Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit

Faith leaders can play a key role in the fight against the HIV pandemic if their public statements help combat stigma and discrimination, a meeting of faith groups in Vienna in advance of the 18th International AIDS Conference has heard. 



"Religious leaders have the trust and confidence of their communities and can help break these barriers and create a more supportive environment," the Netherlands AIDS ambassador Marijke Wijnroks told a 17 July multi-faith conference in the Austrian capital. 



Faith leaders in Africa have a responsibility to act as peacemakers rather than fuel strife, says a Lutheran theologian from Eritrea. 



"There are some situations in sub-Saharan Africa where religion-based politics has unleashed violence on a grand scale," author Yacob Tesfai said on 2 July, presenting his new book, "Holy Warriors, Infidels, and Peacemakers in Africa", at the Geneva headquarters of the World Council of Churches. 



Written by Peter Kenny

Geneva (ENI). The head of the world's largest grouping of churches, the Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, is to tell the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos that Haiti's foreign debt should be immediately and unconditionally cancelled. 



Written by Stephen Brown

Geneva (ENI). The global ecumenical movement must bring the hope of peace and justice to a suffering and divided world, says the new general secretary of the World Council of Churches, the Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit.