The faith-based response to HIV and AIDS has become more visible and integrated because of the increased engagement and coordination of faith-based representatives over the past International AIDS Conferences.

A range of faith-based activities are now being planned for AIDS 2018 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 23-27 July 2018.

Interfaith Pre-Conference: Faith Building Bridges

Under the theme "Faith Building Bridges", a pre-conference to AIDS 2018, is organized by the World Council of Churches – Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (WCC-EAA) in the Amsterdam Planetarium on 21-22 July 2018.

The programme and discussion will focus around how faith groups and leaders can, should and are building bridges to more effectively eliminate AIDS, with particular attention to marginalized groups. Tentative topics include: migration and HIV; children, adolescents and HIV; substance abuse and HIV; and people at the margins.

Global Village

The WCC-EAA will be hosting an Interfaith Networking Zone at the Global Village providing a dynamic space for exchanges, resources and workshops. In addition to the Faith Networking Zone, this year WCC-EAA will organize a networking space on prevention and testing, together with UNAIDS and WHO.

Interfaith Prayer Service

A service memorial will be organized in connection with AIDS 2018 in Amsterdam.

Chaplains programme

In partnership with the International AIDS Society, the WCC-EAA organizes a room at the conference venue as an Interfaith Prayer Room. This will be open and accessible to all conference participants.

Some ten interfaith chaplains and young counsellors will lead faith-based prayer and worship sessions during the conference, and are available for informal counselling and spiritual support to conference participants.

More information will be posted continually, at www.iacfaith.org