Buddhist dignitaries and officials in charge of religious affairs from cities and provinces northwards of Quang Tri are attending a conference on Buddhist Leadership Initiative in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

At the conference, convened by the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) and the UNICEF in Vietnam from Oct. 26-30, the participants will be updated with information related to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, its socio-economic impacts and the need to provide consultancy for HIV/AIDS carriers and affected people.

They will discuss concrete solutions to increase the role played by Buddhist dignitaries and followers in curbing the spreading of HIV/AIDS in accordance with the Buddhist dogmas and concrete conditions in their localities.

Over the recent years, religions in Vietnam in general and Buddhism in particularly have actively taken part in the country’s fight against HIV/AIDS.

Dignitaries of six religions adopted a joint commitment to fight against the epidemic in November 2006.

The Buddhist Leadership Initiative programme, launched by the VFF in coordination with the National Committee for Population, Family and Children and the UNFICEF in late 2002, has been carried out in many provinces and cities in Vietnam , particularly in southern provinces and Hanoi .

The programme has become part of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s annual programme of action at all levels./.