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Global AIDS Alliance

Global AIDS Alliance


Last Updated: 7/1/2009

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Gender: Male
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Age: 24
Sign: Scorpio

City: WASHINGTON
State: Washington DC
Country: US
Signup Date: 11/27/2006

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Friday, July 24, 2009 
ACTION NEEDED NOW! Amendment to Ban Federal Syringe Exchange Funding Expected on House Floor TODAY, Friday, July 24, 2009.
Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives Rules Committee approved an amendment by Representative Mark Souder (R-IN) which prohibits U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funding for programs which distribute sterile needles or syringes for hypodermic injection of any illegal drug.
If this amendment passes it will almost certainly ban federal funding of syringe exchange in the U.S. and may disrupt current syringe exchange operations. Syringe exchange saves lives! This pernicious amendment must be defeated NOW!
Call your Representative RIGHT NOW. To reach your Representative call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Don't know who your Representative is? Check http://www.house.gov/.
What to Say:
Annually, nearly 8,000 Americans contract HIV/AIDS and approximately 12,000 Americans contract the hepatitis C virus directly or indirectly from sharing contaminated syringes. Syringe exchange programs are proven to be cost-effective and lifesaving, do not promote drug use, and provide a conduit to primary health care for hard to reach populations. The cost of preventing one HIV or Hepatitis C infection through syringe exchange programs is approximately $4,000 to $12,000; which yields a savings of as much as $648,000 in medical costs per HIV infection and approximately $25,000 to $30,000 in annual medical costs per Hepatitis C infection prevented. It is imperative we empower communities to fight their local HIV and hepatitis epidemics by providing them with a full range of tools to do so. As a constituent, I urge you to vote against the amendment proposed by Representative Mark Souder which prohibits HHS funding for programs which distribute sterile needles or syringes for hypodermic injection of illegal substances.
Once you have made your call please forward this to friends, family and anyone you might know who would call. Please emaill grassroots@globalaidsalliance.org and let us know how your call went!
3:05 PM 
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Wednesday, July 01, 2009 
If you can, it's in part due to the basic education you received growing up. Today, at least 75 million school aged children are not enrolled in primary school, 226 million adolescents will never attend secondary school and 776 million adults are illiterate. Every child deserves the opportunity to complete a quality basic education. As a global community we are failing millions of children and sentencing another generation to a life in a world in which they are ill equipped to participate. That's 75 million children who will be left behind as our world rockets forward.

Ask your Representative to speak up for these children: http://www.globalaidsalliance.org/page/speakout/g8gfe

We have the opportunity to change this. By ensuring that the children of the world have access to a quality education we will have made incredible progress in slowing some of the crises facing the world today such as poverty, HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, and gender inequality. Education has been proven to be one of the most cost-effective, equitable ways to combat these problems.

A Global Fund for Education will address these things and give 75 million kids a chance to thrive: http://www.globalaidsalliance.org/page/speakout/g8gfe

Each year, the leaders of the U.S., Canada, UK, France, Germany, Russia, Japan, and Italy - known as the "G8"- gather to discuss the year's most pressing global issues, including development priorities. This year, the meeting is in Italy from July 8th-10th. President Obama has the opportunity to help push global leaders to support the creation of a Global Fund for Education - an idea he first proposed during his presidential campaign when he promised $2 billion for a global education fund.  

Ask your Representative to support President Obama and the Global Fund for Education: http://www.globalaidsalliance.org/page/speakout/g8gfe


6:23 PM 
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Friday, March 06, 2009 
This Sunday, March 8, is International Women's Day. The Global AIDS Alliance is asking you to join us over the next few days in speaking out with the women of the world. The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) was introduced in the last Congress by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee leadership.  We now have a new Congress, a new Committee and a new opportunity to end violence against women. We need your help to make sure the bill is reintroduced as soon as possible .  The new Chairman, Senator John Kerry's commitment to women's rights is clear: as he said "We cannot afford to leave women behind. The world needs to help empower them with possibilities and keep hope alive." 
I-VAWA creates such possibilities and supports innovative approaches to ending violence against women globally by supporting survivors, holding perpetrators accountable and preventing violence.  Violence against women is a crime and a worldwide pandemic - at least 1 out of every 3 women worldwide is beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime increasing her exposure to HIV/AIDS.  Ranking Committee Member Senator Richard Lugar has championed this bill since its inception and continues speak out against violence.
Show your support for Senators Kerry and Lugar's commitment to women's rights by urging your Senator to support their reintroduction of the International Violence Against Women Act and to co-sponsor when it is re-introduced. 
Begin reaching out now - ask your Senators to support reintroduction of I-VAWA.
Take action now at http://www.globalaidsalliance.org/page/speakout/iwdivawa.
Look at what the passage of I-VAWA would mean to women around the world.
Increased efforts to prevent violence against women during conflict and in humanitarian settings
Increased pressure to find perpetrators and bring them to justice
Strengthened capacity of women's organizations working to bring such perpetrators of violence to justice
Increased opportunities for women, free from violence, to seek testing or treatment for HIV/AIDS or disclose their HIV status without fear
Increased economic and educational opportunities that would reduce the vulnerability of women at risk of violence
Speak out against the horrors suffered by women around the world. Urge your Senators to support the Senate Foreign Relations Committee leadership's reintroduction of the International Violence against Women Act.  Take action now at http://www.globalaidsalliance.org/page/speakout/iwdivawa.
Thank you for all you do,
Mary Peterson
Grassroots Coordinator
Global AIDS Alliance
9:18 PM 
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Friday, March 06, 2009 



To a lot of people, the budget can seem dry or wonky…but the truth is that as heavy on numbers and figures as it is, it’s a profoundly moral document, it’s a blueprint for the nation’s priorities. -- the Obama Administration


Obama Budget Reverses Progress on Global AIDS and Health


March 6, 2009


On February 26, President Obama released part of his first budget request to Congress.  For Fiscal Year 2010 (FY10), he requested $51.7 billion for the 150 Account, which funds U.S. foreign affairs priorities.[1]  The President’s request sets the current Administration on a path to breaking many of its promises to the people of Africa and its commitments to reassert U.S. moral leadership around the world.


President Obama has broken his commitment to double foreign assistance by 2012.


Although President Obama has promised to double U.S. foreign assistance to $50 billion by 2012,[2] his FY10 budget request is well below what is required to keep this promise.  There is simply too little money to keep many others.


·      If the U.S. increases spending on foreign affairs by only $4.4 billion each year, the average yearly increase as outlined in the President’s budget projections through FY14, it will take until at least FY17 to double foreign assistance.


·      Other promises made by the President, Vice President and Secretary of State cannot be kept with the current budget request, including the fair-share contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.


PEPFAR cannot be funded at the level authorized by Congress last year, which threatens to halt or even reverse its success.


In 2007, President Bush signed into law a bill to continue PEPFAR, the successful U.S. bilateral AIDS program.  The law authorizes a significant increase in funding consistent with promises made by President Obama, Vice President Biden, and Secretary of State Clinton when they signed the Presidential Pledge for Leadership on Global AIDS and Poverty, which contained a commitment to provide at least $50 billion by 2013 for PEPFAR.


·         It is clear that PEPFAR cannot be fully funded with such a meager increase in the overall 150 Account.[3].


·         The U.S. will fail to meet its targets of three million people on treatment, 12 million new infections prevented and 12 million people receiving care by 2013 if PEPFAR is underfunded.


The health and well-being of the people of the world is not prioritized.


Without a detailed budget, it is impossible to know what President Obama has in mind for the global health, education, and poverty-reduction programs important to his administration.


·         Under a limited budget, development and foreign assistance priorities become trade-offs, with clear winners and losers. This often means that the poorest of the poor remain at the mercy of preventable disease, violence, and other poverty-related challenges.


·         The U.S. has made commitments to Africa that must continue; it is our moral obligation to maintain leadership for the poorest and most marginalized people of the world.


The Global AIDS Alliance looks forward to a detailed budget request that prioritizes poverty and disease reduction in sub-Saharan Africa, and increases the 150 Account significantly so as to ensure that a doubling of U.S. foreign assistance will not become just another broken promise.

9:12 PM 
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Thursday, February 19, 2009 


It's been all over the news. You can't turn around without hearing about companies who have mismanaged their money and then have come to the government with their hands out-just so that they can afford to stay afloat and pay out ridiculously large bonuses to the CEO's who created the problem in the first place.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Global Fund. Along with the rest of the world the US underfunded the Global Fund. Despite this, the Fund's programs flourished and enjoyed amazing success. Now the Global Fund is facing a critical funding gap which could potentially unravel all the good that The Fund has done.
Below you will find an action alert about the Global Fund's critical shortfall. Please take a moment of your time to reach out to our new President and Secretary of State and let them know you want them to work with us to fully fund the Global Fund.

Thanks for all you do,
Mary Peterson
Global AIDS Alliance 

Speak Up! All of the incredible successes of the Global Fund have led to an increased demand for resources. In order to protect the integrity of the programs that the Global Fund supports, countries must contribute their fair share. Many nations around the world, the US in particular, are not on track to fully fund their fair share the Global Fund this year. As a result it is facing a $5 billion shortfall for this fiscal year. Tell President Obama and Secretary Clinton that we must keep our promises to the world by fully funding our fair share of the Global Fund shortfall.

Introduce Yourself.  With your help, the Global AIDS Alliance would like to welcome back all the new and returning Members of Congress. Please take a moment to tell your member why HIV/AIDS issues are important to you. Let them know that their leadership is vital to ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Be sure to write from your heart and tell your Representative and Senators why these issues are important to you.

Common Sense! Representative José Serrano (D-NY) has re-introduced the Community AIDS and Hepatitis Prevention (CAHP) Act of 2009 (HR179) in the 111th Congress. Introduced on January 6 with 28 original co-sponsors, HR-179 will eliminate all laws that prevent federal funding from being used by state and local jurisdictions to support syringe exchange programs. Please contact your Representative and ask him/her to co-sponsor this important piece of legislation.

5:40 PM 
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Friday, January 30, 2009 
As you may have heard, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria is facing a critical funding shortfall totaling $5 billion. And, unless the US and other countries step up and fill in the gap, the consequences could be dire, with the Fund forced to consider cutting existing and future grants. Already, due to the lack of funds, the Global Fund has had to postpone a round of funding by six months.

Click here to learn more about the Global Fund, and the work it does to save lives and increase access to health services in 140 countries.

Join Health GAP, Global AIDS Alliance and our allies for a conference call with Global Fund Board member, and Health GAP staffer, Asia Russell to learn about the funding gap. After hearing from Asia, we'll brainstorm ways that we can all work to help overcome the $5 billion funding gap

Date: Tuesday, Feb. 10th @ 9pm ET
RSVP by clicking here to get call-in information

What does it mean if the Global Fund does not receive additional money in donations? Well, for starters, it means that local programs on the ground that are saving lives by distributing malaria bed nets or food for people with HIV will not be able to scale up. But, even more important, countries overwhelmed with AIDS, TB and malaria were counting on new funding rounds to support programs to save lives, but those funding rounds may be cancelled entirely. This would be a devastating blow to the Fund, and efforts to address AIDS, TB and malaria worldwide

Please join us for this call on Feb. 10th at 9pm
You can RSVP here.
7:59 PM 
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Thursday, January 08, 2009 

Serrano Opens 111th Congress with Bill to Lift the Federal Syringe Exchange Ban

In the bid to have the issue out in front with an early introduction, Representative Jose Serrano has re-introduced HR 179, Community AIDS and Hepatitis Prevention (CAHP) Act of 2009 in the 111th Congress. HR 179, introduced  on January 6 with 28 original co-sponsors, would eliminate all laws which prevent federal funding from being used by state and local jurisdictions for syringe exchange.

Now we need to find as many additional co-sponsors as possible for this legislation. Please send an email today urging your Representative to co-sponsor the CAHP Act of 2009, and encourage your friends, families and networks to do the same. Click http://www.globalaidsalliance.org/page/speakout/syringeexchange to reach your Representative. You can either send the pre-written letter provided, amend it, or write your own. If your Representative already has co-sponsored, please write a note of appreciation.

H. R. 179- To permit the use of Federal funds for syringe exchange programs for purposes of reducing the transmission of bloodborne pathogens, including HIV and viral hepatitis.


Original cosponsors are: Mr. SERRANO (for himself), Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. CAPUANO, Ms. CHRISTENSEN, Mr. DELAHUNT, Mr. FARR, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. FILNER, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. HARE, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, Mr. KUCINICH, Ms. LEE, Ms. MALONEY, Ms. MCCOLLUM of Minnesota, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mr. NADLER, Ms. NORTON, MR. PAUL, Mr. RANGEL, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. TOWNS, Ms. WATERS, Mr. WAXMAN, and Ms. WOOLSEY)


 

9:42 AM 
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Thursday, October 23, 2008 
National Foreign Assistance Reform Sign-on Letter to the Presidential Candidates

Join community and religious leaders from across the country as they call upon Senators John McCain and Barack Obama to reform approaches to US foreign aid. Sign onto the below letter here: http://www.globalaidsalliance.org/page/s/FBUSDGDsignon

This letter closes at 6 pm EST on October 31, 2008.  

Dear Senators:

We, the undersigned community and religious leaders, from across the United States, wish to emphasize our full support for an approach to US foreign policy that is grounded in compassion and justice, in accordance with our faith traditions.   We welcome the proposals you have made on such urgent issues as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and access to basic education.

It would be a terrible mistake to delay or cancel the proposals you have made on these issues because of the financial crisis now affecting the United States.  These problems cannot wait because the lives of millions of people are at stake, disease threats know no borders, and true US security depends on our full participation in the effort to reach the Millennium Development Goals.  In addition, the funding required to implement your plans is a relatively tiny portion of the overall US budget; thus, delaying their implementation would not free up significant money for other purposes.

It is essential that the funding that is provided for foreign assistance be used wisely. Therefore, as you develop and refine your own foreign policy proposals, we urge you to consider backing the establishment of a US Department for Global Development, in order to ensure the full success of a compassion-centered approach.

US assistance to address poverty and disease has saved millions of lives around the world - as shown, for instance, by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).  Yet, US foreign aid is executed by at least 12 departments, 25 different agencies, and almost 60 government offices, which can lead to confusion and competing agendas.  Cost-inefficiencies in aid delivery and poor coordination hamper US efforts, and US procedures undermine the sense of local ownership needed for development to succeed.

For instance, a recent study by Oxfam found that US aid to Afghanistan, provided by eight separate US agencies, is poorly coordinated, ineffective and wasteful.

To solve these and other problems, we need a Department for Global Development to ensure that the funds allocated to reduce poverty across the globe are spent intentionally, wisely and with full accountability.

A Cabinet-level Department for Global Development:

  • Brings together the numerous U.S. government agencies and departments now working to reduce poverty throughout the world.
  • Supports a streamlined organizational structure with empowered, high-level leadership and a clear mission focused on poverty alleviation and broad-based economic development.
  • Elevates development to equal footing with defense and diplomacy
  • Provides the President a stronger voice in negotiations with Congress for the resources and policies needed to ensure the US lives up to its international commitments on poverty reduction.
  • Unifies the US effort on global poverty and disease eradication.
  • Coordinates and better leverages resources for development from Europe, Japan and other key donors and support effective international institutions.

A new presidential administration provides the opportunity to make a change of this magnitude. The time is now and the world counts on our continued global leadership.

Please consider making the establishment of a U.S. Department for Global Development a central component of your foreign policy plan.

Sincerely,
(Organizational Affiliation for Identification Purposes Only)

Rev. Jenny Boteler Badenhop, United Church of Christ
Rev. Lori Bievenour, St. Peter's United Church of Christ
Rev. Dr. Bruce P. Bouchard, Grace United Church of Christ
Marie Dennis, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Rev. Séamus P. Finn, Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Missionary Oblates
Rev. Mark Greiner, Takoma Park Presbyterian Church
Rev. Gary L. Harke, The Pennsylvania Council of Churches
Rebecca Pharers Harke, Lutheran World Relief
Marie Lucey, Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Rev. Lisa Marchal, South Indiana Conference The United Methodist Church
George Kombe Ngolwe, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
John Arthur Nunes, Lutheran World Relief
Ann Oestreich, Sisters of the Holy Cross
Rabbi G. Rayzel Raphael
Rev. Janel Rice, Central Moravian Church
Rev. James K. Risser, Black Rock Church of the Brethren
Rev. William G. Sinkford, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
Rev. Sandra L. Strauss, The Pennsylvania Council of Churches
Dr. Sayyid Syeed, Interfaith and Community Alliances Islamic Society of North America
10:49 PM 
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Saturday, October 18, 2008 

Times are tough -- time to sell your motorcycle, stocks or stuffed bear? GAA is now a registered eBay Giving Works beneficiary. What that means is that people selling on eBay can opt to donate 10-100% of their sales proceeds to us. See this link for more info: http://donations.ebay.com/charity/charity.jsp?NP_ID=713. Once we have sellers selling on our behalf, folks can also specifically shop for items that have a % of proceeds earmarked for us. People can make a donation directly to us via the site as well. Spread the word!

We are also planning to do an online auction of the extra set of prints of Rebecca Sullivan's photos, most likely in conjunction with World AIDS Day... Will keep you posted!

1:55 AM 
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Saturday, October 18, 2008 
At the Global AIDS Alliance, we always encourage you to use your voice and speak out, and I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you to vote on November 4th. Throughout the year, we work to raise awareness of global AIDS issues and pressure elected officials to do the right thing. And Election Day is a unique opportunity to do just that. In light of this, we have dedicated this edition of Bold Action Now to voting. I hope you find the following resources helpful!


As always thanks for your voice,
Mary Peterson
Global AIDS Alliance


Action Alert! Last week the US House and Senate passed the most sweeping bailout of the US banking system since the Great Depression. There's no doubt that the economic downturn is causing real pain. But some conservative groups are saying that means we should curtail US programsto address global poverty. Help us send a message to McCain and Obama that curtailing smart, effective foreign assistance that saves lives is unnecessary and unwise by visiting http://www.globalaidsalliance.org/index.php/1085/.


Get Out the Vote! Find your polling place, get informed on the issues and find out what five questions you need to ask before you vote by visiting GAA's Election Toolkit at http://www.globalaidsalliance.org/index.php/1084.

1:48 AM 
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