Working Group on Faith and HIV

In many parts of the world, religions are now at the heart of the response to HIV care. In sub-Saharan Africa, where health systems are inadequate and government responses weak, churches have picked up the slack. They are providing not only practical medical care, but spearheading remarkable community-based palliative care and counselling for the sick and dying, and fighting stigma...they are also, in some countries, leading the fight for access to drug treatment.
- quoted in ‘God’s children are dying of AIDS: Interfaith dialogue and HIV’, Christian Aid

Introduction
Faith communities play an essential role in shaping the public’s knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours. There have been a number of faith leaders and religious and FBOs with historical significance and influence on health and social issues, particularly in African communities.

Partnering with FBOs is important to achieve a comprehensive international HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support strategy that builds awareness, mobilizes communities, and reduces HIV-associated stigma. There are many examples where FBOs have taken the lead in providing outstanding HIV and AIDS programmes and services. There are however other examples of FBOs and faith leaders who engage in actions that contradict this comprehensive approach, which in turn encourages exclusion, stigma and discrimination.

Aim of the Working Group
To create a platform where faith-based groups and organisations working on faith, HIV and AIDS and its global impact can come together to develop strategies to engage with and influence the thinking and policies of religious organisations, leaders and development partners e.g. DFID, World Bank, Global Fund etc so that they appreciate the impact of faith on people living with, or affected by, HIV; strengthen positive effects and address negative consequences.

Objectives
- Explore and develop an understanding of the role of faith, faith-based organisations and communities in their response to HIV and AIDS throughout the world.

- Support our members in talking to our own faith communities, by providing a space in which we can share information, exchange effective approaches, and learn from one another’s successes and failures.

- Define a common agenda for engagement with development partners (starting with DfID), and influential religious leaders.

- Define further ways of involving Faith Groups in the UK as advocates with and for people living with HIV and AIDS.

- Encourage more faith communities to become welcoming communities of care for people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.

- Affirm and ensure the participation of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS in all faith and community activities and programmes.

Venue, time and frequency of meetings
The group will meet on a bi-monthly basis unless extra meetings are required and the date and time will be decided at the end of every meeting.

Current Organisational Members
CAFOD, Catholics for AIDS Prevention and Support (CAPS), Christian Aid, Christian HIV/AIDS Alliance, Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, Mildmay International, Progressio, Religions for Peace UK, Salvation Army, Samaritan's Purse, Strategies for Hope Trust, Tearfund, UNAIDS, World Vision

Becoming a Member
All Consortium members are welcome to join the working group. Membership is also open, by invitation, to non-member organisations that have experience in the thematic area, and wish to work with us, although we would encourage them to become members if at all possible. If you would like to become involved contact Sabrina Erné at: sabrina@aidsconsortium.org.uk or telephone 020 73244780