c. 2007 Religion News Service

WASHINGTON _ The Bush administration has been very, very good to faith-based organizations. After laboring in obscurity for decades, many groups are now basking in the spotlight of the faith-based initiative, giving them unprecedented access to federal funds, media attention and the clout that comes from having a significant voice with policy makers.

The international community, however, has not been nearly as generous.

While faith groups deliver a significant percentage of international humanitarian services, they typically receive a disproportionately smaller amount of multilateral funding. At international conferences, faith groups often feel misunderstood and derided for their emphasis on behavior-based models, especially in HIV/AIDS prevention.

But in a move that may indicate an international shift in intent and attention, the newly elected head of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria came here last week (May 9) and spent a significant amount of his time in conversation with the faith-based community.

Speaking at a luncheon attended by representatives of more than 40 faith-based organizations, Dr. Michel Kazatchkine outlined the agenda for his term and said unequivocally, “The Global Fund is committed to engaging with faith groups.”

In addition to his promise, Kazatchkine endorsed a manual aimed at helping faith-based organizations negotiate the sometimes confusing process of gaining access to funds dispersed at the local level overseas.

The potential payoff is significant. In less than five years, the Global Fund has distributed more than $7 billion through grants to groups fighting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

The manual, co-sponsored by Friends of the Global Fight, World Vision and Christian Connections for International Health, offers faith groups practical advice on seeking funds. It also offers case studies on groups like Catholic Relief Services and the Churches Health Association of Zambia that received significant grants. The luncheon presentation was also sponsored by DATA, the relief group co-founded by U2 frontman Bono.

“The handbook and today’s briefing are both indicative of the Global Fund’s commitment to successfully engaging with and working alongside the faith community in the fight against the three diseases,” said Natasha Bilimoria, executive director of Friends of the Global Fight. “If we hope to make a difference, faith groups must be part of the process.”

Many of the representatives at the luncheon expressed hopes of moving forward with proposals. Jo Anne Lyon, president of World Hope International, said, “We are optimistic about seeing if we can access funds to help support our work.”

But others were skeptical. Claude Allen, vice president of the Gerard Health Foundation, said, “The manual is a good product for those who want to know how to engage in the process with the Global Fund, but that’s not the issue.”

Allen, who was President Bush’s top domestic policy adviser until he resigned last year and later pleaded guilty to shoplifting from Target, added, “We want faith-based groups to have a fair and level playing field if they apply for funds. Global Fund personnel and processes have been biased against faith groups.”

Allen claimed Kazatchkine’s visit was really an attempt to quell concerns by groups like Focus on the Family and Congress about how American taxpayer funds are being used. The U.S. government has contributed nearly $2 billion to the Fund.

While all critics were not quieted, many organizations seemed optimistic about the potential for working with the Global Fund in the future. They were pleased by the effort to engage them.

“Commissioning this primer for faith organizations demonstrates that the Global Fund is committed to better engaging with groups that are leaders in providing care, services and expertise in the fight against these three devastating diseases,” said Robert Zachritz, World Vision’s senior policy advisor for global development. “This is a step in the right direction to empower better collaboration.”

(Dale Hanson Bourke is the author of “The Skeptic’s Guide to the Global AIDS Crisis.”)

KRE/LFEND BOURKEA photo of this columnist, and of Michel Kazatchkine at the luncheon, are available via https://religionnews.com