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More than 120 religious and spiritual leaders, health workers and young people met on 7-8 February to focus on strengthening the fight against stigma in the HIV response in Kenya. They were joined by representatives from the Kenyan government, civil society organizations, networks of people living with HIV, and development partners for an event in Nairobi. The meeting, “Faith on the Fast Track: Eliminating Stigma and Discrimination Through Love and Dialogue” aimed to assess the impact of the Framework for Dialogue methodology which has been implemented in several countries since 2013.

Plus de 120 responsables religieux et spirituels, travailleurs sanitaires et jeunes gens se sont réunis les 7 et 8 février derniers pour mettre l’accent sur le renforcement du combat mené contre la stigmatisation au titre de la riposte au VIH au Kenya. Des représentants du gouvernement kényan, d’organisations de la société civile, de réseaux de personnes vivant avec le VIH, ainsi que des partenaires de développement se sont joints à eux dans le cadre d’un événement à Nairobi. Axée sur le thème «Faith on the Fast Track: Eliminating Stigma and Discrimination Through Love and Dialogue» (La foi pour accélérer la riposte: éliminer la stigmatisation et la discrimination par l’amour et le dialogue), la réunion visait à évaluer l’impact de la méthodologie du «Framework for Dialogue» (Cadre pour le dialogue), une initiative mise en œuvre dans plusieurs pays depuis 2013. L’événement était organisé par INERELA+ Kenya (le Réseau international des responsables religieux vivant avec ou affectés par le VIH, Kenya) et l’EAA-COE (l’Alliance œcuménique «agir ensemble» du Conseil œcuménique des Églises), avec notamment l’appui du Programme commun des Nations Unies sur le VIH/sida (ONUSIDA).

The World Council of Churches - Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance applauds the first licensing agreement related to tuberculosis, announced on 25 January by the Medicines Patent Pool and Johns Hopkins University. The agreement will facilitate the clinical development of sutezolid, a tuberculosis drug candidate. The antibiotic sutezolid, in combination with other drugs, could be used to more effectively treat drug-sensitive and drug-resistant tuberculosis.

L'Alliance œcuménique «agir ensemble» du Conseil œcuménique des Églises (COE-EAA) applaudit le premier accord de licence concernant la tuberculose, annoncé le 25 janvier dernier par la communauté de brevet sur les médicaments, Medicines Patent Pool, et l'Université Johns Hopkins. L'accord facilitera le développement clinique du sutezolide, un médicament potentiel contre la tuberculose. L'antibiotique sutezolide, en combinaison avec d'autres médicaments, pourrait être utilisé pour traiter plus efficacement la tuberculose, réactive et résistante aux médicaments.

“I have been tested for HIV,” said Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the WCC, who received his test while traveling in Oslo, Norway, as a demonstration of his support for the WCC campaign “Leading by Example: Religious Leaders and HIV Testing,” launched at events observing World AIDS Day - 1 December - at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland.

Religious leaders are getting tested for HIV in hopes of inspiring others across the world to seek testing, too. Increasing the number of people receiving HIV testing is vitally important in the effort to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

While meeting in Nanjing and Shanghai, China, from 17-23 November, the WCC Executive Committee issued a statement on climate justice that reiterates the urgent concerns of churches in relation to climate change, and calls on all states to fulfill the commitments of the Paris Agreement.

Réuni à Nanjing et Shanghai, en Chine, du 17 au 23 novembre, le Comité exécutif du Conseil œcuménique des Églises a publié une déclaration sur la justice climatique dans laquelle il réitère sa vive inquiétude concernant les changements climatiques, et appelle tous les États à respecter les engagements de l’Accord de Paris.

”We are here to listen. To learn what others do, so we can contextualize our understanding of HIV issues, and journey together in our work ahead. Because on HIV, we do not compete. We work together.”

Peasant seed systems, which have fed most of the world’s population for centuries, are endangered by the imposition of intellectual property rights and patents, says a church-backed campaign.

“Is there a way we can address stigma and discrimination among faith communities, to set an example, so that those who are there to provide services, to give care, do not themselves stigmatize? Because when it comes to HIV and AIDS, it doesn’t matter if we are Christians or Muslims, women or men. With HIV and AIDS, we need to deal with it as human beings.”

«Existe-t-il un moyen d’agir contre la stigmatisation et la discrimination au sein des communautés religieuses, pour montrer l’exemple, afin que celles et ceux qui sont là pour rendre service et prodiguer des soins ne stigmatisent pas les personnes malades? Car lorsqu’il s’agit de lutter contre le VIH et le sida, peu importe que l’on soit chrétien ou musulman, femme ou homme, nous devons agir en tant qu’êtres humains.»

“Rejoice and share the sacred gift of food with all.” That’s just one of the “Ten Commandments of Food” proposed by WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit as he called upon people to change their behavior and take action in both small and large ways.

“Dignity, Freedom, and Grace: Christian Perspectives on HIV, AIDS and Human Rights,” a book published earlier this year by the WCC, will be among reports discussed at a 20 September event with the theme “Keeping the Faith in Development: Gender, Religions & Heath.”

Being open about living with HIV can still be daunting and damaging, even some 30 years into the response to the virus. The pernicious stigma that cleaves to testing positive, remains one of the main barriers to a truly effective response. While billions of dollars have been spent over the last few decades to tackle HIV and AIDS scientifically and medically, with huge gains in prevention and treatment, social and cultural barriers still remain in what is the greatest epidemic in modern history.

To help the world’s children become HIV-free, faith groups must help bring UN goals to life through strong advocacy, rapid action and unprecedented collaboration, say experts. Children must be helped onto a “Super Fast Track” to end AIDS or they will die at what Dr Stuart Kean describes as a “shocking” rate.

The 21st International AIDS Conference, which concluded July 22, had its normal dose of science speak, with seminars and workshops ranging from new vaccine trials to the testing of a vaginal ring that appears to dramatically lower the risk of HIV infection in women.

People of faith and representatives of faith-based organizations demonstrated their commitment to meet the “Fast Track” challenges to end the AIDS epidemic at the 21st International AIDS Conference in Durban, 18-22 July. Extensive coverage of faith-based participation is available via www.iacfaith.org. Articles, video and photos will continue to be added.

Prince Harry, Elton John, Charlize Theron, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, Bill Gates – royalty, celebrities, religious leaders and philanthropists joined scientists, politicians, health workers, and activists – all of whom include people of faith – at the 21st International AIDS Conference in Durban. At a time when “AIDS fatigue” deepens, affecting funding, awareness and capacity to respond, the stars help to put a media spotlight on the many challenges and injustices that remain.

Le prince Harry, Elton John, Charlize Theron, l’archevêque Thabo Makgoba, Bill Gates – des princes, des célébrités, des responsables religieux et des philanthropes se sont joints aux chercheurs, aux personnalités politiques, aux professionnels de la santé et aux militants – dont certains sont religieux – lors de la 21e Conférence internationale sur le sida à Durban.