East-Central Africa Division (ECD) of Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church Regional workshop on HIV/AIDS
The Nairobi declaration 

Nairobi Kenya, 10-13 November 2003 

"We, who attended the East - Central African Division (ECD) of Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church Regional Workshop on HIV/AIDS, are very concerned about the increasing nature of the pandemic in our region. HIV/AIDS threatens the very stability and development of our Church and its institutions. HIV positive Adventists have to live not only with the pain and harm brought about by the disease, but also with rejection, discrimination, misunderstanding, and loss of trust from fellow members and the community at large. As the pandemic has unfolded, it has exposed weaknesses in our understanding of the Church's theology and ministry thereby contributing both actively and passively to the spread of the virus. The tendency to exclude others, misinterpretation of the scriptures and the theology of sin has been instrumental in promoting stigma, exclusion and suffering of People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA). 

Given the extreme nature of the emergency situation we acknowledge our responsibility to our Church members and the community. It is our mandate to engage in multiple Christian responses to the HIV/AIDS problem, and call upon our people to unite in prayer and action asking God to guide us in loving and caring ministries. We realize that we have the source of power to move the mountains because we have faith in God. We have Love - a powerful tool for service. We are committed to be the Heart, the Feet, and the Hands of Christ in responding to this call. 

We, as members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, will work with the leaders of the Church to commit ourselves to:

  • Developing relevant policies at all levels of Church governance that respects rights, promotes dignity, and ensures care and support for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

  • Initiate fundraising by ECD together with partners such as ADRA, governments, NGO's, UN Global Funds, etc. for prevention and care and support programmes in the local Churches and communities.

  • Ensuring that PLWHA are supported and involved in activities of the Church as resource persons in education, training, prevention, care and support, advocacy, theological reflection, and other programs. 

  • Building the capacity of our members, especially youth, and our leaders to understand key issues in HIV/AIDS in order to better support the community, particularly in breaking the silence on sex and sexuality, overcoming stigma, enhancing awareness, prevention, counselling and testing, care giving, worship and preaching, improving economic support, and networking.

  • Partnering and networking with other faith and non-faith-based groups such as NGOs, institutions of higher learning, governments, research bodies, and community groups to maximize resources and benefits of HIV/AIDS programming in accordance with the GC.

  • Challenging the traditional gender roles and power relations within our institutions, communities and families that adversely contribute to the disempowerment of women, and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

  • Examining and addressing negative cultural/traditional practices that spread HIV, and work to change them positively. 

We commend our partners who have helped in our efforts to combat the disease. We are heartened to see a growing involvement of PLWHA, non-government organizations, governments, donors, Churches, and other voluntary organizations. We realize that the problem of HIV/AIDS is not just a medical one, but is also spiritual, social, cultural, economic, and psychological. Thus, our response will be holistic and complete. The challenge is the Church's! "…I tell you the truth, whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40.