“Faith In Action” – A Hindu Leaders Caucus on HIV/AIDS: June 1-2, 2008

[Guest guest]

" Faith In Action " – A Hindu Leaders Caucus on HIV/AIDS: June 1-2, 2008

AIDS has been called " an unprecedented crisis … that demands an

exceptional response " .

Though global HIV prevalence has leveled off, AIDS is among the

leading causes of death globally. Some 2.5 million people were newly

infected with the virus in 2007 and 2.1 million people died of AIDS-

related illnesses.

Although the proportion of people living with HIV in India is lower

than previously estimated, the epidemic continues to affect large

numbers of people (2.5 million people as estimated by UNAIDS in 2006).

Even though much has been learned about HIV/AIDS in the past two

decades, there are major obstacles to applying that knowledge

systematically and effectively. In general, national HIV/AIDS

programs are either too small in scale or too narrowly targeted to

make a real difference. The social and political climate is often not

conducive to effective AIDS programming.

Faith based organizations can play an effective role in positively

influencing the mindsets of leaders and society, towards those living

with HIV/AIDS. Religious leaders can create more awareness about the

issue and emphasize the importance of progressive education, morals

and ethics in helping prevent the further spread of the epidemic.

Together, such organizations can make significant impact at the

local, national and global level.

In India, Hindu leaders are coming together to send a message of

solidarity against this deadly epidemic. " Faith in Action " , being

jointly organized by The Art of Living Foundation, the Joint United

Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and Asian Interfaith Network

on HIV/AIDS (AINA), will provide a platform for Hindu leaders to

craft a coherent HIV/AIDS strategy and action plan for communities

across India.

Agenda

April 14, 2008

1st June 2008: Day 1

7.00 till 8 a.m. - Havan

815 till .9 a.m. - Breakfast

9.15 a.m. 9.30 am – Registration

9.30 am till 10.00 am

• Lighting of the lamp: His Holiness Poojya Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji

• Welcome Speech by Dr Denis Broun, UNAIDS India Country Coordinator

10.00 am till 10.15 am- HIV & National Programs by Project Director

National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) -Dr Sujatha Rao

10.15 till 10.25 a.m. – Role of Religions in HIV work: Dr J V Prasad

Rao –Regional Asia Pacific Director- UNAIDS

10:25 till 10: 35 a.m. - AINA on Interfaith work on HIV by its

Chairperson-Dr Prawate Khid-arn

10: 35 till 10:45 a.m. - Speech from INP+ Ms Janwi Goswami

10. 45-11.00 a. m-.Mahatma Gandhi speech (Hindi) on stigma and

discrimination - by Padma Shri Tom Alter

11-11.15 a. m Good Practice Model- Shri Dinesh Ghodke Director, World

Alliance for Youth Empowerment, The Art of Living

11.15 -11.30 a.m. - Opening of the Session by His Holiness Poojya Sri

Sri Ravi Shankarji

11:30 till 12.30 pm - Contemplation by the Religious Leaders

12.30 Till 2 p.m. – Lunch and Vishram

2.00 pm till 3:30 p.m. - Contemplation of Saints

3.30 till 4.15 p.m. –Question and Answer Session

4.15-4.30 Draft Declaration

4.30 till 6 p.m. – Tea break & Nature Walk (meeting of team to draft

declaration)

6 till 7 p.m. – Dinner

7.00 pm till 9.00 pm:

• Satsang

Presentation of HIV/AIDS

• Trisanga-Theatre( 40 hr minutes) : A Theatre by Tom Alter

9.00 pm till 9.30: Interactions with Youth

2nd June: Day 2

7.30 till 8.30 a.m. - Break Fast

8.45 -9 a. m Vedic Chanting

9 am-10 am:

Session 1: Response of National Stakeholder: Moderator -UNAIDS

• Ministry of Social justice and empowerment

• Ministry of women and child development

• Ministry of Health –NACO

• Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FCCI)

• Parliamentary Youth Forum

10-11 am

Session: Response of International Stakeholders: Moderator-

• World Council of Religion and Peace: Cairn

• INERELA+: Rev Matarazzo

• AINA-

• UNAIDS (global)

Discussion

11 till 11.30 a.m. - Tea Break t

11.30 Till 12.30 p.m. - The Final Statement & Pledging by Leaders

followed by Chanting

Vote Of Thanks and Valedictory Speech

Lunch

Venue

The Campus:

Ved Vignan Mahavidyapeeth

21st km, Kanakapura Road

Udayapura

Bangalore, Karnataka 560 082

Phone: +91 80 28432273

Contact Us

Dr. Archana Mathur

Sr. Projects Manager,

Central projects Department,

Ved Vignan Mahavidya Peeth,

The Art of Living,Bangalore.

Office:080-32940807

Mobile: 9986093174

For any queries mail us at : aolunaidscnf@...

http://faithinaction.in/