WAC Faith

In the following section you will find information on campaigning activity from faith groups at an international, regional and national level.

“Religion is a key element of community organisation and social structures worldwide. Seventy percent of the world’s people identify themselves as members of a faith community. Their faith shapes their perceptions of themselves and of others. It conditions how they respond to their neighbours. It affects how they interact with people living with HIV – the majority of whom are themselves members of a faith community.”
---Scaling up effective partnerships (December 2006)

Studies and mapping exercises show that faith-based organizations are involved in up to a quarter of the HIV and AIDS response world-wide, particularly in treatment, care, and response to orphans and vulnerable children in the poorest areas around the world. Even more, many people living with HIV, affected by HIV, responding to HIV, are people of faith, and faith is a motivating factor for action, compassion, and hope.

Religion and religious communities, however, have also been barriers to an effective response through silence, denial, stigma and discrimination.

Increasingly, though, faith-based organisations and religious leaders are becoming stronger and vital advocates for overcoming stigma and discrimination, promoting all evidence-based means of prevention, integrating people living with HIV in decision-making and programmes, promoting universal access, and calling on all – including religious communities – to fulfil the promises they have made to overcome the pandemic.

Faith-based communities and people of faith will be very involved in actions and commemorations for this World AIDS Day, from including the theme in worship and prayers to joining with others in their communities in vigils and actions.

For more information on this please see Faith in Action on World AIDS Day


Articles in this section Articles in this section:

World AIDS Day Statement from Ruth Messinger

11 Dec 2006 – 8:48

NEW YORK, November 30 — In commemoration of World AIDS Day, Ruth Messinger, President of Ame…

Bishop Kevin Dowling of South Africa:The power of healing

01 Dec 2006 – 11:22

A Christian reflection on AIDS and the power of healing from Bishop Kevin Dowling of South Africa

Message from the Pope on World AIDS Day

29 Nov 2006 – 17:16

On this coming 01 December, World AIDS Day will once again be observed. I hope that this obs…

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson

29 Nov 2006 – 18:44

"Churches and faith communities are an essential part of the solution because people of fait…

Inaugural winner - Dignity and Right to Health Award

29 Nov 2006 – 16:03

The HIV Initiative of the International Christian Medical and Dental Association is pro…

Faith in Action on WAD

29 Nov 2006 – 16:29

In virtually every country, faith communities are marking World AIDS Day through vigils, wor…

Message of Caritas Internationalis on World AIDS Day

29 Nov 2006 – 16:04

In conjunction with the World AIDS Campaign and on the occasion of World AIDS Day 2006, Cari…

DETENGAMOS EL SIDA. MANTENGAMOS EL COMPROMISO

29 Nov 2006 – 16:07

Hermanos y hermanos: Les adunto un borrador de una posible declaración o mensaje para utiliz…

California Summit to link Aids and striving for peace

29 Nov 2006 – 16:09

The Purpose Driven Network, led by authors Rick and Kay Warren, will host a major gathering…

UCAN: Get Ready for World AIDS Day

29 Nov 2006 – 16:11

Please see below World AIDS Day resources from the United Church AIDS/HIV Network. (UCAN)

EAA: Pray and take action on World AIDS Day

17 Oct 2006 – 14:24

What Can I Do on World AIDS Day? See what is happening already in your local community, a…

Special Services for World AIDS Day

29 Nov 2006 – 16:23

The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance encourages churches to plan an ecumenical worship service f…

Keep the Promise. For Faith

12 Oct 2006 – 16:28

Below is faith campaigning information featured on our CD-Rom from the Ecumenical Advocacy A…

EAA Mobilize Youth "Letters to the World"

29 Nov 2006 – 16:25

The World AIDS Campaign is proud to support an initiative launched by the Ecumenical Advocac…