Religious leaders from around the world — including Rev. Calvin O. Butts II, chairman of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS — convened  March 22 and 23 in “The Summit of High-Level Religious Leaders” in the Netherlands. At the summit, the leaders agreed that faith leaders must play a larger role in fighting AIDS, saying the disease is growing “exponentially” and pledging “a renewed sense of urgency” to the fight. Participants in  issued a statement that included a “call to action” urging faith leaders as well as the government, the media and the public to do more and to change attitudes.

* Read a summary of the summit here.

* See NBLCA’s press release about the summit here.

* See Statements of Personal Commitment signed by summit participants here.

* See various documents and statements (including Rev. Butts’ statement) from the summit here.