News
A clear, global interfaith call to action to end the AIDS epidemic will be unveiled at an interfaith service on 7 June at 5:30 p.m. in the Church Center of the United Nations, 777 United Nations Plaza in New York City.
The service will precede an 8-10 June UN High Level Meeting on AIDS at which world leaders will adopt a concise, action-oriented Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS. The declaration will express the commitment of nations to HIV response, and serve as a point of accountability for achieving the goals for ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030.
Speakers include Rev. Phumzile Mabizela, executive director, INERELA+ (an international, interfaith network of religious leaders living with or personally affected by HIV and AIDS) and representatives from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the United Nations Interagency Task Force on Religion and Development, World YWCA and faith leaders from different traditions.
The service will prepare faith leaders to engage their communities in action and advocacy that ultimately will strengthen international response to HIV.
Media opportunities and resources
There will be photo opportunities of religious leaders gathered in front of the United Nations building and walking to the Church Center chapel before the service. B-roll footage will also be offered free to news editors via Dropbox.
For more information concerning the interfaith service, please contact:
Marianne Ejdersten, WCC director of communication, [email protected] or +41.79.507.6363.
Sara Speicher, communication officer, WCC-Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, [email protected] or +44 7821 860 723.
Susan Kim, [email protected], or +1-301-651-8055.
Background on the interfaith service
The service will be organized by the World Council of Churches-Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (WCC-EAA) in cooperation with UNAIDS, United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, and United Nations Inter-agency Task Force on Religion and Development.
The event is an opportunity to gather in prayer to remember those who have died of AIDS; celebrate the progress made so far in the global response to AIDS; reflect on the role of faith-based organizations and faith leaders in calling for and implementing a strong Political Declaration on AIDS; and commit to the Political Declaration.
