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Rev. Michael Schuenemeyer, saying “Ending AIDS means stigma and discrimination are eliminated.”

Rev. Michael Schuenemeyer, saying “Ending AIDS means stigma and discrimination are eliminated.”

“Act now, not later.” Dr David Barstow chose this message for a photo featured in the “100-day countdown” to a United Nations (UN) High Level Meeting on HIV in New York on 8-10 June.

As he participated in a UN civil society hearing on 6 April, Barstow, founder of EMPACT Africa, was one of many leaders from faith-based organizations who met with Francesca Merico, HIV campaign coordinator for the World Council of Churches - Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (WCC-EAA). The hearing attempted to coalesce messages from many religious communities, humanitarian aid groups, social justice advocates, and government policymakers as they influence a UN Political Declaration that sets goals and guides commitments related to HIV and AIDS.

Barstow, Merico and others at the table have communicated on the world’s HIV and AIDS challenges many times, but some of them have just met for the first time face-to-face this week. As they share informally across the table they smile — and commiserate — about the challenge of forming a consensus among diverse faith communities.

Their dialogue injects a sense of urgency into a process that otherwise could feel bogged down by rhetoric and formality. They want to act — now.

Barstow, ruling elder at the Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin, TX (USA), often looks to the apostle Peter for inspiration. “What I like about Peter, perhaps because of his impetuousness, is his eagerness to act,” he says. “Peter doesn’t allow fear of making a mistake stop him from acting.”

EMPACT Africa’s name stems from the words — and the philosophy — EMpowering Pastors to ACT.

Others at the same table choose their messages with equal passion and determination.

Rev. Edwin Sanders, II, senior servant at the Metropolitan Interdenominational Church in Nashville, TN (USA), is also a board member of the Black AIDS Institute. He also serves on the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Scientific Advisory Board.

Sanders’s message: “Ending AIDS means addressing racism” stems from his work that pushes inclusion on all levels.

Rev. Martin Diaz, representing the Evangelical Protestant Church of Salvador, wrote a message — “acabar con el vih es descriminalizar a las personas que usan drogas” — that reflects his activism for drug reform and ending corruption.

Rev. Michael Schuenemeyer, executive director of the United Church of Christ HIV & AIDS Network in the United States, chose: “Ending AIDS means stigma and discrimination are eliminated.” He believes that stigma, at its worst, creates unsafe environments leading to violence and sometimes death.

Dr Stuart Kean, a senior policy adviser with World Vision International, also had a message for world leaders: “It is critical that world leaders provide the support to ensure that children and adolescents no longer are infected with HIV and those who are must have access to testing and treatment as a matter of urgency.”

Merico will take these messages and others into account as the WCC-EAA facilitates development of a “call to action” for faith leaders. She is also planning an interfaith prayer breakfast for June. Among other activities, the breakfast meeting will help amplify and unify the voice of an interreligious body as the High Level Meeting takes place.

“We would like to see faith leaders commit themselves on issues related to the Political  Declaration,” said Merico. “The declaration is not our finishing point but a starting point for all of us to make a commitment together.”

Finding common threads and a sense of unity among diverse faith communities is time-consuming, acknowledged a group that is committed to collaborating and ensuring diverse voices are heard.

Barstow’s grandfather, Dr Robbins Barstow, was among the faith leaders who gathered around the table during the time when the National Council of Churches in the U.S. was being formed. Robbins Barstow was determined to help refugees in the wake of World War II.

“I remember reading my grandfather’s letters about the challenges of getting the faith community to come to a consensus,” said David Barstow. “In some ways, our work is still the same.”

More information on the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance Live the Promise HIV Campaign

Human rights standards must guide response to HIV, WCC urges (WCC press release of 11 March 2016)

EMPACT Africa and Stigma Free Faith Communities