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Christian Conference of Asia
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About CCA
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CCA Joins the “Getting to Zero” CampaignThe Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) joins the World AIDS Day observance on December 1st or nearest Sunday following and calls on Member Churches, Councils of Churches and the Interfaith Communities in Asia to work towards the Global Goal of “Getting to Zero” – Zero Discrimination; Zero New HIV Infection; and Zero AIDS-Related Deaths. CCA commits to support the Global Plan to Eliminate New HIV Infections among Children and to Keep the Parents Healthy and Alive. In addition, CCA supports the campaign for Zero Gender-Based Violence. Gender inequality is at the centre of gender-based violence which is a pervasive public health and human rights issue. The active response to HIV and AIDS cuts across fair and respectful relationships, human sexuality, gender justice, human rights and universal access. For three decades now, HIV has continued to spread across all levels of Asian societies, creating stigma and discrimination that is fuelled by ignorance, injustice, denial and hate. All of these are against the teachings of the different faiths in Asia. HIV and AIDS is not just a health issue; rather it is a socio-cultural and development issue closely related to poverty, gender inequity, low level of literacy and lack of knowledge about prevention. HIV is also spread through unprotected sex, unsafe blood or sharing needle. The UN AIDS reported at the end of 2010 that almost 5 million people are living with HIV in South, East and South-east Asia. Although national HIV prevalence in most Asian countries is relatively low and there are progress made in prevention, the population of some countries like China, India and Indonesia is so vast that these low percentages actually represent very large numbers of PLHIV+. Each country and even within countries in Asia face a different concentration of epidemic. In 2009 across East, South and South-East Asia, only 32% of HIV-infected pregnant women received AntiRetroViral (ARV) treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. HIV infection in Asia is still largely concentrated among members of 'high-risk' groups. The groups most at risk of becoming infected – sex workers, IDUs, and those who engage in sex between men – are still too often being neglected and even criminalized in some countries in Asia. The ministries of the Churches need to address vulnerable children, orphan children, elderly, young people, women, men and key affected populations. CCA supports the meaningful involvement of People Living with HIV (PLHIV+) and the creation of safe spaces for dialogue with Key Affected Populations. CCA is committed to collaborate with the Asian Interfaith Network on AIDS (AINA), the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA), the International Network of Religious Leaders Living with and Personally Affected by HIV and AIDS (INERELA+) and the World Council of Churches (WCC) in meeting the challenge of HIV and AIDS. CCA’s policy on HIV and AIDS seeks to act from deep spirituality and theology: loving others as oneself (John 13: 34-35); serving the least of our brothers and sisters (Matthew 25: 31-40); seeing the whole community as part of one body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12;12); nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8: 35); Jesus came that we may have life in all its fullness (John 10: 10). Jesus also clearly mentioned the, “other sheep” in John 10:16a and the Church needs to look into the response to these people of God as well. This policy on HIV is built on the Christian principles of peacemaking, healing and reconciliation, and aims to equip churches in Asia to be “HIV competent”. This year, CCA started the seminars on building HIV Competent Churches in Myanmar, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Philippines, and Thailand. In addition, churches sent representatives from Laos PDR, Indonesia and Vietnam to participate in the Training of Trainers for Building HIV Competent Churches in Myanmar. India developed its HIV Policy in 2008 and started integrating HIV in theological training. CCA commends Member Councils in Indonesia and the Philippines for developing their HIV Policy this year. CCA also contributes to strengthening interfaith collaboration through sponsoring the Pre International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific Interfaith Conference in Busan in August and the follow-up program in Cambodia. CCA endorses the SAVE toolkit on Prevention of HIV as it does not stigmatize PLHIV+. CCA through the Member Churches and Councils of Churches is committed to ensure stewardship of time, resources and finances in support of the Global Goal of Getting to Zero. Together, we can do more. “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matt. 25.40, NRSV) Henriette Hutabarat Lebang General Secretary posted by cbs on Friday, December 02, 2011 |
