed in their churches for World AIDS Day 2008; Tearfund have written their own version inspired by CHAA’s Creed; Alpha International, Holy Trinity Brompton, and St Philip and St James Church, Bath, also both plan to use the Creed. Copies of the Creed were also distributed to Anglican Diocesan World Mission Officers and Mission agencies attending the recent Anglican, “Partners in Mission World Mission” conference.
CHAA developed the Creed as a step towards their vision to see a mobilised UK Christian Community responding to the Global pandemic.
The short Creed affirms Christian belief in God’s love to reach out to those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS whilst firmly rejecting the idea of the AIDS pandemic being God’s judgement on sinful behaviour. Its emphasis is firmly on the church being an agent of change, putting the responsibility on church members to reach out as Christ’s’ disciples to comfort the broken hearted, help the oppressed, care for orphans and widows and minister to the sick. The Creed is in bookmark format, designed to be signed and dated and kept as a reminder by church members as a commitment to be involved with the worldwide pandemic.
AIDS activist, Rev Alan Bain, Vice Chair of CHAA, and Vicar of St Philip and St James Church, Bath, said, “ At the World AIDS conference in Mexico City this year UN Secretary – General, Ban Ki Moon pointed out that an even greater effort is now required if the world is to meet the Millennium Development Goal of halting and reversing the spread of HIV by 2015. CHAA’s new Creed provides a reminder and an opportunity for churches to commit themselves to solidarity with the overseas church who have fought the pandemic for over 25 years, often in situations of abject poverty and deprivation.”
Chair of CHAA, Ken Pearson said, “The Creed for the AIDS pandemic is not new. It is being lived out every day by millions of Christians living with and caring for those affected by the pandemic. My prayer is that the Creed will reawaken the UK Church to our responsibility to share with them in their need.”
The full text of The Creed is as follows:
1. We believe that God loves the world and the proof of that love is the Lord Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross.
2. We believe that through the reconciling power of the Cross, God’s love seeks to embrace all people regardless of creed, colour, gender or sexual orientation and that the AIDS pandemic is not God’s judgement on sinful behaviour.
3. We believe that God has called the Church to be the agent of His love in this broken world.
4. We believe that Christ’s love compels us that we should no longer live for ourselves but for Him and that the Gospel calls us to care for our brothers and sisters in Christ and share in their sufferings and to do good to all people.
5. We believe that as stewards of the talents we have been given, we have a responsibility to use them to help all those affected by the AIDS pandemic.
6. We believe that, as Christ’s disciples, we are called to comfort the broken-hearted, help the oppressed, care for orphans and widows and minister to the sick.
7. Therefore, as God’s people, we covenant together to pray regularly, give generously, fight stigma, encourage one another, and share in fellowship with those affected by the pandemic.
The Christian HIV/AIDS Alliance is a network of 19 Christian agencies and churches praying and working together to serve and empower those affected by HIV and AIDS. Copies of the “Creed for the AIDS Pandemic” are available to order or by download on the CHAA website, www.chaa.info
CHAA member, the Salvation Army UK Territory, plan to launch the Creed in their churches for World AIDS Day 2008; Tearfund have written their own version inspired by CHAA’s Creed; Alpha International, Holy Trinity Brompton, and St Philip and St James Church, Bath, also both plan to use the Creed. Copies of the Creed were also distributed to Anglican Diocesan World Mission Officers and Mission agencies attending the recent Anglican, “Partners in Mission World Mission” conference.
CHAA developed the Creed as a step towards their vision to see a mobilised UK Christian Community responding to the Global pandemic.
The short Creed affirms Christian belief in God’s love to reach out to those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS whilst firmly rejecting the idea of the AIDS pandemic being God’s judgement on sinful behaviour. Its emphasis is firmly on the church being an agent of change, putting the responsibility on church members to reach out as Christ’s’ disciples to comfort the broken hearted, help the oppressed, care for orphans and widows and minister to the sick. The Creed is in bookmark format, designed to be signed and dated and kept as a reminder by church members as a commitment to be involved with the worldwide pandemic.
AIDS activist, Rev Alan Bain, Vice Chair of CHAA, and Vicar of St Philip and St James Church, Bath, said, “ At the World AIDS conference in Mexico City this year UN Secretary – General, Ban Ki Moon pointed out that an even greater effort is now required if the world is to meet the Millennium Development Goal of halting and reversing the spread of HIV by 2015. CHAA’s new Creed provides a reminder and an opportunity for churches to commit themselves to solidarity with the overseas church who have fought the pandemic for over 25 years, often in situations of abject poverty and deprivation.”
Chair of CHAA, Ken Pearson said, “The Creed for the AIDS pandemic is not new. It is being lived out every day by millions of Christians living with and caring for those affected by the pandemic. My prayer is that the Creed will reawaken the UK Church to our responsibility to share with them in their need.”
The full text of The Creed is as follows:
1. We believe that God loves the world and the proof of that love is the Lord Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross.
2. We believe that through the reconciling power of the Cross, God’s love seeks to embrace all people regardless of creed, colour, gender or sexual orientation and that the AIDS pandemic is not God’s judgement on sinful behaviour.
3. We believe that God has called the Church to be the agent of His love in this broken world.
4. We believe that Christ’s love compels us that we should no longer live for ourselves but for Him and that the Gospel calls us to care for our brothers and sisters in Christ and share in their sufferings and to do good to all people.
5. We believe that as stewards of the talents we have been given, we have a responsibility to use them to help all those affected by the AIDS pandemic.
6. We believe that, as Christ’s disciples, we are called to comfort the broken-hearted, help the oppressed, care for orphans and widows and minister to the sick.
7. Therefore, as God’s people, we covenant together to pray regularly, give generously, fight stigma, encourage one another, and share in fellowship with those affected by the pandemic.
The Christian HIV/AIDS Alliance is a network of 19 Christian agencies and churches praying and working together to serve and empower those affected by HIV and AIDS. Copies of the “Creed for the AIDS Pandemic” are available to order or by download on the CHAA website, www.chaa.info
Friday, November 7, 2008
HIV Call to Action from Evangelical leaders worldwide
I have just read the HIV Call to Action adopted the World Evangelical Alliance General Assembly on October 29 in Thailand. This was drafted after their consultation with the Micah Network for Integral Mission. It also feeds in to the joint global campaign both networks are running around the Millennium Development Goals - the Micah Challenge.
I think it speaks eloquently of both God's heart and our responsibility as we are faced with the local and the global challenges that HIV & AIDS present to the world.
I think it speaks eloquently of both God's heart and our responsibility as we are faced with the local and the global challenges that HIV & AIDS present to the world.
While we have not always acknowledged it, we recognise today that the Body of Christ, His Church, is living with HIV. With brokenness we admit that as Evangelical Christians we have allowed stigmatisation and discrimination to characterise our relationships with people living with HIV. We repent of these sinful attitudes and commit to ensuring that they are changed. We will follow Jesus’ example and identify with those who are affected (Matthew 9:12-13) as we intercede fervently for one another (Romans 8:26).We recognize that as the current generation of young people in our churches enters adulthood and becomes sexually active we have not always provided a clear, biblical framework of human sexuality and life skills for their guidance and nurture. We are cognizant that we have been insensitive to the inability of women, children and the most marginalised to exercise real choices and that in many areas of the world marriage and gender-based violence are risk factors for HIV transmission. We apologise for this failure and resolve to model and teach the essential value of human sexuality within the bounds of God-honouring lifestyles. We also commit ourselves to listen with understanding to our children, youth, women, and the most marginalised – especially people living with HIV – so that we can work together for a healthy and safe future which will enable all people to live in the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10).The HIV pandemic has reminded us that the health of all communities is connected to the health of the most vulnerable and marginalised in our societies. We commit as leaders to equip ourselves and our congregations to follow the footsteps of Jesus. Since ours is the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) we will seek to live out incarnational faith working in partnership with the most marginalised and vulnerable to HIV infection.As a community of Evangelical Christians we believe that all people regardless of belief, identity, gender, ethnicity or health are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Hence it is an essential element of our identity that we bear witness to the love of God for all people in word and deed, in private and in public. We therefore resolve to strengthen our theological reflection and practical action in our advocacy, respect for life and justice with dignity for all people. We realize that this resolution will profoundly challenge us as we deeply long to be a holy people who please God (1 Peter 1:15-16; Matthew 5:8). We reaffirm that we all live in and by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:1-2) and agapé love (1 Corinthians 13:1-8).We commit to working in HIV prevention in partnership with others to halt and reverse the spread of HIV. In so doing we understand that there are many social drivers that contribute to HIV transmission and that no one group or organisation can do everything. We will therefore work alongside other sectors of society so that all people will know how to protect themselves from infection and have access to the services needed to do so.We commit to playing our part in caring relationships – individually and corporately – working to mitigate the impact of HIV on individuals, families and communities and advocating for comprehensive HIV services in prevention, treatment, care and support. We will work towards universal access for these services for people living with HIV so that they become less vulnerable and are enabled to be meaningful contributors within the Church and society.We commit to develop a comprehensive HIV strategy in collaboration with our member-networks, people living with HIV and other partners.As a community of Evangelical Christians expressed globally, nationally and locally we will foster connections between parts of the Body of Christ. We will strive for practical solidarity and sacrificial giving among Christians – person-to-person, congregation-to-congregation, denomination-to- denomination, and country-to-country – in order that Jesus may be lifted up, the Father glorified and men and women brought into His saving grace through the life revolutionising power of the Gospel we preach (Romans 3:23-24; 6:23; Ephesians 5:8; Colossians 1:13).
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