The Anglican Church of Canada, through the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) and other agencies, is gearing up for its participation in events that will lead up to the 16th International AIDS Conference to be held in Toronto Aug. 13 to 18.Anglican youth are expected to be part of Nidus, a three-day festival where people “from all streams of Christian faith” will gather for music, worship, drama and dance in Kitchener, Ont., on Aug. 4 to 6. About 3,000 youth are expected to attend the event. Cost of attending the festival is $60 before ($95 after) May 1. Rob Shearer is the contact: (416) 972-9494 ext. 25, or at nidus@ccc-cce.ca
PWRDF has donated 3,000 “Stop AIDS” bracelets to the event and an Anglican service will be offered on Sunday, Aug. 6.
On Aug. 10 to 11, Anglicans will join 500 Christian delegates to an Ecumenical Pre-Conference. Registration to the conference ends May 9. For more information, visit the Web site www.e-alliance.ch/iac.jsp.
An inter-faith day is also being organized for Aug. 12. For more information, contact Douglas Graydon at dgraydon@toronto.anglican.ca.
The International AIDS Conference (www.aids2006.org) is expected to draw more than 15,000 health workers, government representatives, activists, corporate leaders, religious leaders and people living with HIV and AIDS. The conference is held every two years.