The role of FBOs in sustaining the family unit as the centre of our society

To address the theme of restoring and preserving family wellbeing in the face of HIV and AIDS, the June session of the WCRP-HIVAN Religious Leaders?’ and HIV/AIDS Researchers?’ Forum Series was blessed with especially luminous guest speakers and panellists.

Eminent peace activist, Ms Ela Gandhi, shared the platform with Anglican Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane, with the proceedings being opened by eThekwini Deputy-Mayor, Mr Logie Naidoo. HIVAN?’s Head of Communications, Arts and Advocacy, Ms Deborah Heustice, chaired the panel discussion, partnered by the Rev Sue Brittion as Vice-Chairperson of the World Conference on Religion and Peace.

Responding to the purpose of the Forum and its special theme for the evening, Councillor Naidoo stressed the importance of such community mobilisation and the space given to the sharing of concerns and ideas about HIV/AIDS in terms of its social, economic and spiritual implications. ?“These challenges have placed a direct focus on the need for moral re-armament and human development, as the future of our whole society is in the balance,?” he said.

?“It is our responsibility to instill in our youth positive values, positive thinking, positive attitudes and positive lifestyles. We must ensure that our future generations are healthy and empowered to develop and apply their talents. Abstinence and honesty between partners as HIV prevention approaches deserve deeper and wider emphasis, as we can all see how the ?‘free-loving?’ ethos of the Sixties has impacted negatively on our world during this century ?– indeed, it can be fatal,?” he said.

?“Also, we must replace responses of stigma and rejection with compassion and care, and offer a comprehensive education programme for all our citizens about every social ill that feeds on and fuels HIV and AIDS. We must secure ample technical resources and financial support for these common goals by joining hands with one another, just as this interfaith and multi-disciplinary Forum is actively doing,?” he said. ?“We must also close all the divides between sectors, so that government, the private sector and NGOs can use their pooled and complementary strengths in this new struggle for a healthy society.?”

In her introduction of Archbishop Ndungane, Rev. Sue Brittion noted that the concept of ?“the family unit?” is a highly contested and nuanced topic, involving far more than the stereotype of the middle-class, Western nuclear family. ?“Families are no less real or significant if they are centred on single mothers or fathers, widows, gay men and lesbians (whether living openly as such, or not), or divorced parents.?”

With deep affection and pride, she described the Archbishop as a man who had survived ?“the university of Robben Island, among others?” and who remained committed to speaking out everywhere on social issues ?– most recently at the G8 Summit with regard to poverty.

The full report can be accessed on the righthand side of this page