Publicity for existing efforts to fund HIV/AIDS programs approved By Craig M. Kibler The Layman Online Tuesday, June 29, 2004 2004 General Assembly Richmond, Virginia June 26-July 3, 2004 General Assembly news index RICHMOND, Va. – Proposals that sought to increase funding for HIV/AIDS programs in Africa, either through the One Great Hour of Sharing or through a new giving program, were rejected Monday afternoon by the General Assembly Committee on International Issues. Instead, with little discussion, the panel voted 54-1-1 Monday afternoon to recommend that the General Assembly disapprove the original overture with the following comment: "The General Assembly directs the World Ministries Division of the Presbyterian Church (USA) to make a concerted, coordinated effort to lift up and publicize the existing Extra Commitment Opportunities pertaining to HIV/AIDS issues. There is no question that there is an overwhelming need for funds to address this crisis in Africa and around the world." Elder/commissioner Anne-Reid Bradshaw from the Presbytery of Carlisle made the motion, saying that while the crisis of HIV/AIDS in Africa was real and imminent, "I don't wish to dilute the funding from the One Great Hour of Sharing." The comment, she said, would not dilute that funding, "but would still fund HIV/AIDS programs." The original overture, by the Presbytery of New Castle, sought to add a new HIV/AIDS fund in the One Great Hour of Sharing that would receive 25 percent of the total funds raised each year for five years beginning in 2005. The One Great Hour of Sharing presently funds Self-Development of People, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and the Presbyterian Hunger Program. The General Assembly Council, in a comment, opposed the overture, saying that it was the wrong funding mechanism and that seven Extra Commitment Opportunities presently in place already fund HIV/AIDS programs. Gary Cook, associate director of the World Ministries Division, said that, "We believe that the funding source chosen by this overture is the wrong funding because of the impact it will have on three critically important that address the underlying issue of poverty. To take money away from those programs is not the best way to approach it," especially when a funding mechanism – the Extra Commitment Opportunities – already "is in place for addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis." While much concern was expressed over the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa – with some commissioners saying, "My heart goes out to those people. They are working against overwhelming odds" and "We can't let this go on. We believe we are at a critical decision point" – others worried about undercutting funding for the projects presently funded by the One Great Hour of Sharing. Another motion sought to adopt a proposal by the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns and the Advocacy Committee for Women's Concerns to leave the One Great Hour of Sharing intact and, instead, to create a new offering to fund HIV/AIDS programs for five years. That motion was defeated by a 22-32-1 vote.

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