Jakarta – Religious leaders including an HIV/AIDS-infected Anglican reverend pledged Monday to work together to take an active role in the prevention and fight against HIV/AIDS.

The pact was made by seven leaders from different religions at the National Interfaith War Against AIDS meeting in Jakarta, which focused particularly on better sex education for children and women.

Visiting guest speaker, Ugandan Anglican Rev. Canon Gideon Baguma Byamugisha, who announced he had HIV/AIDS in 1992, was joined by representatives from groups including the Indonesian Hindu Religious Council, the Indonesian Bishops Conference, the Council of Buddhist Communities and Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama Muslim organizations.

During the meeting it was pointed out that society must not reject people with HIV/AIDS and that early sex education was essential.

Priest Benny Susetyo of the Indonesian Bishops Conference said, "Society must be able to support those living with HIV/AIDS so they can have the spirit to continue their lives".

Andreas Yewangoe of the Indonesian Churches Union said he agreed with Benny. "People with HIV/ AIDS are still human," he said. "The whole sense of humanity... must not be reduced just because they have (HIV/AIDS)."

Benny added that problems relative to HIV infection were actually attached to ethical and moral matters. "We acknowledge the need for sex education as early as possible for children," he said.

Gideon, who has been living with HIV/AIDS for 16 years said, "The stigma toward AIDS is not just a matter of social rejection – it could also effect policies such as state budget issues". He said the majority of funds raised in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Uganda came from foreign donors.

The 48-year old reverend is believed to be the first practicing religious leader in Africa to declare his HIV positive status.

Budi Tanuwibowo of the Indonesian Supreme Council for Confucian Religion said religious leaders needed to voice their own thoughts and opinions on the issue of HIV/AIDS.

"Advocating real issues like HIV/AIDS in sermons is one thing that religious leaders can do," he said. "Family values must become the foundation for children's education. That's why it's important to be more open to discussing sex among parents and their children."

Budi also said housewives needed to be better informed and aware of potential infection from their husbands. Andreas mentioned female condoms as a way to empower women to exercise their rights and to protect themselves.

Gideon emphasized during the meeting a much-needed change was required in the public's perception of a stereotypical HIV/AIDS patient. The religious leaders agreed the stereotype must be moved away from needle-using drug users and people living promiscuous lifestyles – because so many other people were potentially at risk.

The national meeting was facilitated by the National AIDS Commission, Christian NGO World Vision Indonesia, and the Indonesian Interfaith Network on HIV/AIDS.

Secretary for the National AIDS Commission Nafsiah Mboi said Rp 100 million (US$11,000) had been allocated for the start-up of HIV/AIDS activities for the involved religious institutions.