Fulfilling the Personal Commitment

“Together We Must Do More”

Action and Accountability

• Personal commitment comes with timeline for reporting every 18 months

• Religious leaders accountable to each other

• Provides a snapshot of actions

“The March commitment was very important as it was a very public act of commitment to other faith leaders

in the world that I remember when I am tempted to say I have too much to do.”

Who signed

• 39 signed at Summit in the Netherlands

• 429 signed afterwards

• At least 50 different countries in all regions

Summary of Activities

33 reports

Activities in 35 countries

• Religious communities: 45 activities from 23 leaders

• Networks and organizations: 27 activities from 19 leaders

• Young people: 19 activities from 10 leaders

• People living with HIV: 17 activities from 9 leaders

• Women and girls: 9 activities from 6 leaders

• Children: 7 activities from 6 leaders

• Men and boys: no activities

Interlinking issues

• Education/awareness raising (42)

• Advocacy (15)

• Prevention/sexuality (12)

• Partnerships (9)

• Worship/religious resources (8)

• Stigma and discrimination/human rights/dignity (7)

• Support (6)

• Access to treatment (5)

• Financial resources (raising and advocacy) (5)

• Media (5)

• Spiritual care (3)

Challenges

• Ongoing presence of stigma

• Underlying issues

• Funding and capacity

Opportunities

• Openness

• Interest

• Timing

• Focus on dignity

• Listening

• Breaking the silence

Recommendations

• Take at least small steps

Speak

Model

Use familiar language

Build on what is good

“Start somewhere”

Recommendations

•Take at least small steps

•Listen

“We need to continue to create space for sensitive discussions.”

Recommendations

•Take at least small steps

•Listen

•Give leadership to the most affected

“By naming the vulnerable groups [MSM, CSW, IDU) we gave them the dignity of their identities.

Only in this way can we reach out and hope to affect behavior and thereby prevent the further

spread of the epidemic.”

Recommendations

• Take at least small steps

• Listen

• Give leadership to the most affected

• Make links – issues, people, organizations

“Commitment in challenging the realities around HIV and AIDS is not for the

fainthearted.”

Recommendations

• Take at least small steps

• Listen

• Give leadership to the most affected

• Make links – issues, people, organizations

• Develop structures and support

“You cannot do HIV work alone.”

The Difference It Has Made

• More visible efforts

• Increased confidence (as individuals and as communities)

• More learning

• Enhanced spirit of solidarity

• Realization of being a model for ministry

• Communities feeling they can make a difference

“I am starting to feel that because I went to the conference and signed the personal commitment, it opened my eyes

and ears more to what God’s people were saying.”

Reflections

• As religious leaders, in what ways have we together fulfilled the personal commitment and aims of the Summit?

• In looking at our actions, what are our strengths as religious leaders and what gaps still exist in our response?

• How can we strengthen religious leadership in response to HIV?