Since the 15th International AIDS Conference held in Bangkok last month, more faith groups and aid agencies worldwide have been awakened to take action against the spread of AIDS. As one of the most influential leaders of faith, the Anglican Communion has a very much visible presence in combating AIDS, as reported by the communion.

The journey of how the worldwide Anglicans respond to AIDS has been presented in a VCD called “Our Church Has AIDS: Anglican Church Responds Worldwide” launched during the AIDS conference in Bangkok. The VCD is produced by St John’s Cathedral HIV Education Centre in Hong Kong. The Centre is the only faith-based institution in Hong Kong working in the HIV/AIDS area, and is a leader in this field in Asia.

The VCD uses the resources of the Anglican Communion, including those from the Province of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui, the Church of the Province of Southern Africa, the Mothers’ Union, the Anglican Board of Mission Australia and the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (USPG) London.

Staff from the HIV education centre has had a great contribution in the conference. A booth was organised by four staff, displaying resources produced by the HIV Education Centre and their international partners. More than 13,000 people came to the display booth to ask questions, and receive a copy of the VCD.

Workshops entitled “A Celebration of Life” are presented by Ms Elijah Fung, the Manager of the St John’s HIV/AIDS Education Centre and Ms Debby Lai, the Centre’s Project Development Officer. The workshop showed how the HIV Education Centre utilised drama, songs, and dance amongst migrant workers in Hong Kong in the education of safe sex and HIV/AIDS. In the light of discrimination towards HIV/AIDS discussion, they also gave a presentation about the stigma and discrimination of Hong Kong clergy when faced with the issue of talking about HIV/AIDS.

“Global Village Spiritual Zone” where religious communities came together for worship and to exchange ideas was also set up. The other venue was the “Inter-Faith Corner”, again a place where people could come, meet, discuss and receive resources from faith communities around the globe.

The effort of the Anglicans proved to be very successful. Through networking and open discussion, some of the barriers have come down. They have also showed good witness for those who blame the church for its reluctance in the HIV/AIDS issues.

The Anglican Communion commented that “this is the first International AIDS Conference that has given prominence to faith communities and religious leaders working to combat the AIDS pandemic. It is also the first time that the Anglican Communion has had such a presence at the conference.”