November 9, 2009

World AIDS Day is celebrated Dec. 1 each year. The World Health Organization established World AIDS Day in 1988 to provide an opportunity to raise awareness and focus attention on the global AIDS epidemic through special programs. The 2009 theme is “Universal Access & Human Rights.”

World AIDS Day materials are posted on the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund website. World AIDS Day 2009 is listed in the right hand column.

The United Methodist Global AIDS Fund represents the commitment of the denomination to put a stop to HIV & AIDS. Its $8 million goal represents a $1 commitment of every United Methodist in the United States. The fund supports education, prevention and treatment programs for people living with HIV & AIDS. The plan specifies that 25% of what each annual conference raises should be used in that conference for AIDS work, either locally or in global projects.

Educational toolkit

“Traditionally, World AIDS Day is held on Dec. 1,” explained Linda Bales Todd, director of the United Methodist General Board of Church & Society’s Louise & Hugh Moore Population Project, “but flexibility in the dates is absolutely okay. It’s important to ensure some kind of focus on this issue happens. Also make sure to promote the UMC Global AIDS Fund in whatever you do.”

A “hot-off-the-press educational toolkit” is available on the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund website, according to Todd. She said General Board of Global Ministries staff and many others worked diligently to develop this excellent resource.

The downloadable kit, “Working Toward an AIDS-Free World: An Educational Kit for United Methodist Churches,” includes resources and information to educate congregations and their communities about HIV and AIDS. The toolkit includes: the ABC’s of AIDS, myths and facts about HIV and AIDS, global and jurisdictional HIV statistics, PowerPoint presentations, surveys, worship resources, and much more to help strengthen a local church’s AIDS ministry.

New World Outlook

New World Outlook, the United Methodist mission magazine, has devoted its November/December issue to Global AIDS Fund. The issue provides a worldwide tour of efforts to confront the HIV & AIDS pandemic. Articles have been written by many sources, including Donald Messer, chair of the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund Committee, missionaries and United Methodist Committee on Relief staff. The issue also contains bulletin inserts.

Todd pointed out that President Obama recently announced the end of the discriminatory U.S. HIV Travel Ban. On Nov. 2, the president issued a rule to end the restriction of people living with AIDS entering the United States.

“Twenty-two years ago, in a decision rooted in fear rather than fact, the United States instituted a travel ban on entry into the country for people living with HIV/AIDS,” Obama said. “Now, we talk about reducing the stigma of this disease — yet we've treated a visitor living with it as a threat. We lead the world when it comes to helping stem the AIDS pandemic, yet we are one of only a dozen countries that still bar people from HIV from entering our own country. If we want to be the global leader in combating HIV/AIDS, we need to act like it.”

“Starting in 2010, people living with HIV will no longer be barred from coming into the United States,” Todd said, “no longer turned away at our borders, no longer forced to hide their condition and interrupt medical treatment, no longer treated by our government with contempt. This is something to celebrate.”

A third “Lighten the Burden” conference, which focuses on HIV & AIDS, has been scheduled. It will be in Dallas, Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. Todd suggested placing the conference on your calendar.

World AIDS Day materials are also available from UNAIDS, GBCS and GBGM.

HIV & AIDS Action Network

Todd supervises an HIV & AIDS Action Network that provides legislative updates, educational resources and identifies opportunities to act on issues. She issues “action alerts” periodically through e-mail.

Joining the HIV & AIDS Action Network is free: go to umpower.org or click on My GBCS on the General Board of Church & Society Web site, www.umc-gtbcs.org. You can also contact Donna Brandyberry, (202) 488-5641.

Linda Bales Todd can be reached at (202) 488-5649.