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The 11th National Conference of CACSAN (Christian Agencies to Combat Substance Abuse Network) was held at the Indian Institute of Training and Development , South 24 Parganas, Kolkata from 26-28 April, 2007 . NCCI was invited by CMAI to this conference.
The theme for the conference was “Healing the Broken and the Wounded”.
It aimed at revisiting the commitment and goal in ministry while identifying new areas which need vital attention and contribution.
In addition to the daily devotions, the program had plenary related to the theme. The panel discussion included Gender and Children’s perspective. Parallel workshops were also arranged . One of the prime concerns addressed in the parallel workshops segment was HIV/AIDS. The focus of the said workshop was on helping the churches to develop policies related to HIV/AIDS.
Four existing models of church policies were presented. Ms. Karuna Roy, Coordinator, HIV/AIDS Program , SBHS, CNI, New Delhi shared the AIDS Policy and Strategy Guidelines of Church World Mission along with Recommendations for the Policy Guidelines of the HIV/AIDS Program of the CNI-SBHS. The HIV/AIDS Policy model of Catholic Bishop’s Conference in India (CBCI) was presented by Mr. James Veliath ,Coordinator (N), HIV/AIDS Programme, CBCI , New Delhi. Ms. Phutoli Chingmak’s was a draft model of the HIV/AIDS Policy – which is being considered to be concretized by the Nagaland Baptist Church Convention.
The program was well attended by representatives from various Churches, Church based Organizations, Church related organizations, Training Facilities and Research Centres and others. Church representation ranged from local , regional to national including participants from Church of South India, Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church, Salvation Army, Council of Baptist Churches of Northern India, United Evangelical Church in India, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and Church of North India.
There were few challenging responses pertaining to the models presented and the critical context of HIV/AIDS in the nation .One concern as expressed in the workshop was : Most people’s response to HIV/AIDS concern has been from the point of self preservation. This needs to be addressed .True Christian response goes beyond the limitations of self preservation and reaches out to our neighbors.
Secondly ,it was felt that there is still a huge gap between policies and its implementation. It was emphasized that there is a need to have more concrete programs and activate the policies so that congregation takes interest to learn more about it.
The workshop ended with the facilitation by Dr.Vijay Aruldass, General Secretary, CMAI. Dr. Aruldass explained the wider contours of a frame work for HIV/AIDS Policy. The participants also contributed to this , in terms of identifying the various areas -that can possibly be taken into account - while formulating an appropriate policy.
It was also felt that wider participation by the NCCI member churches in the discourse is necessary- in order to formulate an appropriate over arching HIV/AIDS policy for the churches.
The workshop was supported by CCA and was coordinated by Fr. Thomas Ninan from CMAI.
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