Brussels, Belgium – On October 19, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) participated in an HIV/AIDS roundtable discussion at the European Parliament. The event raised new parliament members awareness of the impact of HIV/AIDS and key aspects necessary for influencing and monitoring HIV/AIDS related policies of the European Commission It also called for additional financial and political commitments to support response efforts to the disease. 

“HIV/AIDS affects all areas of society. It deprives children of their parents, schools of their teachers, and fields of their farmers. By destroying the social fabric and the economy of entire countries, HIV/AIDS needs to be looked at as much more globally than just as a health issue,” said Michael Usi, HIV/AIDS program director for ADRA Malawi, who represented ADRA.  

The panellists discussed how civil society can collaborate with the European Parliament in its response to HIV/AIDS, particularly the plight of orphans and vulnerable children.   

The roundtable on HIV/AIDS was one of eight themed events in the framework of the European Parliament Development Days organised by the European Non-Government Organization Confederation for Relief and Development (CONCORD). Other panellists included Louisa Morgantini, Chairperson of the Development Committee for the European Parliament, Lieve Franssen from the European Commission, and Stuart Kean of World Vision.

ADRA is present in more than 120 countries providing individual and community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age, or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.

[Annette Frick/ADRA European Union]