Scholarships for students, others to attend International AIDS Conference

by Melissa Ramirez Cooper

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
is offering scholarships for seminarians, students
and others ages 18-26 to attend the International
AIDS Conference July 31-Aug. 9, 2008, in Mexico City.
Held every two years, the conference draws more
than 20,000 health workers, government representatives,
people living with HIV and AIDS, and others. This
year's theme is "Universal Action Now."

Around the world people ages 15 to 25 make up nearly
half of all new HIV infections, said Emily Davila,
assistant to the director, Lutheran Office for World
Community, New York. Davila said the International
AIDS Conference offers "a great learning and advocacy
opportunity for young people." At former conferences,
young people met with world leaders to advocate for
policies that address the needs of youth, she said.

Young people are encouraged to apply for the scholarships,
particularly those "that have a strong commitment to
justice and experience in HIV and AIDS, community
development, organizing, youth participation, public
health and related topics," said Davila. Applicants
must reside in the United States and have "a substantive
connection to the ELCA," she said. Made possible by the
ELCA World Hunger Program, scholarships include
prearranged housing, transportation and a stipend for
meals. "We encourage applicants to seek additional
funds from their local congregations, universities and
communities," which will help secure funds to accommodate
more participants, said Davila. Scholarship applications
-- available as a PDF file on the ELCA World Hunger Web
site -- are due May 23.