G8 Summit - Broken Promises. What Happened?

They also failed to deliver ambitious enough treatment targets by committing to provide treatment for only 5 million people in Africa ‘over the next few years’. Current estimates indicate the real treatment need in Africa by 2010 could now be up to 11 million people. Steve Cockburn, Campaign Coordinator of the Stop AIDS Campaign was there at the summit and found the whole process frustrating. “If actually delivered, the money promised will save lives, yet ultimately this outrageous poverty of ambition shown by the G8 will cost many more. By falling scandalously short of what the UN says is needed to fight HIV and AIDS, and by setting treatment targets well below actual need, they have capped ambition at a level which will be fatal for many”.

There were some positive outcomes in that leaders re-affirmed the goal of universal access to AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010. However, they did little to explain how it will be achieved. There was no mention of a working group to monitor G8 AIDS promises, something that campaigners, led by the Global Unions, have been working for.

“Clearly campaigners all around the world need to work even harder, more closely, be more coordinated and take leadership in order to have a more effective voice and to make sure that leaders, at the G8 and beyond, keep their promises on AIDS” stated Linda Hartke, Coordinator for the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, an international network of over 100 churches and Christian organisations.

G8 campaigners will be sharing lessons learnt in this years G8 and turning their attention to the next G8 in Japan, 2008. For more information see www.g8aidscampaign.org

Global AIDS Week of Action 20-26 May, 2007

The Global AIDS Week of Action was an opportunity to demand a stronger response, greater accountability and more resources in the fight against AIDS. Campaigners from over 25 countries stood together to generate political pressure and demand action from global leaders for more resources to fight AIDS. “The abject failure of the G8 leaders to move forward on their AIDS promises at last week’s meeting inGermany shows how important such mobilisations are for keeping the fight against AIDS high on the political agenda.” said Action Aid Campaign Coordinator Aditi Sharma.

Highlights

In Nigeria activists and journalists came together during a press briefing to push the government to guarantee universal access by 2010. A charter of demands from HIV positive people including a call for an end to stigmatisation of the disease was aired on national radio and television.

On the Pacific island of Guam, activists created memorial quilts in the local language, Chuukese. These quilts were displayed to remember those in the community who have died from AIDS.

In France, the main entrance of the European Parliament was covered with the red AIDS ribbon to raise awareness of the Global AIDS Week of Action. Inside, a meeting of European members of parliament took place, to launch a new report on the political barriers to the fight against HIV and AIDS.

For more information, please visit www.globalaidsweek.org.

Night of Solidarity 2 June

Just prior to the G8 Summit, Night of Solidarity Events took place in Austria, Germany, India, Italy, The Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK).

Highlights

Action Against AIDS Germany coordinated numerous events all over the country. Ranging from film and music to light and visual installations, campaigners used a creative approach to get the message across. In one example, the theatre company Schluck und weg!“ (Gulp and Go) made a guest appearance at the BUKO pharmaceutical campaign, an organisation that examines activities of the German pharmaceutical industry in developing countries. Their lively performance sparked debates and provoked controversial discussions about the politics and policies of pharmaceutical companies and HIV medicine. For more information about events across Germany, please visit www.aids-kampagne.de

The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance organised an event at the Place des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. This was the first Night of Solidarity in Geneva and was attended by a small but passionate group. Participants stood outside of the United Nations (UN) building, between the flapping flags of the nations of the world and together held a long red banner in the shape of the AIDS ribbon. One of the participants, Mr. Bernard Kadasia, said that he found “the simplicity of the event and the deep commitment of the participants very moving. It was an intense moment for me and I truly believed that the compassion and the hope [of the participants]… would touch the leaders of the G8 and beget action.”

The Church Youth at Shekinah A.G.Church, Tondaiyarpet in India also honoured the Night of Solidarity. The evening consisted of prayers, presentations and reflections. It culminated with members of the church holding red candles in the shape of a red ribbon to remember those infected with HIV and show solidarity for the event taking place all over the world.

To find out more about events, and what happened on the Night of Solidarity, click here.