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Christian Conference of Asia
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WORLD AIDS DAY1 December 2012
World AIDS
Day (2011-15)
Getting to
zero:
Zero new
HIV infections.
Zero
discrimination.
Zero AIDS
related deaths.
“The sun finds a way
to shine into even the deepest parts of the forest.”
It is a metaphor for
all of us who are working to restore,
Hope and dignity around
the world
In the history of the
AIDS response there have been, and still exist,
Many obstacles to
overcome, but our path is clear—
We work together to
get results for all people.
To the millions who have
come together with compassion and determination,
On this World AIDS Day
we say,
your blood, sweat and
tears are changing the world.
Results are
accelerating
There were more than
700 000 fewer new HIV infections globally in 2011 than in 2001. Africa has cut
AIDS-related deaths by one third in the past six years.
And as services have
been scaled up, uptake has followed. In fact, what had taken a decade before is
now being achieved in 24 months.
In the past two years_________
There has been a 60%
increase in the number of people accessing
Life-saving treatment—
8 million people are on
antiretroviral therapy.
In most parts of the
world we have seen a reduction in new HIV infections
among young people.
We have a special
message to you. We can all see by the results that
You already are “The change we want to see in the world”.
We want to know more
about your aspirations and dreams. We urge you to continue to engage and
lead—and we are counting on you to use your youth as best as you possibly can.
As we enter into the final years of working towards the Millennium Development
Goals and the United Nations Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS,
Much remains to be
done to reach our targets.
Treatment has not yet
reached 7 million people.
We have three years to
eliminate all new HIV infections among children.
The people who are most
affected by HIV
Still experience
marginalization and exclusion.
The results we have
seen show us that the momentum of our collective
Political will and
follow through can overcome the biggest of obstacles and challenges—
even the shortness of
time.
It shows us that with
our steadfast determination and compassion—that
Invisible cord that
binds us to other human beings regardless of race,
Gender, personal
status, religion or national borders—
We can get results for
all people.
Michel Sidibé
UNAIDS Executive
Director
UN WORLD AIDS DAY
REPORT 2012
Moving From
Despair to Hope: A Reason to Cheer
A new World AIDS Day report: Results, by the Joint United Nations
Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), shows that unprecedented acceleration in the
AIDS response is producing results for people. The report shows that a more
than 50% reduction in the rate of new HIV infections has been achieved across
25 low- and middle-income countries––more than half in Africa, the region most
affected by HIV.
In some of the
countries which have the highest HIV prevalence in the world, rates of new HIV
infections have been cut dramatically since 2001; by 73% in Malawi, 71% in
Botswana, 68% in Namibia, 58% in Zambia, 50% in Zimbabwe and 41% in South
Africa and Swaziland.
Declining new HIV
infections in children
The area where perhaps
most progress is being made is in reducing new HIV infections in children. Half
of the global reductions in new HIV infections in the last two years have been
among newborn children. “It is becoming evident that achieving zero new HIV
infections in children is possible,” said Mr Sidibé. “I am excited that far
fewer babies are being born with HIV.
A Moment in Prayer
As we come together to
reflect and pray for people infected and affected with HIV and AIDS we have a
lot to be happy about when we hear that the occurrence is falling by 50%.
Yet more has to be
done. Let us keep praying to achieve the goals of “Getting to Zero
Here is an excerpt from:
St. John's Cathedral HIV Education Centre, Hong Kong
World AIDS Day
Theme: “GETTING TO ZERO”
INTERCESSORY PRAYERS:
God our loving Father,
your son Jesus chose to be vulnerable in order to understand and identify
himself with us. We are wounded in many ways and we implore you to heal us and
make us healers with you, to help heal our broken world.
All: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Thank you God, for this
time of Advent, when we remember the incarnation of your Son,
Jesus Christ. As we
think of the coming of the child Jesus, we prayer for babies, boys and girls
who are living with HIV. We remember the millions of children orphaned by AIDS,
who are too often left to look after their own brothers and sisters, their own
education and their own homes.
All: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the leaders
of the nations and for all faith leaders. Give them courage and strength to
take a lead in working to prevent the further spread of HIV and to care for
those affected.
(Especially we pray for….)
All: Lord in
your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for young people, in their vitality and idealism. Bless them
with good friends to help them accept themselves in all their vulnerability and
challenge them with high ideals.
(Especially we pray for….)
All: Lord
in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who are sick and in pain, especially those affected
by HIV/AIDS; may they experience your love through each one of us; may they
find meaning and purpose in their lives and inspire others who suffer.
(Especially we pray for….)
All: Lord
in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who
are sick and in pain, especially those affected by HIV/AIDS; may they
experience your love through each one of us; may they find meaning and purpose
in their lives and inspire others who suffer.
(Especially we pray for ….)
All: Lord
in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who
work for development and justice; may they not be discouraged as they struggle
to create a healthier world.
(Especially we pray for ….)
All: Lord
in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, we thank you that
you have made all of us in your own image and likeness. Help us to be sensitive
to one another and to build healthy and caring communities in your world. We
ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
posted by communications on Saturday, December 01, 2012 |
