27 APRIL 2001
The Honorable George W. Bush
Mr. President:
We, the undersigned members of the National Organizations Responding to
AIDS (NORA) coalition, are writing in regard to the upcoming Special
Session of the United Nations on the HIV/AIDS pandemic that will be held
June 25-27, 2001. NORA is a coalition comprised of over 175 faith-based,
labor, professional and advocacy groups that represent a broad consensus
on HIV- and AIDS-related policy, legislation and funding.
Alarmed by the accelerating epidemic and its global impact, the United
Nations General Assembly decided to convene a Special Session on HIV/AIDS
at the highest political level. The session will aim to intensify
international action to fight the epidemic and to mobilize the resources
needed. At the Special Session, high-level national delegations will
discuss what action plans have proven most effective in addressing the
AIDS situation in their own countries and what next steps are needed.
The major outcome of the session will be a Declaration of Commitment that
will outline priority areas where stronger actions must be taken. These
areas include prevention, improved access to care and treatment, care of
children orphaned by AIDS, expanded public/private sector partnerships,
and the need for an accelerated multisectoral response to the epidemic.
Mr. President, the United States has two decades of experience in fighting
the epidemic and continues to be a proven leader both domestically and
internationally. Through the efforts of our own Government agencies, the
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Health Resources and
Services Administration (HRSA) and Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) the U.S. has developed model prevention, care and
treatment programs for persons living with HIV both in urban and rural
settings.
Internationally, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has
been a proven leader in the development and implementation of prevention
and care programs around the world. The agency has become the global and
U.S. Government leader in this international fight. USAID is known for
its strong field presence, technical leadership, and long-term
relationships with host country institutions.
This Special Session of the UN General Assembly is of great importance to
millions of Americans who have been impacted by AIDS. We see this as a
unique opportunity for the world to craft a united response to the
pandemic. However, for this effort to succeed, the United States must
take a leadership role. Strong U.S. leadership on the AIDS pandemic and
in the UN Special Session is in the best interest of the people of the
world and the people of the United States.
To this end, we urge you to take action on the following:
We call on you personally to represent our nation in addressing the
Special Session. Your presence would speak volumes, to millions of
Americans and to the world, regarding the commitment of your
administration to ending the AIDS pandemic.
Second, the need for strong leadership within the delegation is critical.
We request your careful consideration of persons to serve on the
delegation who represent the profile of the epidemic in the U.S. and have
knowledge and experience regarding HIV/AIDS domestically and
internationally. The delegation should include members of civil society
and at least two persons living with HIV/AIDS. In addition, members of
the delegation should represent a balance of gender, ethnicity, and age.
Third, it is crucial that the voices of civil society around the world be
heard during the Special Session. Unfortunately those with the experience
and expertise from communities most heavily impacted are least able to
have access to the meeting due to costs for travel and accommodations.
The United Nations Joint Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) has established a fund
to support participation at the session and auxiliary meetings by
individuals from developing countries. The U.S. has long supported the
idea that people living with HIV and AIDS should be included in designing
and developing programs to respond to this pandemic. To that end we ask
you to ensure that the U.S. will contribute to this fund, as well as
leverage funds from other donors.
Finally, during the Special Session we know that a series of issues will
be addressed. We urge you to consider the following when responding to
the Declaration of Commitment:
… The interaction of social and economic conditions with the impact of the
AIDS epidemic must be acknowledged and addressed with renewed commitment.
… Efforts to reduce the vulnerability of women and children through
education must remain a part of our strategy.
… Ongoing prevention efforts must be continued, and expanded to include
new strategies and technologies.
… Programs that provide care and support for those infected and affected
must grow.
… The United States is a leader in the field of research and development
of HIV prevention and treatment, and our contribution to this field should
reflect our considerable capacity.
… The U.S. also has a vital role to play in mobilizing the resources
necessary to make a respectable stand against this devastating epidemic,
and should set a proud example to other nations.
We hope that the U.S. delegation to the UN General Assembly will be able
to reflect the current expertise in the struggle against HIV/AIDS, as well
as the compassion of the American people and the commitment of our
leadership, to bring a message of hope to this important event.
Sincerely,
The following groups are not members of NORA, but they also support the
content of this letter.
Family Health International
[submitted by: Amanda Riley; NORA Coordinator]
President of the United States
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
April 27, 2001
Advocates for Youth
AIDS Action
AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth & Families
AIDS Nutrition Services Alliance
AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition
American Association for World Health
American Dental Education Association
American Psychological Association
American Public Health Association
American Social Health Association
Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs
Association of Nurses in AIDS Care
Center for Health and Gender Equity
Center for Women Policy Studies
Committee of Ten Thousand
Communities Advocating Emergency AIDS Relief (CAEAR) Coalition
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Gay Men's Health Crisis
Global AIDS Action Network
Global Campaign for Microbicides
Global Health Council
HIV/AIDS Dietetic Practice Group, American Dietetic Association
Mothers' Voices
National AIDS Fund
National AIDS Housing Coalition
National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors
National Association for Victims of Transfusion-Acquired AIDS, Inc.
National Association of Protection & Advocacy Systems
National Association of Social Workers
National Catholic AIDS Network
National Coalition for the Homeless
National Gay & Lesbian Task Force
National Minority AIDS Council
National Network for Youth
Plan International
Project Inform
San Francisco AIDS Foundation
Sexuality Information & Education Council of the United States
The Alan Guttmacher Institute
Therapeutic Communities of America
Title II Community AIDS National Network
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
The Futures Group International