Update: Interfaith Pre-ICAAP, 6-9 August 2009

Dear friends,

Warm greetings to everyone.

I am happy to inform you of the Pre International Congress on AIDS in Asia Pacific (ICAAP) Interfaith Conference and Skills Building Workshops at Hotel Dhyana Pura, Bali, Indonesia on August 7 and 8. This is organized by the Asian Interfaith Network on AIDS (AINA) and Indonesian Interfaith Network on AIDS (INTERNA) with support from Christian Conference of Asia, United Nations Fund for Population, UNAIDS, Nadhlatal Ulama and United Evangelical Mission. Other supporters of the Pre ICAAP event are: World Council of Churches, Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, World AIDS Campaign, World Young Women's Christian Association, Ecumenical Coalition on Tourism, World Vision India, INERELA+,and the Micah Network.

The Interfaith Conference will be addressed by Prof. Dr. Nassarudin Umar, General Director of Religious Ministry of Indonesia. We also hope that the 9th ICAAP Chair will come for the opening ceremony. Otherwise, there is a general opening event for all Pre-ICAAP activities in the evening of August 7.

The highlights are the skills building workshops, a wonderful idea from Ms. Sally Smith of UNAIDS. Attached are the outlines for the four workshops sent to the organizers in advance.:

Addressing Stigma and Discrimination - Interfaith Network on AIDS in Thailand and Christian Conference of Asia
Collaboration, Rights Based Advocacy and Campaigns - Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance and World AIDS Campaign
Tourism and HIV - Ecumenical Coalition on Tourism
HIV and Vulnerability in HIV epidemics - MICAH Network and World YWCA

Other skills building sessions are:
Building HIV-Competent Faith Based Organizations - World Council of Churches
Channels of Hope using the Model of Christo Greyling - World Vision India will present this
Working with People lifing with HIV and AIDS - INERELA+

There will also be a plenary session on Building Partnership between PLHIV+ and Faith Based Organizations on August 7 from 10.30am-12.00.
Prof. Dr. Musdah Mulia
Ms. Shanti
Mr. Surachart Suchakam
Ms. Sophie Dilmitis
INAT - Interfaith Network on AIDS in Thailand
INTERNA - Indonesian Interfaith Network on AIDS
IICA - Indian Interfaith Coalition on AIDS
Moderators: Zarah Kathleen Alih of AMAN, Anne Harmer and Mr. Samidjo of UNFPA

Another session is on Faith Based Responses to HIV and AIDS from Religious Leaders in the afternoon of August 7. One of the responses is the document on HIV Call to Action by the World Evangelical Alliance are attached. Mr. Greg Manning was officially requested to present the position of the World Evangelical Alliance.

On the last session of August 8, we will launch the book "Handbook on HIV and AIDS: Guidelines for an Interfaith Response".This handbook was produced by the Asian Interfaith Network on AIDS (AINA) with support from the World Council of Churches and the Christian Conference of Asia.

Religious Leaders were invited to give the interfaith blessing duing the Opening Ceremony of the 8th ICAAP. Rev. Sanan Wutti of the Chruch of Christ in Thailand will participate on behalf of Christian Protestants. We hope that His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will be able to make it for the Opening Ceremony. Prof. Dr. Nasaarudin Umar will represent the Muslim community.

We hope that you will encourage your network to join the interfaith activity. Registration fee is $55.00 for the first 200 registered participants.However, if they stay from August 6, the registration is US$100.00. Already, we have 125 registered participants Please pass the word around. Thank you.

Sincerely yours,

Dr. Erlinda N. Senturias
Consultant on HIV and AIDS
Christian Conference of Asia