Delegates pray at the second United Methodist-sponsored AIDS conference, held in Zimbabwe. Photo/GBGM

More than eighty young adults from Zimbabwe and neighboring regions gathered at Chinhoyl Technical Teacher's College in Zimbabwe, August 20-25 for a conference on AIDS, with the theme of "HIV/AIDS: Youth's Challenge in the New Millennium." This second United Methodist-sponsored AIDS event evolved out of request of youth who had attended the earlier church-wide conference in January 2000. Consensus among the young people was that there was need for a forum where more of their voices, the population more affected by the HIV/AIDS virus, could be heard.

Sanctioned by Bishop Christopher Jokomo, episcopal leader of the Zimbabwe Annual Conference, and undergirded by the General Board of Global Ministries, mission agency of The United Methodist Church-- this event provided opportunity for youth to dialogue with church leadership, government officials, and health professionals about HIV infections and AIDS for the first time in a peer setting.

Different approaches to the HIV/AIDS crisis were discussed including abstinence, prevention and fidelity. There were specific workshops on:

• How Peer Pressure Affects Decision-Making

• Campaigns Against Child Abuse

• Community Home Based Care

• Handling Bereavement and Grief

• Relating to People with HIV/AIDS

Keynote speaker was Dr. Randolph Nugent, General Secretary of Global Ministries, who applauded youth of the conference for their foresight in calling for what he described as "an event of major significance." He also praised Bishop Jokomo for his vision in facing head-on, a disease that is ravaging the country--and thanked him for his support of youth in this initiative.

Additional Global Ministries leadership came from the Rev. Paul Dirdak, Deputy General Secretary for United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) who was among Bible Study leaders; and Ms. Betty Gittens, Executive Secretary for Congregational Health Ministries, who assisted African leadership with planning of the event.

Along with daily Bible Study and workshops there was drama, singing, and fervent prayer. A time of rich fellowship, the conference brought a sense of renewal and hope to African youth of the church. The gathering fulfilled its goal of broadening their understanding about AIDS/HIV and equipped them to return to their communities to teach others.

October 2, 2000

See also:
General Secretary of GBGM Praises Zimbabwe Youth Initiative on HIV/AIDS, by Brenda Wilkinson