AIDS IN : DESPAIR AND DENIAL Introduction A human tragedy of immense propor- financial resources to the worldwide Focus tions is engulfing the countries of sub- struggle against the disease than ever This CBC News in Saharan Africa. This area of the world before. More people in poor countries Review story exam- ines the human has become the epicentre of the global were able to access the antiretroviral catastrophe that is HIV/AIDS epidemic. Millions have drugs necessary to combat the debilitat- currently engulfing already died; countless millions more ing effects of the disease. Nonetheless, sub-Saharan Africa, are infected with the deadly virus and millions around the world were still where millions are face a short lifespan, immense suffer- dying of AIDS every year, and millions dying of AIDS. It ing, and despair. Throughout 2005, of new cases were still being reported. offers an overview of the scope of the international attention was captured by This was occurring despite a massive crisis and focuses natural disasters such as the Asian educational campaign designed to reach on one country’s tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, the earth- those in poor countries who were struggle to deal quake in Kashmir, and the huge toll of unfamiliar with the causes of HIV/ with the epidemic. human suffering these events caused. AIDS and how they could protect It also profiles the efforts of countries Western countries and individual do- themselves against it. The situation was and individuals to nors alike contributed generously to especially bleak in sub-Saharan Africa, provide assistance assist the many victims of these disas- where 60 per cent of the estimated 40.3 to the millions of ters, whose plight was regularly por- million people affected by HIV around victims of this trayed in the mass media. But the HIV/ the world were living. In 2005 alone, deadly disease. AIDS crisis in Africa, while afflicting almost 2.5 million adults and children many times the number of those who in Africa had died, and another three Further Research suffered from these other disasters, has million were infected. Along with its For more detailed strangely attracted far less concern. Yet huge human toll in death and suffering, information about it is potentially the greatest epidemic of the disease was also creating a major HIV/AIDS visit the a deadly disease to strike the planet in economic, social, and political crisis in World Health human history. Not since the Black the countries it was affecting. Life Organization’s HIV Death that swept away at least a third of spans were plummeting, already-scarce site at www.who.int/ Europe’s population in the middle of financial and human resources were topics/hivinfections/ the 14th century or the Spanish Flu that straining to the breaking point, health- en/ and AIDS ORG killed between 20 and 50 million world- care facilities were barely coping. A at www.aids.org. wide at the end of the First World War whole generation of young Africans— has the world faced such a peril. The potentially the future of its continent— potential impact of the HIV/AIDS was being carried off before it could YV Sections epidemic on Africa and the rest of the even reach maturity. Countries such as marked with this world could extend far beyond the , previously one of Africa’s symbol indicate content suitable for death toll of millions, affecting eco- greatest successes in terms of its eco- younger viewers. nomic, social, and political trends on a nomic and social development, were global scale for the 21st century and facing a very depressing future, as at beyond. least one-quarter of the country’s In its 2005 year-end report on the population was expected to die of AIDS HIV/AIDS epidemic, the United Na- before 2010. tions reported that wealthy Western Largely as a response to the growing countries were devoting far greater HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa, the leaders

CBC News in Review • January 2006 • Page 31 of the G8 countries met in Scotland in certs generated, it remained to be seen Did you know . . . July 2005 to reach an agreement on just how serious the commitment of the About 25 million how best to help the continent deal with wealthy Western countries to Africa’s people have died of AIDS since it was its immense problems. Under the lead- plight really was. first discovered in ership of British Prime Minister Tony Meanwhile, as they waited for the 1981. Blair, and with the enthusiastic backing much-anticipated promises of Western of Canada’s Paul Martin, the leaders help to become a reality, the people of pledged themselves to contributing sub-Saharan Africa continued to deal billions of dollars to a UN-administered with the daily effects of the catastrophe. Millennium Development Fund for It is surely no accident that the global Africa. They also expressed a willing- centre of the HIV/AIDS epidemic is ness to negotiate terms under which the also by far the poorest area of the poorest African countries could be world. By every measure, this part of relieved of at least part of the steep Africa lags far behind the rest of the payments of their foreign debts, which world in its economic and social devel- are crippling their economies. opment. Even without the added burden But at the same time, they rejected of this deadly disease, Africa’s prob- demands from non-governmental lems would already be huge. But as humanitarian groups involved in the long as millions are dying of this dis- struggle against HIV/AIDS that they ease, while those who are not struggle boost their countries’ foreign aid contri- to cope with its devastating effects, the butions to a minimum of 0.7 of their future for most of Africa appears very gross domestic product (GDP) by 2015. bleak indeed. How long can the rest of To activists such as Canada’s Stephen the world remain in a state of comfort- Lewis, the UN special AIDS represen- able denial about the sheer magnitude tative to Africa, pop stars Bob Geldof, of this tragedy despite calls for immedi- the promoter of the Live 8 concerts, and ate action by activists like Stephen U-2’s Bono, long an advocate of greater Lewis? This is a question on many assistance to poor countries, this was an minds as HIV/AIDS continues to exact appalling failure. Despite all the public- its terrible toll of human suffering and ity the conference and the Live 8 con- despair.

To Consider 1. Why is the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa such a serious matter for international concern? Why has it received less attention than other recent natural disasters in Asia and elsewhere?

2. How have the leaders of the G8 countries responded to the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa? What criticisms have been made of the extent of their response?

3. Why does the HIV/AIDS epidemic cast such a dark shadow over the future prospects of the countries and peoples of sub-Saharan Africa?

4. What role do you think Canada should play in this global health issue?

CBC News in Review • January 2006 • Page 32 AIDS IN AFRICA: DESPAIR AND DENIAL YV Video Review

Answer the ques- Part A: Gathering Information tions in the spaces 1. Describe the “good news” and the “bad news” in the United Nations’ provided. 2005 year-end report on the global HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Did you know . . . Of the approxi- mately 40 million people suffering from AIDS, 90 per 2. What region of the world has the HIV/AIDS epidemic affected most seri- cent of them live in ously? What statistics support this conclusion? poor, developing countries. 3. How many people does AIDS kill in every day? ______What is the average life expectancy for a Zambian as a result of the epi- demic? ______4. What is the population of the Zambian town of Mongu? ______How many beds does the local hospital have? ______5. What items essential for the proper functioning of a health-care facility does the Mongu hospital lack?

6. What type of drugs can suppress the AIDS virus? ______How do they work? Why can most AIDS victims in Zambia not obtain them?

7. What additional financial pressure does having a relative suffering from AIDS place on already poor Zambian families?

8. What is the attitude of the local religious figures to the spreading epi- demic of HIV/AIDS in Zambia? What is the response of the filmmaker to this opinion?

9. Why are many young Zambians who are infected with HIV/AIDS reluctant to take precautions to protect their potential sexual partners?

CBC News in Review • January 2006 • Page 33 Part B: Discussing and Responding Form groups to discuss and formulate a response to the following statements made by the filmmaker or local Zambians about the HIV/AIDS epidemic cur- rently sweeping that African country. (These are taken from the video itself.)

1. “There is no reason for using a condom once I am HIV—I’m dying.”

2. “HIV is one of the incurable diseases. The Lord wants us to talk about it in Church today. Me, I don’t support the issue of condoms, because that has been made by man. Man shall not protect this. And so it is only God. So the only protection measure, according to the Bible, is to stick to Jesus.”

3. “I cannot believe that in this continent, in this day and age, in the middle of this epidemic, anyone would advise merely abstinence as a credible solution.”

4. “Myself, when I finish drinking, I just go for any girl and have sex with her. Direct. I don’t use a condom, because I enjoy. Because I used when I was young. Direct, not even putting on a condom. I don’t worry.”

5. “At a recent AIDS conference in Africa, delegates warned of a social catastro- phe if more is not done to bring the continent’s AIDS crisis under control, and more lifesaving drugs are not provided to the millions of Africans living with HIV who desperately need them, but can’t afford them.”

CBC News in Review • January 2006 • Page 34 AIDS IN AFRICA: DESPAIR AND DENIAL A Profile of Zambia

Zambia, a country located in east Tonga. There are over 70 different Further Research central Africa, is one of the nations ethnic groups in the country, most of To learn about most seriously affected by the HIV/ whose languages share common Bantu Zambia, consult the Embassy of the AIDS epidemic. Over 700 000 adults characteristics. Christianity is the Republic of Zambia and children have already died of the dominant religion, but Hinduism, Islam, in Washington, D.C., disease. If the current rate of infection and indigenous African faiths are also at www.zambia continues, it is expected that 1.6 million practised. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has embassy.org or visit more will die in less than 10 years. devastated the country’s economic and www.thezambian.com. Almost 20 per cent of the total popula- social structure, killing many young tion of 11 million is believed to be Zambian professionals whose skills are infected, and approximately 650 000 desperately needed for its progress. Zambian children have been orphaned According to World Bank estimates, by the loss of their parents to the dis- over 75 per cent of Zambia’s people ease. The average life expectancy has live below the global poverty line of dropped from 54 to 40 in the past two one dollar per day. decades, a decline almost totally attrib- The current president of Zambia is utable to the onset of the HIV/AIDS Levy Mwanawasa, who narrowly won epidemic. But the country’s severe the December 2001 elections, which economic decline has also contributed opposition parties accused of being to its current social and medical problems. fixed. Mwanawasa was initially re- Potentially, Zambia is a rich country, garded as the chosen successor of the well endowed with important natural country’s previous leader, Frederick resources such as copper and other Chiluba, who had left office under a valuable minerals. When it gained cloud of corruption charges. But independence from Britain in 1964, Mwanawasa has acted swiftly to re- many predicted a prosperous future. At move Chiluba’s former assistants from the time of independence, Zambia was their governmental posts and has ap- the world’s third-largest copper pro- proved a high-level investigation of ducer, after the Soviet Union and the illegal activities that took place during U.S. But when world copper prices the former ruler’s administration. collapsed in the1970s, the economy Prior to winning independence, entered a severe decline, from which it Zambia was a British colony known as has yet to fully recover. Zambia continues Northern Rhodesia, in honour of Sir to put its economic hopes on copper, Cecil Rhodes, a British businessman which is still its main export. Increasing who had developed huge mining opera- demand from electronics manufacturers tions in southern and eastern Africa. In has raised hopes that the world price for the post-independence era, Lusaka grew this mineral will rise again. rapidly as thousands of rural Zambians Zambia’s capital city is Lusaka; its left their desperate life in the country- total land area is 752 614 square side in the hope of finding prosperity in kilometres. English is the official the city. Zambia’s sole ruler from 1964 language, but a number of local African to 1991 was the legendary Kenneth languages are also widely spoken, Kaunda, who had led the struggle for including Bemba, Lozi, Nyanja, and freedom from Britain. Under his rule,

CBC News in Review • January 2006 • Page 35 the country initially pursued a socialist foreign debt and reassure investors of economic development model, with the its fiscal responsibility. The results of government taking control of most of this program, which was also followed the main industries and the land. In in other developing countries desperate 1972, Kaunda made Zambia a one-party for financial assistance, were uniformly state, with his United National Indepen- disastrous. In recent years both the dence Party (UNIP) the only legal politi- World Bank and the IMF have recon- cal entity. Zambia offered its territory as a sidered their blueprints for economic base of support for guerrilla groups development, but not before the previ- fighting against the white-minority ous recipes had created untold devasta- government in neighbouring Rhodesia. tion around the world, blighting the Food riots in 1990 and growing lives of millions of people. demands for more political freedom led A military coup in 1997 was put to the adoption of a new constitution down, leading to the execution of 59 legalizing opposition political parties. army plotters for treason. By 2000, In 1991, Frederick Chiluba, the leader Zambia was coping with the burden of of the Movement for Multi-party De- thousands of refugees fleeing the vio- mocracy (MMP), was elected president, lent civil war that had engulfed the defeating Kaunda, who was later neighbouring Democratic Republic of banned from seeking a further term as the Congo. In 2001, Chiluba’s govern- president. Chiluba launched a wide- ment ran into serious problems. Some ranging program of privatization, of its senior members split to form a selling off formerly state-run enter- rival group opposed to the president’s prises to foreign companies. This policy plans to run for a third term. Following was recommended to him by the World the victory of Levy Mwanawasa in the Bank and the International Monetary December 2001 presidential elections, Fund, who believed it to be a recipe for Chiluba was arrested on corruption economic success for poor countries charges. Meanwhile, the country’s such as Zambia that had once experi- economy, already reeling from the mented with socialism. But while effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, foreign investment grew, and some faced another serious challenge as Zambians became richer, unemploy- prolonged droughts caused massive ment and poverty also increased. The crop failures. The resulting starvation benefits of the free-market economy caused Mwanawasa to declare a national were very hard to see for most people. state of emergency and to appeal to the On the urgings of these international international community for emergency financial bodies, Chiluba’s government food aid. In 2005, the World Bank ap- slashed spending on education, health proved a $3.8-billion debt relief package care, and other vital social programs so for Zambia that will permit it to write off that it could pay down its enormous more than half its foreign debt. Analysis 1. What factors could have led to Zambia’s becoming a prosperous and stable nation after it achieved independence from Britain? Why this did not happen? 2. What are the most difficult challenges Zambia faces today? How are both local leaders and the international community seeking to help the country overcome its problems?

CBC News in Review • January 2006 • Page 36 AIDS IN AFRICA: DESPAIR AND DENIAL AIDS in Africa: An Overview of the Problem

In 1997/98, just as the developing HIV/ practitioners available, and society’s Did you know . . . AIDS epidemic was beginning to attract leaders, including top political and The nation with the the world’s attention, the World Bank business figures, were not providing highest rate of HIV infection in the issued a report with the following positive role models in terms of their world is Swaziland projections on how the crisis was likely sexual behaviour. Despite efforts by the in Africa. A stag- to unfold. The report concluded that the UN and other agencies to promote a gering 38 per cent peak of the epidemic was far from greater use of condoms to prevent of adults are HIV- being reached at the time it was written. infection, most young African males positive. However, AIDS had already become were extremely reluctant to alter their the continent’s main cause of death sexual practices. Almost without excep- among young adults between the ages tion, the countries of sub-Saharan of 15 and 49. Death rates for other Africa were dependent on AIDS control diseases, such as malaria and tuberculo- programs funded and administered by sis, had also risen dramatically as a foreign sources and not by their own result of the spread of HIV. Although governments. the poor were the main sufferers, AIDS In June 2005, the UN’s AIDS com- spared no one. The disease even struck mittee issued another report, which down the relatives of African heads of largely confirmed the predictions of the state, such as Zambia’s Kenneth 1997/98 World Bank study. By this Kaunda and ’s Nelson time, the number of people living with Mandela. HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa had Rates of HIV infection topped 30 per risen to 34.3 million, a figure larger cent among young adults in urban and than the total population of Canada. semi-urban areas. It was predicted that Among them were 1.3 million children countries such as Botswana and Zimba- under the age of 15. Despite widespread bwe would lose between a quarter and a efforts to control the spread of the half of their 1996 urban work force by disease through education and preventa- 2005. In , life expectancy tive measures, African adults and would be 21 years lower by 2004 than it children were becoming infected at an would have been without the virus. increasingly higher rate. This was the Children with only one parent or no only part of the world where this trend parents would most likely not attend continued. The infection rates for some school, thus rendering them largely countries were truly staggering, for unemployable and destined to lives of example Botswana: 35.8 per cent of the utter destitution. AIDS would strike the total population, Zimbabwe: 25.8 per skilled labour force severely, causing a cent, and South Africa: 19 per cent. loss of urban-based workers of up to 30 With the health-care centres totally per cent by 2005. overwhelmed by the sheer number of What limited financial resources most HIV/AIDS cases, most of those suffer- sub-Saharan African countries pos- ing from the disease were receiving sessed were not being effectively what limited attention they could hope utilized in the battle against AIDS. for at home. Many AIDS victims were There were too few skilled medical also suffering the additional social

CBC News in Review • January 2006 • Page 37 stigma of being viewed as pariahs or June 2002 and focuses on the spread of outcasts, ostracized because their AIDS in Zimbabwe: “immorality” was responsible for their “In the Harare suburb, at the fate. Mashamzou Centre, a small group of In the conclusion to her influential orphans play together. They are among article “The Lessons of HIV/AIDS,” the legion of nine million children who published in the July-August 2005 issue have lost one parent or both to the of the prestigious journal Foreign African AIDS epidemic. Here, these Affairs, Laurie Garrett offered the children get clothes and food—enough following observations regarding what to survive. For other youngsters, this the HIV/AIDS epidemic may mean for centre is a place to die. Matilda and the world in the century to come: Leona have full-blown AIDS. They “In the aftermath of September 11, were born with the virus that will 2001, the United States tends to define eventually kill them before they reach all national security concerns through their teen years. Leona is frail. She’s the prism of terrorism. That framework 12, but she looks no older than six or is overly limited even for the United seven. She seems sad and tired, yet she States, and an absurdly narrow template smiled when I asked her if she liked to apply to the security of most other school. ‘Yes,’ she said, ‘particularly countries. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is mathematics and science.’ But the odds aggravating a laundry list of underlying are that she will never finish high tensions in developing, declining, and school. failed states. As the burden of death due “Sixteen-year-old Priscilla wishes she to HIV/AIDS skyrockets around the could go back to school. But she is too world over the next five to 10 years, the weak. Three months ago, on death’s disease may well play a more profound doorstep, her aunt brought her to the role on the security stage of many centre. The Catholic sisters took her in nations and present the wealthy world and nursed her back to life. But her fate with a challenge the likes of which it is sealed too. She is in the advanced has never experienced. How countries, stages of AIDS. When she was nine rich and poor, frame HIV/AIDS within years old, her uncle repeatedly raped their national security debates today her. He was infected. Priscilla whispers, may well determine how well they ‘My uncle raped me and then the sick- respond to the massive grief, demo- ness started.’ Once she became sick, her graphic destruction, and security threats mother rejected her. ‘My mother is a that the pandemic will present tomor- teacher, she does not want to see me. row.” She said, “you are HIV positive. You Statistics and conclusions such as give others your sickness.”’ Her aunt these serve to illustrate the sheer dimen- and her niece are now her only family. sions of the problem, but do not provide “The harsh reality of these ruined a human face for it. In order to obtain lives is painful to witness. Fathers and such an insight into the tragedy of HIV/ mothers burying their children. Grand- AIDS and how it is affecting young mothers and grandfathers raising their people in Africa, here is a selection children’s children. ‘This disease will from Avril Benoit’s documentary, destroy everybody. Clear up every- “How Are You Siama?” which was body,’ says 68-year-old Mathius broadcast on CBC’s The Current in Kaseke. He buried his son-in-law a few

CBC News in Review • January 2006 • Page 38 months ago. Last week he attended his asks Mathius. ‘Nobody,’ he says, granddaughter’s funeral. He will even- ‘unless scientists find a cure.’” tually do the same for his own daughter. Source: CBC News Indepth: AIDS in All of them are victims of AIDS. ‘Who Africa is going to make the next generation?’

Inquiry 1. How do the findings of the 2005 UN report on AIDS in Africa confirm the predictions made in the World Bank study of 1997/98?

2. In what ways are both statistics and stories of individual victims of HIV/ AIDS in Africa necessary and useful in providing people in other countries with a fuller understanding of the dimensions of the problem and its impact on the people of Africa?

3. Do you think a cure will be found for HIV/AIDS? Explain.

4. What kind of future will the countries of sub-Saharan Africa face if the HIV/AIDS epidemic is not checked soon? How might this affect the rest of the world?

CBC News in Review • January 2006 • Page 39 AIDS IN AFRICA: DESPAIR AND DENIAL Canada’s Role in the War on AIDS in Africa

Canada has committed itself to provid- became the first Western country to act Archives ing cheap generic antiretroviral drugs on an agreement by the World Trade Canada has its own (ARVs) that can suppress the HIV virus Organization (WTO) that called on serious AIDS prob- lem. To learn more by boosting the patient’s immune member nations to provide cheap drugs about the roots of system. These drugs are commonly to developing countries in order to fight this situation, visit available to HIV sufferers in rich coun- the HIV/AIDS epidemic. the CBC Digital tries like Canada, but are far beyond the The new Canadian legislation will Archives at reach of most poor Africans affected by permit Canadian drug companies to www.cbc.ca/ the disease. The program was initiated sign contracts with poor countries to archives and view the file “The Early under former prime minister Jean supply cheap, generic versions of the Years of the AIDS Chrétien and has continued under Paul ARVs. Companies supplying these Crisis.” Martin’s administration. As the 2004 generic versions of brand-name pat- throne speech stated, Canada would act ented pharmaceuticals will pay the to provide these drugs as soon as possible. patent-holders a royalty of two per cent. , the Canadian who This will result in tremendous savings serves as the UN’s special envoy for for African recipients of the ARV AIDS in Africa, regards this move as a drugs, which usually cost between “stunning breakthrough,” and one that $8 000 and $15 000 per person. The other Western countries should emulate. generic versions cost only $250. Elated Lewis has been harsh in his condemna- by the Canadian government’s decision, tion of the lack of action of most West- Lewis stated: “as the Internet carries ern countries on this emerging crisis, news of the Canadian initiative, I accusing their governments of being realized there was no turning back, that guilty of “mass murder by compla- this had now become a cause célèbre, cency.” With the introduction of the something which Canadians and so legislation in October 2003, Canada many others wish to do.”

Analysis 1. Why does Stephen Lewis regard Canada’s decision to provide Africa with generic drugs to fight AIDS as such a major international breakthrough?

2. Do you think Canada should use its influence with other countries, such as the United States, to adopt a similar policy regarding the provision of generic drugs to combat AIDS in Africa and other poor areas of the world where they are needed? Explain.

CBC News in Review • January 2006 • Page 40 AIDS IN AFRICA: DESPAIR AND DENIAL Stephen Lewis’s Battle against AIDS in Africa

Stephen Lewis is a very prominent as the last refuge of the intellectual wimp.” Further Research Canadian who has dedicated much of Lewis is particularly scathing in his To learn more his life and energy to the fight against criticisms of world leaders, including about the UN’s initiatives in fight- AIDS in Africa. Formerly the Ontario Canada’s Paul Martin, for their failure ing the spread of leader of the NDP and Canada’s ambas- to meet the goals of the Millennium HIV/AIDs visit the sador to the United Nations, Lewis has Development program set at a G8 UNAIDS site at found the cause of promoting awareness conference in 2000 to check the spread www.unaids.org. of the magnitude of the disaster facing of poverty and disease in Africa. At that Africa to be all-consuming. After UN meeting, a 15-year timeframe was Secretary General Kofi Annan ap- agreed upon to reach a number of pointed him as the international body’s important benchmarks, including reduc- chief AIDS envoy to Africa, Lewis has ing hunger and child and maternal worked tirelessly to remind world mortality, the establishment of universal leaders and individual citizens of rich, primary education, and curbing the Western countries of their global respon- spread of AIDS. But a third of the way sibility to come to Africa’s assistance. He along, none of these goals has even rarely minces words in his stinging come close to being achieved. Instead attacks on those who prefer to ignore the they seem to be disappearing as Africa’s problem or find excuses to justify their problems become even more acute. lack of concerted action to address it. Such poor results drive Lewis into In his recent Massey Lectures, deliv- something approaching an intellectual ered across Canada and published in frenzy. He holds the G8 countries, and book form as Race Against Time, Lewis their leaders, personally responsible for heaps scorn on the slow-moving bu- the failure to meet the Millennium reaucracy of the very organization that Development goals, and also indicts employs him. He calls it “paralyzed,” powerful international financial bodies “uncritical,” “preposterously deferen- like the World Bank and the IMF. tial,” afflicted by a “congenital timid- According to Lewis, these agencies ity,” and trapped in a “boy’s club have imposed totally unrealistic loan mindset” that prevents it from under- and aid conditions on poor countries, standing how African women are forcing them to adopt neo-liberal eco- especially impacted by the crisis. Lewis nomic policies that have slashed spend- has always been known to speak his ing on health care, education, and social mind and has never shirked from con- programs. These policies have made it troversy in his long career in public life. very difficult to fight the HIV/AIDS But his denunciations of those who epidemic. In Lewis’s words, “the IMF prefer to deny the extent of the problem and the World Bank simply fail to Africa is facing with HIV/AIDS are understand that you don’t deny the stronger than even his most stinging hiring of health professionals, in the previous pronouncements. In Race face of an apocalypse.” Against Time he states that “there is a However, it is the UN itself that tendency to think that dissent should be comes in for his sharpest attacks. For contained, or that self censorship should example, he cannot fathom the inability be applauded. I regard both sentiments of UNICEF, the UN’s children’s fund,

CBC News in Review • January 2006 • Page 41 which he once headed, to abolish fees have soured after Martin failed to keep for primary education in poor countries. his promise to raise the level of He also castigates the UN’s leadership Canada’s foreign aid. for its male chauvinist attitudes, which In addition to his role as UN AIDS prevent it from fully comprehending envoy, Lewis has also single-handedly how women in poor countries are created the Stephen Lewis Foundation affected by poverty and the spread of (www.stephenlewisfoundation.org), a infectious diseases. He holds the UN non-governmental organization he particularly responsible for leading the heads. Among its purposes are to battle against AIDS and poverty be- increase global awareness and educa- cause of its international importance tion about HIV/AIDS, provide assis- and connections with powerful world tance to those suffering from the dis- leaders. Among them were the promi- ease, especially in Africa, and inspire nent figures who met in July 2005 at individual Canadians to become more Gleneagles, Scotland, at the G8 summit involved in the fight against it. Lewis hosted by British Prime Minister Tony uses events such as the Massey Lec- Blair. At that summit, the leaders tures to raise the level of public con- agreed to the doubling of foreign aid to sciousness regarding the crisis and has Africa by 2010. But Lewis is extremely raised tens of thousands of dollars for skeptical that this goal will be reached, the foundation to conduct its programs. given the same countries’ failure to In his view, the world truly is involved meet the Millennium Development in a “race against time” in the battle Goals set half a decade ago. against AIDS. As he notes, “we have a Figures from the world of entertain- historic pandemic that is sweeping ment, such as rock stars Bono and Bob across this world. It has no precedent in Geldof, the organizer of the worldwide human history. It has already exceeded Live 8 concerts, also come in for their the Black Death of the 14th century; it share of Lewis’s criticisms. He portrays will vastly exceed the number of deaths Geldof, for example, as having “an in both world wars in the 20th century. incestuous proximity to government.” This is of a proportion that the world As he notes, “It’s not an unusual pro- has never encountered or struggled with cess, this exercise in self-hypnosis. You before.” As far as Stephen Lewis is get caught up in the sense of power and concerned, it is a fight that the world excitement and influence, and lose cannot afford to lose. perspective.” Lewis believes that Bono too may have fallen victim to this, Sources for Lewis quotes: “Lewis Un- leashed,” Maclean’s, October 24, 2005, especially in his relationship with Paul and for the last quote, Presbyterian Martin, which, however, appears to Record, May 2004 Understanding 1. Why does Stephen Lewis feel so passionately about the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa? Do you share his concern? 2. Who does Lewis mainly blame for the world’s failure so far to successfully address the ongoing HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa? Do you agree? Explain. 3. Why is Lewis so highly regarded around the world as a spokesperson on the AIDS issue? What personal characteristics does he possess that qualify him for such a public role?

CBC News in Review • January 2006 • Page 42 AIDS IN AFRICA: DESPAIR AND DENIAL Preventing AIDS: An Educational Campaign

Form groups with your classmates to research the issue of HIV/AIDS in Canada Did you know . . . and/or around the world. Your research should focus on the following: Other parts of the world have large • Find out what preventative measures have been advocated to control the HIV-infected spread of the disease and help those it has already infected. populations too. • Examine the reasons why such measures have not been fully implemented in These include India many parts of the world. with five million • Focus particularly on the problem of HIV/AIDS in Africa and why the disease is HIV-infected citi- so much more prevalent there than it is in other parts of the world. zens. • Evaluate the role that government, international associations, and non-gov- ernmental organizations (NGOs) are playing in the global anti-AIDS fight. • Use the Internet and other resources to learn more about bodies such as Health Canada (www.hc-sc.gc.ca) and the World Health Organization (www.who.int), and their contributions to the struggle against AIDS.

Once your group has finished researching its topic, present the information you have obtained in the form of a poster campaign focused on the next World AIDS Day (December 1, 2006). Display the posters in class, and lead a discussion with your classmates that focuses on the information and images, etc., pre- sented in them.

Research Notes:

CBC News in Review • January 2006 • Page 43