A number of Seventh-day Adventist experts, who have worked to bring attention to the problem, joined attendees at the meeting to produce a three-page document that outlined ways to stop the startling growth of AIDS in that country.

Attendees agreed that with approximately one percent of the country's population infected with AIDS, Russia is facing an epidemic that threatens all areas of life.

The growth of AIDS in Russia is one of the highest in the world, according to the United Nations. The document outlined ways to work to slow and ultimately diminish the spread of the virus.

Calling AIDS a problem that cannot be ignored the document acknowledged that the spread of AIDS mostly affects young people and the measures already taken by the government have been inadequate to stop its spread.

The document proposes strengthening the spiritual and moral foundations of Russian society as one way to fight the virus. This would be accomplished through greater cooperation between church and state. This cooperation would include creating organizations that produce AIDS education programs. Another plan of attack is to use the media to distribute information about AIDS. The document also suggested the formation of a committee that will continue the work started at the meeting.

Even before this meeting various organizations of the Adventist church had been working to promote worldwide awareness.

"Our church from the very beginning had health programs [to address AIDS]," said Nadezhda Ivanova, health ministries director for the Adventist church in Euro-Asia.

This included, for the last 10 years education campaigns to bring public attention to AIDS. Ivanova said these campaigns have been very successful in Russia and other areas of the former Soviet Union.

"This conference was very important because Russia is starting to realize that this is a major problem," said Ron Mataya director of health ministries at the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). Mataya, who attended the meeting, added that ADRA has been working to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS for years especially among orphans and vulnerable children. ADRA has done testing and provided medication for infected peoples.

"Our church is an active part of the society in different countries. It is doing great educational programs among children, youth and adults," said Mataya.

Attendees at the conference included representatives from the Ministry of Health and Social Development of Russian Federation, Committee of Religious Affairs of Moscow, Federal Science Methodological Center against AIDS, Protestant, Orthodox, and Catholic religious organizations, as well as Samaritan Purse, the United Nations and other charitable and public organizations.
Source:...ANN Moscow, Russia -- Entered May 5, 2005

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