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MEDIA ADVISORY
July 9, 2004
Faith-based groups optimistic that they will be heard at AIDS conference
BANGKOK – Faith will play a markedly stronger role at the International AIDS Conference, which begins here on July 11, than it did two years ago in Barcelona. Though churches and faith-based organizations are on the front lines worldwide caring for those who have been infected and affected by the virus, these organizations were underrepresented at the biannual conference in 2002. Christian humanitarian organization World Vision is optimistic that Bangkok will be different. The Bangkok planning committee included members of faith-based organizations, such as World Vision’s HIV/AIDS church relations advisor, Christo Greyling; more than 100 faith-based organizations will be represented at the conference. Greyling, a South African clergyman who is also HIV-positive, will be available in Bangkok to answer questions such as:
· What role does the church play in AIDS prevention and care?
· How are U.S. churches supporting their counterparts worldwide?
· How can the faith-based community engage groups with which it has major differences in the fight against AIDS?
· Does the media give the whole picture on AIDS, or does it under-represent the human and social costs of the virus?
WHO: Christo Greyling is World Vision’s HIV/AIDS church relations advisor in South Africa. A hemophiliac, Greyling tested positive for HIV while attending theological seminary in 1987. He publicly disclosed his HIV status in 1992, while serving as a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa. Greyling worked on the planning committee for the Bangkok conference, and was a presenter at the Barcelona conference.
WHEN: 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, July 11
WHERE: By phone from Bangkok
WHAT: The international humanitarian organization, World Vision, which has been tackling the AIDS issue on the ground since 1990, will have representatives in Bangkok as plenary speakers, workshop leaders and poster presenters.
CONTACT:
Amy Turner |
(253) 815-2386 (office) |
(888) 731-4654 (pager) |
Brian Peterson |
(407) 445-6484 (office) |
(407) 491-2399 (cell) |
END
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 http://www.worldvision.org/hope |
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