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 MEDIA ADVISORY
July 7, 2004
Media contacts:
In Bangkok:
In the U.S.
World Vision and AIDS 2004 World Conference – Bangkok July 11-16
Leading Christian humanitarian organization mobilizes church,
Christian community, in fight against HIV/AIDS pandemic
World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. For more than a decade, AIDS has been the single greatest cause of poverty and suffering in many African communities where World Vision works. The 15th International AIDS Conference (IAC), taking place July 11 to 16 in Bangkok, will once again draw the world's attention to the AIDS pandemic. Several World Vision staff members have been influential on the IAC planning committee. Some are plenary speakers, while others are chairing abstract-driven sessions. At least 21 poster presentations will be made by World Vision delegates.
Questions and issues World Vision participants in Bangkok can address:
Across Africa, churches and faith-based organizations (FOBs) run medical facilities; their members care for people with AIDS, as well as the children left behind. Yet FBOs were uner-represented at the 2002 Barcelona IAC; some who attended faced hostility. Will Bangkok be different? World Vision is optimistic. The organizing committee for Bangkok have engaged FBOs in conference planning.
At least 14 million children - most of them in Africa - have been orphaned by AIDS. These children were all but ignored at Barcelona. World Vision, UNICEF, Save the Children and other child-advocacy groups are determined to see that doesn't happen in Bangkok. The plight of African children doesn't fit in with the political messaging of many of the activist groups with the loudest voices on AIDS; drug companies don't make money from orphans. Donor governments succumb to pressure from these constituents. In the U.S., World Vision is lobbying Congress and the Administration that programs for OVC receive fully 10 percent of the $15 billion promised under President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
The United Nations announced recently that AIDS is spreading quickly among young married women - despite their being faithful to their husbands. In Africa and elsewhere, the burden of AIDS - caring for the sick and the orphans - falls heavily on women. Can it be turned around? In Uganda, a rare AIDS success story, prevention stressing faithfulness to one's spouse actually raised the status of women.
Asia is the new battleground for AIDS. The Southeast Asian countries of Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand have been fighting the epidemic for more than a decade, with mixed success; a new international highway network in the region threatens to spread the disease, along with commerce. Can it be contained in Asia before we see death and destruction at the same levels we are seeing in Africa? How is the Asian face of AIDS different from that of Africa? President Bush recently announced Vietnam will be the first Asian country included in the $15 billion Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
World Vision staff participating in the 2004 International AIDS Conference include:
Christo Greyling, Regional HIV/AIDS and Church Relations Advisor, Africa
As World Vision’s HIV/AIDS and church-relations advisor for Africa, Rev. Christo Greyling works to mobilize African churches to participate in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and trains facilitators for workshops designed to do the same. Greyling, a hemophiliac, tested positive for HIV in 1987. After serving as a minister in South Africa’s Dutch Reformed Church, Greyling hosted a radio program about HIV/AIDS. Greyling holds a bachelor’s degree in theology and a post-graduate diploma in public health. He has finished work on a master’s degree in public heath.
Martha Holley-Newsome, Orphans and Vulnerable Children Director, Africa
As director of programs for orphans and vulnerable children in the African region, Martha Holley Newsome leads World Vision programs aimed at helping children who have been orphaned or made vulnerable by the AIDS epidemic. Newsome has served as World Vision’s health director and country director in Mozambique. She also served as a child survival and primary health care manager. Newsome holds a bachelor’s degree in social science from Wheaton College and a master of public health degree from Johns Hopkins University.
Ethel Kaypepye, HIV/AIDS Coordinator, Malawi
As World Vision’s HIV/AIDS Coordinator in Malawi, Ethel Kapyepye provides leadership and coordination to develop World Vision’s HIV/AIDS programs throughout this southern African country. After serving as a registered nurse and midwife, Kapyepye has spent most of her career coordinating health programs for the United Nations, Save the Children and other organizations. Kapyepye holds a diploma in nursing, certificates in midwifery, adult education and district health care and a master’s degree in public health from the Royal Tropical Institute in the Netherlands.
Ramon Soto, Regional HIV/AIDS Advisor, Latin America and the Caribbean
As World Vision’s regional HIV/AIDS Advisor in Latin America and the Caribbean, Dr. Ramon Soto provides technical leadership to World Vision’s strategic response to the spread of HIV/AIDS in his region. Previously, Soto served with the Honduran Ministry of Health. He also has taught and pursued research related to HIV/AIDS epidemiology. Soto holds a medical doctor degree from the National Autonomous University of Honduras School of Medicine and a master of health sciences from Johns Hopkins University.
Sri Chander, Regional Health Advisor, Asia Pacific
As regional health advisor for World Vision's Asia Pacific region, Dr. Sri Chander oversees World Vision’s health policies and programs throughout Asia. He also works in collaboration with research centers and universities to conduct assessments of the vulnerabilities of mobile social groups to the spread of HIV/AIDS. Chander represents World Vision at conferences and to key partners. Prior to his current position, Chander served as a primary health care physician in India and Singapore, and as a medical officer at a refugee camp in Singapore.
Hector Jalipa, Regional HIV/AIDS Advisor, Africa
As World Vision’s regional HIV/AIDS advisor in Africa, Dr. Hector Jalipa leads World Vision’s AIDS programs on that continent. In addition to serving as chief of a small emergency hospital in the Philippines, Jalipa has overseen World Vision’s health programs in various countries. He consulted with other organizations in Angola and Somalia. Jalipa holds a bachelor’s degree from Silliman University in the Philippines, a doctor of medicine degree from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, and a master's degree in public health from Harvard University.
Doug Shaw, HIV/AIDS and Health Advisor, Cambodia
As World Vision’s HIV/AIDS and health advisor in Cambodia, Dr. Douglas Shaw provides technical support for World Vision’s HIV/AIDS and health projects. After practicing family medicine in Australia and England, Shaw served as senior medical officer focusing on treatment and control of sexually transmitted infections, and drug and alcohol problems in Australia. He holds a medical degree and a master’s degree in tropical health from the University of Queensland and a master’s degree from Open University in the United Kingdom.
Lynn Arnold, Regional Vice President, Asia Pacific
As regional vice president for World Vision’s work in Asia and the Pacific, Lynn Arnold oversees the implementation of more than 1,500 relief and development projects throughout Asia. Arnold served six years as president of World Vision in Australia. He also served as Australian premier and minister of education, minister of agriculture and minister of children’s services as well as member of the South Australian Parliament and the Australian Cabinet. He holds a Ph.D. and two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Adelaide.
Milton Amayun, Senior HIV/AIDS Program Representative
As World Vision’s HIV/AIDS program representative, Dr. Milton Amayun represents World Vision's HIV/AIDS Hope Initiative to donors for funding. Amayun has designed and implemented emergency health programs in Thailand, Somalia, Cambodia, Ethiopia, West Africa and Eastern Europe. Amayun also served as vice president of international programs for International Aid. He holds a bachelor's degree in zoology, a doctor of medicine degree from the University of the Philippines and a master of public health from Harvard University.
Ken Casey, Special Representative to the International President for the HIV/AIDS Hope Initiative
As special representative to the president for the HIV/AIDS Hope Initiative, Ken Casey oversees the strategic implementation of World Vision’s efforts to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS. Casey has served as World Vision’s senior vice president for ministry and resource development and as senior vice president for strategy, policy and planning. Casey also served as vice president for business affairs at Biola University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Southern California and did graduate work at Stanford and Biola Universities.
Founded in 1950, World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization, serving the world’s poorest children and families in nearly 100 countries. For more information, visit www.worldvision.org/AIDSinfo |
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