Building on the success of last year’s event, the Stop AIDS Campaign Parliamentary Day of Action earlier this month has added serious strength to the voices of those fighting for greater attention to be paid by the UK Government to issues surrounding HIV and AIDS.

On March 11th, over 60 student campaigners descended on London to lobby their MPs about HIV in the developing world. Despite the slightly dismal weather on the day, the energy of the campaigners and organizers was high. The day’s events began at the Emmanuel Centre, in Westminster under the shadow of Parliament, with a briefing and panel discussion on HIV and AIDS and international development. Participating in the panel were Martin Kalunga-Banda of Oxfam, Michelle Childs of Knowledge Ecology International, Steve Cockburn, the coordinator of the Stop AIDS Campaign, and Sally Joss, the acting mediator, from the UK Consortium on AIDS and International Development. Also present, as the keynote speaker, was Andrew Mitchell MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for International Development.

The wide range of expertise represented by each participant contributed to a thoroughly informative session. Mr. Kalunga-Banda spoke about his own experiences in Zambia, a country where HIV prevalence is at 17% of the population, as well as about his experiences caring for family members living with HIV and AIDS. As the first person to speak, his words immediately brought into focus the realities of the cause the campaigners were there to fight for. Next the group heard from Michelle Childs about the battle with governments and pharmaceutical companies over drug prices and access to treatment for all. Speaking third was Steve Cockburn. As a precursor to Mr. Mitchell, he spoke like a true Stop AIDS Campaigner, detailing the urgency of action needed in addressing HIV and AIDS. He brought up important points for Mr. Mitchell to address and made clear that the Stop AIDS Campaign is a passionate and informed coalition with steady eyes on Government and Opposition.

Finally, Mr. Mitchell spoke about the Conservative point of view on HIV, AIDS, international development and the UK’s responsibilities in all of it. Though opinions on the sincerity and worth of Mr. Mitchell’s statements varied, all seemed to be in concurrence that his presence was valuable nonetheless. At the end of his speech, Mr. Mitchell maintained David Cameron’s commitment to international development, but was sure to temper this pronouncement by noting that as much as the Conservatives would like to progress on these points, “we can’t do anything until we get into Government.”

After Mr. Mitchell finished speaking, the floor opened up to questions by campaigners for any of the panel members. Not surprisingly, the students were hungry for more information from the Shadow Minister and so it was up to Sally Joss to keep the entire panel involved. By the end of the session, Mr. Mitchell had agreed to meet with Stop AIDS Campaign about drug pricing in developing countries, and reaffirmed the Conservatives’ commitment to fully funding the Global Fund (should they get into power), yet he had conveniently avoided agreeing to support the call for £2.5 billion in AIDS funding, the UK’s fair share of providing Universal Access. Should the Tories come to power, and even despite an open dialogue with the party, more lobbying will still be necessary.

Taking the Campaign into Parliament

After a short break for lunch, the campaigners were back at it again, and on their way to Parliament for meetings with individual MPs of all three major parties. The campaigners spoke with 30 different MPs or their staff, many groups of students making an effort to reach out to more than one MP. More MPs were lobbied this year than last, as campaigners came prepared to take action. This is certainly a sign that the Parliamentary Day of Action is progressing as an influential event. Feedback from the campaigners on their meetings with MPs was overwhelmingly positive, with many able to secure active support. In fact, a Westminster Hall debate has already taken place, multiple questions have been tabled for Parliamentary discussion and dozens of MPs have vowed to write to the Secretary of State for International Development, Douglas Alexander MP, about HIV and AIDS issues.

Meeting the Japanese Ambassador

Meanwhile, most campaigners attended meetings at Parliament, but a small contingent of Stop AIDS personnel ventured to the Japanese embassy for a meeting with the Ambassador regarding HIV/AIDS and the 2008 G8 Summit, to be held in Hokkaido, Japan. The main goal of the meeting was to reiterate how important it is for the eight nations to remain committed to their goal of Universal Access to treatment, prevention, and care by 2010.

Rallying at 10 Downing Street

Following these official meetings was an exuberant rally at Whitehall outside of 10 Downing Street. 25,000 signatures were handed in as a sign of the public keeping an eye on Government attention to HIV/AIDS issues and goals. As a small delegation of Stop AIDS representatives disappeared behind the gates at the entrance to Downing Street, the crowd of campaigners gathered opposite shouted and blared horns in support. They were certainly a sight to behold with their red t-shirts, big signs and bunch upon bunch of red balloons.



When the delegates reemerged from 10 Downing Street, the whole group made its way to a pub to celebrate the successes of the day. After a panel and Q-and-A, meetings at Parliament and a rally at Whitehall, the Government is surely well-aware that the world is watching and waiting for action.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 26th, 2008 at 6:29 pm and is filed under Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.