World AIDS Day 1999

Listen, Learn, Live! World AIDS Campaign with Young People

Worldwide, more than half of all people who become infected with the human immunodeficiency virus -- HIV-- acquire the virus when they are under 25 years old. It is tragic that HIV should single out a youthful and otherwise relatively healthy population group.

Along with others throughout the world, United Methodists observe World AIDS Day. These pages provide both general AIDS resources in addition to spiritual resources. Worship resources are here.

Resources from the United Nations

On This Web Site

• Listen, Learn, Live! World AIDS Campaign with Young People.
• Campaign Key Issues and Ideas for Action: This framework document outlines the overall goal and objectives of the 1999 campaign and serves as a guide for action.
• Statistical Maps and Charts: Graphics detailing the devastation caused by HIV/SIDA worldwide
• More Resources for 1999 from UNAIDS (English).

On Other Web Sites

• HIV/AIDS Quiz for Young People: UNICEF
• Impact of Armed Conflict on Children: Report of Graça Machel, Expert of the Secretary-General of the United Nations
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948

Stories About Young People and AIDS

Africa

• AIDS Epidemic Leaves Half-million Orphans in Zambia, UMNS, August 6, 1999
  The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Zambia has so devastated the family structure that the southern African country now has half a million orphans, with their numbers expected to double by the year 2010.
• Children in War Situations by Brenda Wilkinson, GBGM, August 31, 1999
  The issue of "the targeting of children in warfare" is one which the Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church has focused on for many years.
• Church Battles Zimbabwe's Worst Problems, UMNS News Feature, February 12, 1999
  The church is active on many fronts, preaching the Gospel, providing education through its schools, and operating hospitals and orphanages. It is confronting Zimbabwe's worst problems, such as poverty and the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
• Rape: A Weapon of War, An Opinion Article by Mulegwa Zihindula, GBGM, December 10, 1998
  Rape as a weapon of war is being used in many countries worldwide to target defenseless people, usually women and children.
• Street Children of Angola by Brenda Wilkinson, GBGM, December 22, 1998
  The devastation of war compounded by the AIDS pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented number of orphans. Subsequently, economically strapped relatives are finding it impossible to care for large numbers of children and are thus turning them away. To survive, these children sell goods, beg, and steal.

Asia-Pacific

• UNAIDS Chief Warns Against Complacency in Battle Against AIDS in Asia, UNAIDS, October 24, 1999
  Despite optimistic figures in some parts of the region, the AIDS epidemic in Asia continues to grow, Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS, told the 5th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific.

United States

• AIDS, Family, Faith: A Force for Change by Richard B. Cory
  Richard updates us on his family's story and says, "There is a solution to the AIDS pandemic. If people around the world join together they can become the greatest force ever known and change the course of history."
• Life with Alex written by Richard B. Cory
  A father tells what is like for him to have an 11-year old son who has AIDS.

Spiritual Resources

On This Web Site

• Worship Resources, World AIDS Day 1999
• AIDS in Africa: Heartbreak and Hope, facts and figures, stories of hope, news and views
• AIDS, Family, Faith: A Force for Change by Richard B. Cory . He updates us on his family's story and says, "There is a solution to the AIDS pandemic. If people around the world join together they can become the greatest force ever known and change the course of history."
• Binding Up the Brokenhearted Children by Nancy A. Carter, United Methodist HIV/AIDS Focus Paper #16: This paper stresses the importance of adults being able to talk with children about HIV/AIDS, sickness, sexuality and death. It emphasizes the importance of enabling children to grieve.
• Computerized AIDS Ministries (CAM) is a bulletin board service (online since 1993) and an award winning web site
• Let Us Pray for the Children by Bishop Kenneth L. Carder
• Life with Alex written by Richard B. Cory, who tells what is like for him to have an 11-year old son who has AIDS. (see story below of same name for update on Alex)
• Life with Alex outside link to The Virginian-Pilot, story by Elizabeth Simpson, Photos by Martin Smith-Rodden April 18, 1999. Alex, a Chesapeake 13-year-old is one of thousands of HIV-positive children venturing into adolescence.
• Recognizing and Responding to the Faces of HIV/AIDS in the USA, a resolution of The United Methodist Church
• South Bronx Ecumenical AIDS Ministry: An AIDS Prevention Ministry for children and youth in one of New York's most devastated neighborhoods
• Teenagers, AIDS and the Church: Part One and Part Two
• World AIDS Day: A Statement from The United Methodist Church
• Worship Resources for World AIDS Day (Christian)
• Worship Resources for World AIDS Day 1998

On Other Web Sites

• Companion in Illness: An Online Prayer Book from Passionist Publications (Roman Catholic)
  This web site has prayers and other resources to assist those who are confronting illness and suffering. A quote: "Society today too often sees the sick, especially the chronically ill, as almost useless compared to able-bodied people. The Christian vision esteems the sick as Christ did and says: Attention should be paid."

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Links on this page enable visitors to find information that may be of interest. Not all external WWW sites have materials consistent with the official policies and statements of the General Board of Global Ministries or The United Methodist Church. Only General Conference speaks for The United Methodist Church. The UNAIDS resources on this site are not official United Methodist material; they are provided as important information pertaining to this annual event.