Statement from the Rev. William G. Sinkford, UUA President, on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2005

Bill Sinkford; Meredith Schonfeld-Hicks, UUWF Clara Barton Legislative Assistant for Women's Issues; and David Gartner, Policy Director for the Global AIDS Alliance, after a December 1 meeting in Washington, DC, to discuss how the UUA can be most effective in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Photo by Rob Keithan/UUA.

HIV/AIDS is a disease that now infects more than forty million men, women and children around the world. Confronting this health crisis often times seems overwhelming, but observing World AIDS Day can revitalize our work and renew our hope. It is a day to commemorate friends and loved ones lost to AIDS, to reflect on what we have learned, and to celebrate our progress. This year's theme, "Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise," encourages governments and international institutions to meet their commitments in the global fight against AIDS. And it is a day to acknowledge the unfortunate fact that the United States has not kept faith with its responsibilities as a leader in the global community.

Today is also a day to take action. "Keeping the Promise" requires us as individuals – and as a community of faith – to take responsibility to be part of the solution.

We can educate ourselves and others, keeping in mind the importance of putting a human face on the suffering. In the face of grim statistics about infection rates, particularly in Africa, it is easy to distance ourselves emotionally from the human reality of the suffering, but our commitment to gender and racial justice, and to the inherent worth of every person, calls us to confront what we know to be true: that people are suffering, that the circumstances are dire, and that our action can make a difference.

Below you will find information from our UUA Washington Office and a place where you can take action immediately. I encourage you to take a few minutes to learn more about what you can do – and then to do it. I have.

The global AIDS crisis can seem overwhelming at times, but events such as  World AIDS Day remind us that we need not – and indeed cannot – face these challenges alone. In loving memory of all those we have lost, may we find renewed commitment and hope for stopping this deadly disease.

Additional information from the UUA Washington Office for Advocacy:

Despite pledges to dedicate substantial funding to HIV/AIDS prevention work, President Bush and Congress have consistently failed to do. President Bush's proposed 2006 budget cuts US contributions to the Global AIDS Fund – currently the most effective international tool for HIV/AIDS prevention – by 31%. You can take action to restore this funding through the Stop Global AIDS campaign .

A group of organizations including the Global AIDS Alliance has produced an excellent 10-page action kit  focused on getting an emergency appropriation of $150 million for the Global AIDS fund. It contains excellent background and current policy information on the Global Fund.

UUA President and Congregations Mark Global AIDS Day with Witness and Action

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