Anglican Communion News Service - Digest News

On the eve of a UN high level meeting on HIV and AIDS to be held in New York from tomorrow (May 31), Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Njongonkulu Ndungane, has called HIV and AIDS a 'global emergency'. In response to reported bickering between different government representatives and between governments and civil society organisations over the wording of a political declaration on the disease, the Archbishop has called for urgent action.

'There is no time for wrangling over the wording of a political declaration when every minute of every day a child dies of AIDS and a child becomes infected with AIDS. Words, words, words won't help us in our fight against the pandemic. Now is the time for action. As Bono once put it: 'God is on his knees for us to act',' says the Archbishop.

'There are three things we need to do':

Firstly we need to develop a comprehensive, holistic and integrated approach by all stakeholders in dealing with the pandemic. We need multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral strategies in our fight against the pandemic.

Secondly we need constructive and creative partnerships between governments, the private sector and the broad church of civil society organisations including faith communities. 

And thirdly we need a huge resource mobilisation in order to curtail the spread of the pandemic. Our ultimate objective is a generation without Aids.  We believe that this is a real achievable possibility.  We can do this through developing appropriate programmes that target young people, women and children and help create sustainable livelihoods among communities, especially the poor.

The pandemic is too big an issue for petty jealousies about what others are doing and possessiveness from any sector,' says Archbishop Ndungane.

The Review of the Declaration of Commitments on HIV and AIDS will be held in New York from May 31 to June 2. Participants from governments and civil society organisations will discuss concerns and experiences both formally and informally. The formal civil society hearing will be held at the UN tomorrow (Wednesday May 31).

For further information, please contact Penny Lorimer, Media Liaison for Archbishop Ndungane on 0027 (0)82 894-1522.