XVII International AIDS Conference Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance Pre-Conference Mexico City 30 th July 2 nd Aug Faith in Action Now  Section: Theology for Action  Topic: “Theological training in equipping church leaders to respond to HIV & AIDS leaders to respond to HIV & AIDS through curricula development and through curricula development and internship” internship”

Welcome  My name is Rev. Dr. Banner Makan Consultant. Presenting this Consultant. Presenting this session in Partnership with Tearfund, UK. session in Partnership with Tearfund, UK.  My colleague Mr. Timothy Gaikwad, Director of IMCARES, Mumbai, Director of IMCARES, Mumbai, India, also a partner of Tearfund, UK. India, also a partner of Tearfund, UK.

Would you please Introduce yourself!  Name:  Country:  What do you do?  What do you expect from this session and conference? (Story of the IT migrant & Fly) What is the attitude of Bible colleges; the teachers & students in your country?

What is God’s intention for us in the world of HIV & AIDS?  Establishing the Kingdom of God in the world of suffering in this context  Building relationship: Oneself with God, Oneself with self, Oneself with others, Oneself with Environment/Nature  It will come through the power of the Holy Spirit (Matt12:28) and teachings of Jesus Christ; Begin small & spread out, provide security/rest/needs met/impact the world for transformation (Matt 13:31- 31). Impacting and preserving lives (Matt 5:13-15). Love God, love the world (Matt 13:37)

What is God’s intention for us in the world of HIV & AIDS?  Our Worldview that separates: Sacred from Secular, Spiritual from Physical, Faith from Reason, Evangelism from Social Action, Full time Christian ministry from job/occupation/profession, an integration of these is required (Integral Mission) Keeping this in mind a ministry formation curriculum is being developed.

“Designing training in equipping church leaders to respond to HIV-AIDS through curricula development and internship” Theology in Action  I believe any theology developed has to be action oriented, put them into practice.  AIDS work without drastic action will not bring change.  When we started lobbying/advocating with the Bible colleges and Seminaries in India & Asia we had two things in mind; (1). Develop an acceptable curriculum with the seminary fraternity and (2). Train them to teach the subject. (both in the CD).

The theories and biblical foundations are to be developed by theological teachers/scholars in response to the cultural requirements. Before such foundations are developed: 1.Sensitize Institutions for participation 2.A series of consultations conducted Eastern Theological College in Jorhat, (20 colleges) Union Biblical Seminary in Pune, India. (UBS and 10 others) and later took the same format to Micah Network in “Malaysia meet” resulting to “Genting recommendation”. 3.With some 40 colleges and adding 30 more from August 2008 session, in India, the movement of HIV studies in India & Asia has picked up the momentum.

The theories and biblical foundations are to be developed by theological teachers/scholars in response to the cultural requirements. Before such foundations are developed: 4.Curriculum and training modules developed. 5.Two Reasons for doing this: 1.Lev 13-15, when there was contagious diseases in the Israelite community, it was the priest who was consulted. The credibility and ability of the priest to do this now has been lost, we need to restore the lost credibility and make church leaders well versed with the physical part of life. 2.If there are 1000 Theological Institutions with 20 students graduating each year, and we train these students we will have 1000x20=20000 people aware, informed and prepared each year. Enough to transform the world.

Genting (Malaysia) Recommendation Working Draft Guideline GUIDELINES FOR THE COURSE ON CHRISTIAN MINISTRY IN THE CONTEXT OF HIV & AIDS GOAL:  To equip students with knowledge, attitude and skills to effectively respond to the pandemic of HIV & AIDS by creating awareness, promoting prevention, and training in care and support activities for those infected and affected.

OBJECTIVES : Equip the students  With appropriate knowledge, skills and techniques, and to help them cultivate positive attitude in dealing living with and affected by HIV.  To articulate biblical and theological perspectives on health, healing and wholeness of life.  To identify complex personal, medical, social, cultural and religious dimensions of HIV & AIDS which cause stigma and discrimination, and steps to reduce them.

OBJECTIVES : Equip the students  To articulate biblical and theological perspectives on health, healing and wholeness of life.  To identify complex personal, medical, social, cultural and religious dimensions of HIV & AIDS which cause stigma and discrimination, and steps to reduce them.

METHOD OF STUDY:  The course should be inter-disciplinary as far as possible, and resource people will include theological teachers, medical personnel, and people working and living with HIV & AIDS.  Lectures, Seminars, workshops, case studies and video/DVDs.  Field Exposure and internship.  Biblical and theological reflection.  Assessment and Evaluation.

CORE COMPONENTS: 1. Understanding the Nature and Problem of HIV & AIDS Purpose of Section:  To provide historical information about the origin and development of HIV & AIDS. To discover the causes and modes of transmission. Considering the origin of and causes behind the pandemic will greatly assist students to critically reflect on the issue. Content of Section:  Definition, origin and development  Causes impact: Societal, cultural, family and individual  Modes of transmission, nature and symptoms  The scope of the pandemic in Asia Pacific region and globally

2. Biblical/Theological Perspectives on HIV & AIDS Purpose of the section:  To learn basic biblical and theological teaching essential for understanding and responding to the challenges of HIV & AIDS. Content of Section:  Biblical concept of creation of humans  Life and wholeness in the Bible  Concept of purity and holiness  Sin and Suffering, forgiveness and reconciliation, equality and dignity  Care and Compassion  Jesus’ healing Ministry  The biblical perspective on widows, orphans, the sick and the marginalized.  The impact of other religions and world views

3. Gender, human sexuality and HIV & AIDS Purpose of Section:  To provide information about gender and sexuality, and the effect of HIV & AIDS on women, men and children. It also seeks to empower women and marginalized groups against the disease. Content of Section:  Gender and sexuality  Vulnerability of women  Effects on women, men and children  Empowerment of women and marginalized group

4. Prevention of HIV & AIDS Purpose of Section:  To provide information on prevention, treatment, care and counseling for those infected and affected. Content of Section:  Prevention and Control Acts in Asian countries  Counseling, Consent and Confidentiality  Safer Sex Practices: Condoms, Needles and Negotiations (CNN)  Abstinence, Be faithful, Condoms, Don’t share needles, Education (ABCDE)  HIV testing, treatment, care and support

5. Christian/Church Response to HIV & AIDS Purpose of Section:  Equip Christians and the church in combating HIV and AIDS by exploring how the church’s mission, ministry, and resources effectively can address the pandemic. Content of Section:  Mission of the church and HIV & AIDS  Stigma and discrimination  Treatment, Care and Counseling  Contributions from Asian cultural and religious traditions  Worship, preaching, teaching

6.Capacity Enhancement Purpose of section:  Help persons learn necessary leadership and management skills for developing church–based community strategies and programs in the struggle against HIV & AIDS. Content of Section:  Leadership development  Creating self-support system and Community Mobilization skills  Advocacy and networking  Preparing a project proposal Do you know a bible college who would like to embark on introducing such curriculum and how would you do it to make it happen? Discuss with your neighbour. (Next section on Training Educators) (Next section on Training Educators)

Curriculum for Theological Educators Module 1: Basics of Health Education  Definition of health  Dimensions of health  Concept of disease  Health status and problems  Modes of intervention  Disease prevention and control  Responsibility for health  Primary health care

Module 2: Education, Prevention and Treatment of Common Ailments  Fever and pain  Diarrhoea  Malnutrition  STI (discussion on sexuality)  TB/ co-infection  First Aid  Palliative Care  Hygiene (personal and environmental)  Disinfection procedures

Module 3: Basics of HIV & AIDS  Origin and current statistics  Causative agents  Definition  Modes of Transmission  Immune system  Diagnosis  Principles of treatment (ART)  Prevention  HIV & health care worker

Module 4: AIDS and Development  Impact of AIDS  Social (women and children)  Economic (family, community, national, agriculture, industry etc)  Migrants & refugees  Human trafficking  Insurgency

Module 5: HIV & AIDS Management  Education of community  Learning of practical skills  Identification of vulnerable groups  Counselling  Home-based care  Network with government, NGOs and other agencies  Hospice care  On-going education  Burnt-out among care providers

Module 6: Legal Rights  Universal Declaration of Human Rights  Rights of Children  Legal response  Confidentiality  Consent  Succession rights  Discrimination & equality under constitution

Module 7: Church and the Community  Biblical basis for response  Awareness on Community Health & AIDS  Church’s response to AIDS  Training of volunteers  Professional counselling & care  Professionally managed home based care  Care for Care providers  Prayer and financial support Any clarification before Tim takes over? (Internship of Seminary Students (Internship of Seminary Students by Timothy Gaigwad) by Timothy Gaigwad)

Questions for Interactive Discussion: 1.What are the cultural practices contrary to the biblical teaching that contribute to the spread of HIV? 2.What local theological approaches can be developed to control the spread of HIV & AIDS in your country?

Group Reporting  Ten People Report on what you have found!