|
Newsletter
2010
| |
| Newsletter 2008 | |
| Newsletter 2007 | |
| Newsletter 2005-2006 | |
| Challenges of HIV/AIDS to the Catholic Church in Asia and the Pacific1st Workshop of the Asia-Pacific Catholic HIV/AIDS Network | |
| 12-15 May 2010 ,Camillian Pastoral Care Center Lat Krabang, THAILAND | |
 The
89 participants from 16 countries in Asia-Pacific have decided to
nominate a contact person for each of their countries at the 1st Workshop
of the Asia-Pacific Catholic HIV/AIDS Network. They also decided to
work as 4 sub-regions, namely East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia
and the Pacific. Papua New Guinea and India will coordinate the Pacific
and South Asia regions, while Southeast and East Asia will work together
as a team.
| |
| For the meantime, Catholic Committee on HIV/AIDS (CCA) under the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Thailand is assigned by the participants of this workshop to act as a secretariat of this Asia-Pacific Catholic HIV/AIDS Network. | |
 The
idea for a Global Catholic AIDS Network was first emerged at a meeting
convened in Geneva in 2006 and attended by Catholic organizations
with major engagement in the global response to AIDS. The need for
such network was stressed again at several meetings, such as, the
International AIDS Conference in Mexico City in 2008, and ICAAP in
Bali, Indonesia in August 2009.
| |
| At the same time the following factors became the driving force to initiate network: | |
| ð | The 2007 HIV/AIDS' statistics from UNAIDS and World Health Organisation (WHO) showed that HIV infections had risen by almost 20% in East Asia; HIV prevalence is the highest in Southeast Asia, with wide variation in epidemic trends; while Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia show declines in prevalence, epidemic is growing at a particularly high rate in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Vietnam; in India, though people living with HIV is lower than previously estimated, the epidemic continues to affect large number of people. |
| ð | HIV/AIDS is a critical challenge to faith communities and evokes their concern and commitment than ever before for it is not only a health crisis but a dilemma that affects basic human dignity and human rights. |
| ð | Dealing with HIV/AIDS is everyone's responsibility. |
| ð | The fight against HIV/AIDS requires concerted action by all governments and sectors. |
| ð | Dealing with HIV/AIDS must move far beyond the theoretical and legal debate to practical implementation of protection rights and dignity or people living with HIV/AIDS using multi-dimensional approach. |
| ð | Catholic organizations have been working in the field of HIV/AIDS at the forefront to provide care and support ever since the epidemic was first identified decades ago. However, at the moment there is no Catholic network on HIV/AIDS in these regions. |
 Realising
the need for network and facts on HIV/AIDS challenges, the Catholic
Committee on HIV/AIDS (CCA) - in which 38 local church organizations
working closely together, in collaboration with the Catholic Relief
Services (CRS) took this idea seriously and together called for the
first workshop of Asia-Pacific Catholic HIV/AIDS Network held from
12 to 15 May 2010 at Camillian Pastoral Care Center (CPCC), Lat Krabang,
Thailand.
| |
| The four-day workshop was attended by 89 participants: | |
| ð | 81 representatives from several Catholic organizations involved in the ministry with persons and communities living with the virus from 15 countries, i.e., Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam. |
| ð | 5 representatives of the Church's donor agencies originated from Australia, UK and USA, and |
| ð | 3 honorable resources speakers from Caritas Internationalis , UNAIDS and CMMB |
 The
workshop not only shared their work on HIV/AIDS in their respective
countries, but also had done theological reflection on the Church's
teachings to gain spiritual strength and apply these teachings in
their work. The participants also went on exposure visit to learn
the work carried out by Catholic organizations in different parts
of Thailand.
| |
| During the discussion, the participants have come up with concerns on sustainable treatment, stigmatization and discrimination as well as migration and tourism, which continue to pose problems on people living with HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable people. | |
 The
participants also voiced out needs for actions on HIV/AIDS, which
include community mobilization, empowerment of youth and people living
with HIV/AIDS, networking, ongoing capacity building (pastoral training
of clergy, pastoral groups, training of trainers), spiritual nourishment,
resource sharing, creation of website and involvement of Church leaders.
From these concerns, strategic direction for the next 5 years could
be drawn, namely spiritual animation, experiential sharing, capacity
building, information sharing/documentation and promotion of network
building at national level to foster effective concerted action addressing
HIV/AIDS.
| |
 To
address these concerns, the participants agreed to work together with
concerted action as a network, which is focused more on linkage of
Catholic organizations at national, sub-regional, regional and international
level. A core group has been set up to facilitate this process of
network building. This core group comprises 4 members representing
East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The core group
is also assigned with the task of: developing action plan on strategic
direction; maintaining old and establishing new contacts; linking
with the Holy See; and representing Catholic Church in Asia on HIV/AIDS
at different levels.
| |
 The
participants are individually and collectively committed to address
the issues and concerns that were raised at the Workshop. They will
follow closely the propose mechanism so as to bring to life the
strategic direction that will enhance and brighten the ministry
with people living with HIV and AIDS. With the blessing of God the
Father, with the guidance of the transforming Spirit and the presence
of Jesus among us, the participants are full of hope that the First
Workshop of Asia and the Pacific Catholic Network on HIV and AIDS
is a new beginning of the prophetic acts of love and compassion
to all people who longs for the fullness of life in GOD. | |
|
VCD
Information
|
|
| Baan Sukruthai | |
| Spirit Consolator | |
| Suthasinee Foundation | |
| Baan Naboon | |
| Lorenzo Home | |
| Baan Mittrathorn | |
| Fatima Self-Help Centre | |
| AIDS network : Thai | |
|
Health
Association Media
|
|
|
|
© CHC
Address : 122/11 Nonsi 14 Rd, Yannawa,Bangkok 10120, Thailand
Tel. 66 2 681 3900 Exit 1309 Fax. 66 2 681 5857
e-mail : chc@cbct.net
Update
March 2011