God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

05/14/2010 • 12:12 am Comments Off on 13.05.2010 Ecumenical Church Day Munich

13.05.2010 Ecumenical Church Day Munich

Breakfast with Prof. Hilpert, moral theologian of the Theological faculty of Munich to discuss his possible input into our POZ project for HIV positive priests and religious. There after finding our way to the VIP International Visitors Lounge to receive the necessary documentation for the Ecumenical Church Day.

Meeting with a representative of MISEREOR to discuss some financial affairs and possibilities before heading to the Technical University to prepare for the podiums discussion about “HIV positive kids and youth in South Africa”.  the 1.5 h presentation included a film-strip from the film “thembi” and my role is to present the actual situation – social and political – in South Africa  and then the experience of HOPE Cape Town with children infected and their life experience.
During the discussion of course also the questions of condoms arise and the need of change in moral theology.

Interviews, meetings with known and long – not – seen friends surround the podium discussion and then quick back to the hotel – another meeting with a editor of a magazine before heading to the reception of the SPD in the Bavarian parliament. There I meet a lot of known and new people, amongst others Franz Maget, Archbishop Marx, the Vice President of the German Bundestag, Thierse, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs Steinmeier, SPD stalwart Nagel, the Catholic Dean of Munich, the Finance Director of the Archdiocese of Munich, the secretary of the German Bishops Conference and many more. And at the end I agree to be part of the World AIDS Day in Munich and a week early to preach at the Hannover Marktkirche at the traditional service to commemorate the HIV/AIDS victims of the area, which is an honour as they have to show off with an impressive row of preachers in the last year.
So much networking for both of us this evening…

And so much more in between – a really full day and tomorrow the day starts with a breakfast at 7 am. Time to say Good Night…

Filed under: General, HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, Networking, Politics and Society, , , , , , , , , , , ,

05/09/2010 • 9:11 am Comments Off on 09.05.2010 On the way…

09.05.2010 On the way…

Cape Town – Johannesburg – Frankfurt – Hannover… the first leg of the trip, Fr. Wim Lindeque of Manneberg and I are flying to meet a lot of interesting people and to hopefully push forward our common agenda regarding the pastoral work for HIV positive priests and religious. While the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference considers our proposal, we are heading also to Rome to introduce our concept to two papal councils. After that to Munich where I am invited to join a podium about South African children and HIV. Lots of talks with politicians and church people are also on the agenda. Finally to Muenster Sarmsheim to join for a fundraising evening in lieu of HOPE Cape Town and the next day discussion with some students of a local school.

But first to Hannover and Wolfsburg to meet “brother” Joachim and Sandra and their team to prepare for some challenging events next year.

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, Medical and Research, Networking, Politics and Society, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , ,

05/04/2010 • 6:47 pm Comments Off on 04.05.2010 News on medical dagga

04.05.2010 News on medical dagga

The POZ magazine reports:
The Washington, DC, City Council approved a medical marijuana bill allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana to patients with chronic conditions such as HIV, glaucoma and cancer, The Washington Post reports. Under the bill, doctors would be able to prescribe patients up to 2 ounces of marijuana in a 30-day period. According to the article, patients’ prescriptions would be filled at city-sanctioned distribution centers, which receive their marijuana supply from private cultivation centers licensed by the city.  The bill, approved April 20, does include restrictions. Patients aren’t allowed to grow their own marijuana, and distribution and cultivation centers can’t be located within 300 feet of schools or preschools. The council is scheduled to vote a second time on the bill next month, after which it could take several months for the program to go into effect.
http://www.poz.com/articles/medical_marijuana_bill_1_18313.shtml

In my opinion a great decision.

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Treatment, Medical and Research, Politics and Society, , , , ,

05/02/2010 • 6:29 pm Comments Off on POZ magazine: China lifts 20 year old HIV ban

POZ magazine: China lifts 20 year old HIV ban

China lifted its 20-year-old entry ban on foreigners living with HIV, other sexually transmitted infections and leprosy, the Xinhua News Agency reports.  “There are 51 countries in the world which still have such restrictions,” said Mark Stirling, UNAIDS country coordinator. “China’s move will have significant global influence and provide very important leadership.” Stirling added that the regulation changes, which were passed on April 27, will encourage more public dialogue about HIV/AIDS in China, which will help combat stigma and discrimination.  A recent survey showed that 84 percent of Chinese people preferred to keep the ban, which Stirling said reflects the need for HIV education, including how the virus is transmitted.  According to the article, 740,000 people are living with the virus in China and 49,845 have died of AIDS-related illnesses since the country’s first reported case in 1985.

Original message: http://www.poz.com/rssredir/articles/china_travel_ban_hiv_1_18331.shtml

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, Politics and Society, , , ,

04/12/2010 • 5:54 pm Comments Off on 12.04.2010 New strategic plan..

12.04.2010 New strategic plan..

South Africa has a new strategic plan to combat HIV and AIDS and this month, a massive roll out in advertising for VCT, voluntary counseling and testing will start. It is amazing to see what the Soccer World cup 2010 can accomplish. What still has to be seen is how this massive drive is financed and how we continue with it after the world cup. Too often I have seen big plans and little action – so I will wait and see what comes out. Let’s cross our thumbs that South Africa does the right choice and follows through.. it would have an amazing effect on the death numbers due to HIV and AIDS.

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, HIV Treatment, Politics and Society, , , , ,

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