AIDS 2016: Faith groups take “Fast Track” in HIV response

Representatives of faith-based organizations and communities will gather 16-17 July in Durban, South Africa for an interfaith pre-conference, “Faith on the Fast Track: Reducing Stigma and Discrimination, Increasing Access, and Defending Human Rights – NOW!”

The interfaith conference takes place in advance of AIDS 2016, the 21^st International AIDS Conference, which will be held 18-22 July in Durban, South Africa: www.aids2016.org

Coverage of faith-based participation: www.iacfaith.org

Twitter: #FaithAIDS2016

Pre-conference sessions open to the media

The interfaith pre-conference will feature four plenary sessions as well as workshops. All plenaries will be open to registered media (media registration available on-site). Media access to workshops is determined by the workshop organizer.

(all times shown are local South Africa Time)

Saturday, 16 July 9:30-11:00 am

Opening Plenary: Faith on the Fast Track

Speakers include:

Dr César Antonio Núñez, M.D. MPH Director of UNAIDS Latin American & Caribbean

Ms Faghmeda Miller – first Muslim woman in South Africa to declare her HIV-positive status

Ms Laichhuanzuali “CZ” Ralte, winner of the 2015 World YWCA Mary Robinson Award for Human Rights for her advocacy in India as a young woman living with HIV

Saturday, 16 July 4:00 -5:30 pm

Joint plenary with Catholic Pre-Conference: Super-Fast Track for early diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents living with HIV

Speakers include:

Dr Luiz Loures, deputy executive director of UNAIDS and assistant secretary-general of the United Nations
Ambassador Deborah L. Birx, coordinator of the United States Government Activities to Combat HIV/AIDS and U.S. Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy
Mr Anil Soni, Head of Global Infectious Disease, Mylan
Anthony Egan SJ, professor of moral and political theology, St Augustine College, Johannesburg
Dr Mwayabo Jean Claude Kazadi, global senior technical advisor-HIV & HSS, PIQA, Catholic Relief Service
Moderator: Msgr. Robert Vitillo, secretary general, International Catholic Migration Commission

Sunday, 17 July: 9:30-10:30 am

Dialogue Plenary

Speakers include:

Rev JP Mokgethi-Heath, policy advisor on HIV and theology, Church of Sweden
Imam Muhsin Hendricks, Imam and executive director, The Inner Circle
Dr Asavari Herwadkar, director, Ojus Medical Institute (OMI), Mumbai - India
Ms Azza Karam, senior advisor, Multi-Lateral Affairs Branch, UN Population Fund (UNFPA); coordinator, UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Religion and Development
Ms Linda Mafu, head of Civil Society and Political Advocacy at the Global Fund
Ms Benter Adhiambo Ooko, YWCA Kenya
Moderator: Mr Julian Hows, Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+)

Sunday, 17 July: 3:30 – 5:00 pm

Closing Plenary - Faith on the Fast Track - Faith Communities Recommit

Speakers include:

Rev Edwin Sanders – senior servant and founder, Metropolitan Interdenominational Church, Nashville Tennessee, USA
Ms Melodie Jongwe - YWCA Zambia
Dr Manoj Kurian, coordinator, World Council of Churches – Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance
Dr Ulrich Nitschke, head of Sector Program Values, Religion and Development, head of PaRD Secretariat/International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development
Ms Sally Smith, senior adviser UNAIDS, Community Mobilization, FBOs
Rev Phumzile Mabizela – executive director INERELA+
Moderator: Dr. Jill Olivier, senior lecturer & research coordinator, University of Cape Town; Health Policy and Systems Division, School of Public Health and Family Medicine

Please click to download the full Faith on the Fast Track Programme (pdf, 195 KB).

The interfaith pre-conference is being held at La Vita Conference Centre (Oceanic), 20 John McIntyre Rod, Snell Parade, Durban 4001.

For more information or to request interviews with faith-based representatives, please contact Sara Speicher, coordinator of the AIDS 2016 Ecumenical Media Team at [email protected], +44.7821.860.723 (until 15 July) or +27.71.206.3427 (15-22 July). Or contact Marianne Ejdersten, WCC director of communication, [email protected], +41.79.507.6363