PETITION CLOSED

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Faith communities Ask Pres Zuma to Speak Out for Renewed Commitment to HIV Targets at UNGASS
  1. Signatures
    38 out of 1,000
    Petitioning
    1. President of South Africa (President J Zuma)
  2. Created By
    Lyn van Rooyen
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

 

In 2011, world governments are reviewing the progress made in the HIV response over the last ten years, particularly the implementation of commitments made in UN Declarations in 2001 and 2006. Although much has been achieved, many of the goals of previous declarations have not been met.

A key outcome of the review will be a new declaration that is expected to be formally adopted by
governments at a High-Level Meeting in New York on 8-10 June.(1)

Faith communities share the concern that the global economic crisis, the perception that HIV is no longer
a major problem and other global challenges might cause a shift of focus away from HIV.

In a recent Letter to Partners 2011: UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé wrote: “World leaders
gathering in New York for the General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS carry the responsibility of
renewing hope and re-energizing the AIDS movement. The promises they make and words they speak at this meeting will define tomorrow’s agenda. Together, we can make this the defining decade, the decade that signals the beginning of the end of AIDS.....This is a time to scale up, not scale down.”(2)

On AIDS Candlelight Memorial Sunday, CABSA asked faith communities to pray
(http://www.cabsa.org.za/content/call-pray-un-high-level-meeting-aids-candlelight-memorial-sunday-may-2011 ) specifically for this important meeting, for the leaders as they prepare, and for wisdom and insight as they make their decisions.

CABSA partners, Fontainebleau Community Church decided to invite congregants to sign a letter to President Jacob Zuma and the South African delegation to UNGASS. On 15 May 2011 205 church members signed letters to the president during the morning service. CABSA and FCC would like to invite fellow believers all over South Africa and in other parts of the world to be part of this.

You can read more about UNGASS 2011, find news reports and access background documents on the CABSA website at http://www.cabsa.org.za/content/ungass-2011

1. Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance: UN Review on AIDS 2011: Talking Points for National Advocacy by
Religious Leaders and Faith-Based Organizations :
2. Letter to Partners 2011: UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé

Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures

Speak Out for Renewed Commitment to HIV Targets at UNGASS

Mr President

Together with fellow-believers of Fontainebleau Community Church, and with many other religious and
non-religious people involved in the response on HIV and AIDS I call on you to use your influence and to
speak out in favour of a renewed focus on the challenges that HIV and AIDS pose to the world community, and local communities alike.

We ask you to speak out in favour of support and funding for programs and activities that focus on
prevention of further infections and that make treatment available to all people living with HIV and AIDS.
This should include those who are poor and who cannot afford medical aid, as well as orphans, women and other vulnerable groups.

Regards
Lyn van Rooyen
CARIS - Christian AIDS Resource and Information Service
A Programme of CABSA - www.cabsa.org.za
PO Box 771417, Fontainebleau, 2032, South Africa

Tel +27 (0)11 796-6830
Fax 086 529-5031 (SA only) Fax: +27 (0)11 796 6810
Mobile: +27 (0)83 293 7163

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