Initiative for a UN Decade of Interreligious Cooperation for Peace » Combat HIV/AIDS

The Role of Religious Communities in Addressing Gender-Based Violence and HIV

reymi — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:51:04 +0000

Futures Group International and Religions for Peace designed and implemented the project “The Role of Religious Communities in addressing gender-based violence and HIV”, sponsored by USAIDs. This project was planned considering that religious leaders are often key catalysts for positive and social change. The project has three components: regional training, national action plans and regional leadership forum. Training workshops were carried out in Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. The regional training in Kenya was funded by UNIFEM.

The Role of Religious Communities in Addressing GBV and HIV

Preventing and Healing Hiv / Aids : The Buddhist Response

Gerardo — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:54:00 +0000

In partnership with UNAIDS and within the framework of Buddha´s teachings and  ethics, the Sangha Metta Project covers an important education activity which consists of (a) teaching monks, nuns and novices about HIV/AIDS, equipping them with modern  participatory social management skills and tools to take part in HIV/AIDS  prevention and care at the community level, and (b) educating youth groups and raising their awareness on HIV/AIDS and narcotic.

Additionally, the Project covers other activities such as: home/community  visits to provide moral support, temple activities like meditation retreats,  milk bank for children orphaned or affected by HIV/AIDS, medicine bank, etc. Because the project gives monks a way to become actively involved in their  communities, it is spreading into other regions of Thailand (besides Chiang Mai) as well as neighboring countries such as Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia,  Vietnam, Southern China, and others.

Fighting Hiv / Aids Pandemic: The Religious Partners of UN Agencies

Gerardo — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:52:16 +0000

UNAIDS addresses the global AIDS response by bringing together in a concerted manner the efforts and resources of the following UN System Organizations: UNHCR, UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO, WFP, UNDP, UNODC, ILO, and The World Bank.

Considering that the communities of faiths play a significant role in influencing  people´s behavior and attitudes, and in providing health care and support for  HIV/AIDS infected people, UNAIDS prioritizes work at the global level with  large networks of FBOs and religious leaders, such as: African Network of  Religious Leaders living with or personally affected by AIDS, Caritas  International, Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, Christian Aid, Tear Fund, Islamic  Medical Association of Uganda, Positive Muslims, Islamic Relief, World  Conference on Religion and Peace, Sangha Metta Project, and Art of Living  Foundation.