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News Release
Canadian Churches host international Ecumenical
Pre-Conference on AIDS
in advance of the XVI International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2006)
8 August 2006
For Immediate Release
(Toronto)- Over 500 faith-based participants from around the world
will hear and discuss central challenges to their response to HIV
and AIDS at "Faith in Action: Keeping the Promise," the
two-day Ecumenical Pre-conference on Thursday and Friday, August
10 and 11. Participants from the conference will take part in a
special interfaith pre-conference on Saturday, August 12. Both events
will be at the University of Toronto's 89 Chestnut.
The conference was organized by the Christian Host Committee through
the Canadian Council of Churches to support faith-based presence
at AIDS 2006 with the Geneva-based Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance.
KAIROS is a member of the Christian Host Committee and the Ecumenical
Advocacy Alliance.
The conference will build on a letter signed by Canadian church
leaders that was sent to Prime Minister Stephen Harper on May 8,
2006, calling for action to “address the issues at the root
of this pandemic—the source of so much suffering and death”.
The letter called on Canada to take the initiative in six key areas
to help stop HIV and AIDS. These include debt cancellation, ending
forced privatization of health care in the developing world, increasing
Canadian contributions to the Global Fund, amending Canada’s
pharmaceutical laws; and committing to addressing fundamental gender
and age inequalities that fuel the pandemic. (For a copy of the
letter, see - www.ccc-cce.ca/english/justice/hiv.htm
)
The Pre-Conference will include hundreds of faith-based delegates
who are coming to Toronto from across the globe to participate in
the XVI International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2006) from August
13 to 18, 2006. At the Pre-Conference, participants will discuss
how they are contributing to the fight against HIV and AIDS, while
looking at how governments, corporations and agencies are keeping
promises already made to address the AIDS crisis.
The conference will also examine what the churches' response has
been toward the most marginalized people living with HIV, cooperating
with multi-lateral and civil society organizations and networks,
and fulfilling the promises faith groups have made in response to
AIDS. Skills-building workshops will help participants share best
practices and strengthen responses in grassroots action and advocacy.
See the full program at -
www.e-alliance.ch/resources/hivaids/2006/iac_preconf/PreConferenceProgram.pdf
Keynote speakers at the Pre-Conferences include
- Rick Warren, pastor, author, global strategist and philanthropist.
His latest book, "The Purpose-Driven Life," has sold
over 25 million copies;
- Ms. Rachel Ong, Asia Pacific Network of People Living with
HIV/AIDS;
- Bishop Mark Hanson, president of The Lutheran World Federation;
- Canon Gideon Byamugisha, founder of the African Network of
Religious Leaders living with or personally affected by HIV or
AIDS (ANERELA+);
- Rev. Patrica Sawo, ANERELA+;
- Erik Sawyer, founder of ACT UP; and,
- Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS.
For more information Contact:
Karen Plater, Chair / Christian Host Committee
TEL 416-441-1111 ext 243 : CEL 416-524-3218
E-M
kplater
For Interviews and Photo-OPs, contact:
Diana Mavundse, Ecumenical Media Team
TEL 416 924 9199 ext. 352 : CEL 416- 666-3492
E-M
dmavunduse
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