* FINAL VERSION - Concurred

Resolution A134

Title:   HIV Training

Topic:   HIV/AIDS

Committee:   15. Education

House of Initial Action:   Bishops

Proposer:   HIV/AIDS

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 75th General Convention request that the Office of Peace and Justice Ministries of the Episcopal Church, working in collaboration with the National Episcopal AIDS Coalition (NEAC) and the Executive Council Committee on HIV/AIDS develop a HIV training curriculum by the 76th General Convention, thereafter to  be updated each triennium; and be it further
Resolved, that this training curriculum focus on information on the transmission, treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS, addressing the demographic and social implications; and be it further
Resolved, That  this training  curriculum be offered as  web-based, self-directed tutorial ; and be it further
Resolved, that each diocese will strongly encourage that lay and ordained leadership complete this training.
 


EXPLANATION

It is vital that those in leadership positions in the Episcopal Church have a basic working knowledge about HIV/AIDS if they are to seek and serve Christ in all persons, respecting the dignity of every human being. HIV/AIDS has been at pandemic levels for over two decades. The year 2005 marked the grim milestone of 1,000,000 people in the United States alone living with HIV (and 40,000,000 worldwide). Despite a variety of educational resources being available for many years, ignorance about the subject continues to have a negative impact on the delivery of pastoral and educational services to those infected and affected by HIV. The failure to recognize the need to deliver HIV information and the delivery of inaccurate information by those in positions of responsibility can have an extremely detrimental effect on those seeking educational, medical and social services. Lack of accurate information can heighten the levels of stigmatization, create a barrier to treatment and negate educational efforts.


* Resolution is final but status and text are still under review before publication.