Thirteen Northwestern students interacted with counterparts from across the globe via videoconference Tuesday afternoon to discuss how to fight the global spread of HIV.
The Forum Room of University Library held two TV screens projecting nine pictures, each showing live video feed of representatives from Brazil, Indiana University, University of Kansas, Marquette University, Stanford University, and African countries Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Mauritania. Americans for Informed Democracy organized NU’s portion of the event in conjunction with its Winter Quarter series, Fighting for What’s Right.
During the conference, country representatives were given about a minute of speaking time and spoke in a predetermined order. The group discussed the consequences of poverty, poor health care and sex education on the spread of HIV and AIDS.
“We need prevention based on evidence, not ideology,” said a representative of Brazil on the topic of sex education.
These sentiments were reflected by other participants when they considered the prevalence of abstinence-only programs, which don’t include information about contraception.
“We need to create an environment where it is safe to seek prevention and treatment for HIV/AIDS,” said Laura Frye, a student from University of Kansas.
For one representative from Burkina Faso, the topic of U.S. spending was a main issue. He repeatedly criticized U.S. budget priorities.
“Why not try to divert money, like money for the war in Iraq, to fighting AIDS and helping to fight poverty?” he asked.
But a representative from Brazil said he thinks there is enough money circulating to address the problems.
“The question is not about money,” he said. “It’s about how to make this money work.”
The United Nations needs to stifle world conflict, a representative from Cote d’Ivoire said.
“When we are in peace, we can think of how to solve problems of health and economy,” he said.
Aside from these problems, American students specifically addressed the need for the U.S. mentality to change from individualism to a global perspective.
Caroline Kemp, president of AID, said she thinks the videoconference helped connect students directly to the problem, calling it “successful and inspiring.”
“It makes the issue seem so much more humane,” said Kemp, a Weinberg sophomore. “You can put a face to the issues.”
Medill freshman Alyssa Urish attended the event and said it gave her a better perspective on what lies ahead in the battle against the virus.
“It just kind of gave you sense of hope that, yes, we don’t have a cure for AIDS at this time, but all these people are working together to find a cure for it,” she said.
As part of its ongoing winter series, AID will host the forum, Facing Global Health Challenges next Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the McCormick Tribune auditorium.
Reach Jasett Chatham at [email protected].
