Fletcher Matandika, founder and director of Ministries of Hope, a program in Malawi which provides food, medical care and emotional support for AIDS orphans, echoed the intense need for activism.

“AIDS is breaking the fabric of the area, it’s tearing apart society,” he said.

The panel was one of three events yesterday that kicked off AIDS Week. Alex de Waal, an adviser to the U.N. Commission for Africa, gave a speech on the effect of HIV/AIDS on humanitarian efforts in Africa, and the founder of an AIDS orphanage in Africa spoke about HIV orphans.

“We want to focus on mobilizing student to see how the world really is, and realize that we have the power to change it,” HAC President Yi-An Huang ’05 said. “Students [need] to look beyond the idea that we have to go to college, get a position, and then have an effect.”

“There are so many facets to this discussion and how pervasive the issue is, that we cannot focus on one issue,” McCarthy said. “We’re looking at preventative measures, advocacy, service, and how to pressure the government to give money for treatments and programs.”

The week will close with a barbecue at Quincy House on Friday evening, featuring booths sponsored by a number of student groups, who will discuss the impact of AIDS outside Africa, Huang said.

In addition to discussions and lectures, HAC will also hold a call-in campaign every day this week to spur action on an AIDS relief bill currently before the House International Relations Committee.

“We are doing a call-in to Congressman [Henry J.] Hyde (R-Ill.) because right now there is a big AIDS bill, the most comprehensive bill ever, stuck in the House committee,” Huang said. “If it doesn’t get out by the New Year, it’s probably just going to die.”

This year marks Harvard’s third annual AIDS Week, and is part of events at colleges around the country. Events this week will also include daily free HIV testing and an AIDS art display in Loker Commons.