WCC NEWS: In Bolivia, WCC reflects on progress and challenges of 40 years response to HIV

Gracia Violeta Ross, WCC programme executive for HIV, Reproductive Health, and Pandemics, offered two presentations in Bolivia, the first a training for leaders living with HIV on planning and project design for community-based organizations, and the second a keynote speech, entitled “40 years of the HIV response in Bolivia, progress and challenges,” offered at an art museum’s exhibition closure in Santa Cruz, which is the largest city in the country, with 42% of HIV cases in Bolivia, Gracia Violeta Ross, WCC programme executive for HIV, Reproductive Health, and Pandemic. Photo: WCC 22 January 2025 The training drew 37 community leaders who focused on essential planning tools and action plans or projects. Ross offered tips on distinguish between goals, objectives, activities, and tasks. She also covered the ability to work in a multi-sectoral and interdisciplinary space.  “A project should come from the needs of our community,” said Ross. “This implies that we are connected and we know the problems and the solutions.” Ross also reflected that a project should respond to a specific need or achieve a stated objective. “For example, there is a law on social protection mechanisms for people with HIV who have disabilities but it is not fulfilled—then we do a project to make it fulfilled,” she said. “What needs to be changed and how?” Ross also suggested analyzing the power scenario. “Who has the power to decide, to produce the desired change?” she asked. “Who wins and who loses?” In her keynote speech at the art museum, Ross congratulated the organizers on the initiative to reflect on 40 years of response to HIV in Bolivia. The closure event brought more than 200 people. “Let's celebrate the achievements but let's not think that the epidemic is over,” she said. “Bolivia still has serious challenges in the response to HIV,” citing stigma and discrimination, resulting in chronic depression, lack of self-esteem, isolation, and mistreatment from families, partners, employers, fellow students, and neighbors. See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland