By PAUL ROSENDALL

The Terrapin Times Staff Writer

Are you aware that AIDS has already killed over 22 million people, and that 42 million more are infected worldwide? With most of the impoverished victims living overseas, it may seem difficult for the average college student to make a difference in this struggle. However, there is one group of students here at the University of Maryland determined to help those in need through various fundraisers, protests and events. They make up the UM chapter of Student Global AIDS Campaign (SGAC), a national group founded at Harvard University several years ago. At one of their weekly meetings in October, they proclaimed their message about in order to get fellow students to understand this issue and how they intend to make change.

            After introductions, the first thing on the agenda was for each member to share any recent news they had heard regarding progress to defeat AIDS. One student said that Canada will soon start developing more effective medicine to export to third-world countries. Another mentioned a new group in our community formed with motives similar to those of SGAC. This round-robin style activity was effective in creating a sense of optimism and getting everyone on the same page.

            By the time the meeting ended, this group’s targeted approach to solving the problem was clear. They have a three-step method: “donate the dollars, drop the debt and treat the people.” Their first argument was that poor nations don’t have the money necessary for successful AIDS prevention and treatment clinics. Several group members have been active in urging President Bush to come through with his promise to donate $3 billion this year to fight AIDS.

            Another important message was for the United States to negotiate debt cancellation for poor countries through the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. While President Bush’s Plan for AIDS Relief will give $15 billion over 5 years to 14 nations, these countries paid $9.1 billion in foreign debt payments in 2001. The group argues that poor nations cannot fight AIDS if they also have to fight their impending debt.

            Looking to the future, SGAC has reason to be optimistic. December 1 is World AIDS Day, which will serve as the kick-off day for SGAC’s new international partners in Europe, Japan and Africa. “Locally, we’ve collaborated with GW and Georgetown,” said sophomore Treasurer Jessica Ennis. “The UM chapter is just building up, and hopefully over the coming months we’ll see increased attendance at our meetings.”

If you’d like to learn more this group’s purpose and agenda, check out their website at www.fightglobalaids.org or contact Akenji Ndumu, a senior member of the UM chapter of SGAC, at akenji@wam.umd.edu.