LWF HIV and AIDS Campaign

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For the Sake of Life

With its HIV and AIDS campaign, launched in May 2002, the LWF aims to accompany its member churches in their response to the AIDS pandemic:

Building adequate capacity for effective action
Becoming strong, reliable and competent actors working in cooperation with ecumenical and societal partners
Developing a solid theological base for AIDS ministries

Four LWF regions have issued statements of commitment to the campaign’s goals: “Break the Silence”; “Justice, Conversion and Integration”; “Covenant of Life”; and “Bound Together.”

Download the statements of commitment under Related Documents in the right-hand column.

For The Sake of Life – LWF AIDS Campaign 2010-2012

The campaign 2010-2012 focus, “For the Sake of Life,” calls on LWF member churches and partners to focus on prevention.

To take action that saves and transforms lives
To defend the rights of the infected and the affected, and to improve their quality of living
To empower youth, women and People Living With HIV (PLWH)
To build inclusive communities
To fight stigma and discrimination

Campaign Goals

Comprehensive HIV Prevention

LWF member churches prioritize comprehensive HIV prevention efforts.
Churches and ecumenical partners learn to speak about prevention effectively and regularly in worship services, schools and church-related gatherings.
AIDS curricula are included in theological and Christian education.

Universal Access to Treatment

Member churches advocate for universal access to treatment and recognize the importance of collaboration with ecumenical and societal partners in this work.

Quality Care and Support

Member churches intensify care and support programs, emphasizing the rights of and respect for women, youth and PLWH.
In close conjunction with prevention work, churches target all forms of stigmatization and discrimination against people living with HIV or affected by AIDS.

Supportive Environment

Member churches become safe, supportive spaces for all, dedicated to eliminating infection risk, stigma and discrimination.
Churches create opportunities for all their members to be involved in effective AIDS ministries by adopting HIV and AIDS general and workplace policies as well as realistic, fundable strategies for action.

Resources and Tools

LWF handbook for HIV and AIDS work

The LWF produced Grace, Care and Justice – A Handbook for HIV and AIDS Work as a resource particularly for churches and faith-based organizations. This basic primer includes medical, preventive, home-based care, advocacy, and other guidance for those in local settings who are working on this challenge. It is available in a number of languages including English, French and Spanish . Other translations are in progress and the AIDS Desk welcomes proposals for further language versions.

Learn more & download the handbook

Ongoing mapping exercise

The AIDS Desk maintains a database tracking what LWF member churches are doing with regard to HIV and AIDS response.

How the AIDS Campaign Works

The LWF AIDS Campaign is implemented at regional and sub-regional levels through LWF member churches, regional bodies and Department for World Service country programs.

Guided by the understanding, “To be Lutheran is to be ecumenical,” the LWF collaborates closely with ecumenical and other strategic partners, and is a member of coalitions such as the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA) and the World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative in Africa (EHAIA).

The LWF HIV and AIDS Campaign is coordinated from the HIV and AIDS Desk at the Geneva secretariat.

Get Involved

Please join the LWF AIDS Campaign in responding to the challenge of the HIV and AIDS epidemic by:

Initiating dialogue on HIV prevention and treatment
Utilizing the LWF Web site to share best practices within the LWF communion and beyond
Challenging beliefs and practices that increase vulnerability to HIV
Creating local HIV peer support groups
Fighting stigma and discrimination
Supporting participation of youth and women in the fight against HIV and AIDS
Urging development of HIV policies inclusive of PLWH, particularly women and youth
Including youth, women and PLWH in local initiatives that promote access to HIV prevention and treatment
Advocating the integration of HIV and AIDS issues in theological training programs

Coming soon: Have a best practice example to share? Submit your story!

For more information please contact:

HIV and AIDS Desk

Faith in Action Themes