Faith In Action

Faith Summit 2010

Faith in Action 2010 is a high level religious leader's summit on reducing stigma and discrimination about HIV and AIDS. Over 500 religious leaders will come together in a united campaign against AIDS.They will deliberate on the issue of HIV/AIDS and will delve into a specific action plan to address the problems across all states in India. It will also strive to create a future action plan for response

When : September 27th - 28th 2010
Where : Art of Living International Center
Website : www.faithsummit2010.org

If you would like to attend the conference or would like to invite a leader for the conference,

Contact us : faithsummit2010@vvmvp.org, pmu@artofliving.org.
Please call on : +91-80-95984722, +91-9343187143

Glimpse of our work in the past

The International Interfaith Conference on Prevention and Control of HIV AIDS AIDS Consultation 2006

Multi-Faith Partnership to Combat HIV and AIDS: Chennai: The Second International Inter-Faith Conference on Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS led to the formation of the India Inter-Faith Coalition on HIV/AIDS. The Coalition assumed the task of training 3000 faith leaders, 10,000 youth leaders and 7,000 nurses on HIV and AIDS, apart from designing and implementing a National FBO anti-Stigma Project. The Art of Living is a signatory to this Coalition, which reiterates the role of spirituality in HIV AIDS.

Interfaith AIDS Consultation 2006

Multi-Faith Partnership to Combat HIV and AIDS, April 2-7, 2006, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Organized by The Christian Conference of Asia- HIV/AIDS Concern (CCA – HIV/AIDS Concern), Asian Interfaith Network on HIV/AIDS (AINA) & National Christian Council in Sri Lanka (NCCSL), this consultation was aimed at promoting continuous dialogue and commitment of religious and faith-based communities in combating HIV and AIDS epidemic in Asia. The Art of Living presented a deliberation on "Showcasing cum Delving on implementable alternatives to channelize Youth Sexual Energies to Creative Energies through Spirituality - The smartest Solution". The valedictory session was represented by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

United Nations General Assembly Special Sessions

HIV/AIDS Stigma, Choice and Change, May 31st - June 2nd 2006, New York, USA: The Art of Living represented as a faith-based organization dedicated to working against stigma and discrimination reduction for People Living with HIV and AIDS.

The 3rd International Interfaith Workshop on HIV/AIDS-Stigma & Discrimination

This conference laid special emphasis on stigma and discrimination. Organized by the India Inter-Faith Coalition on HIV/AIDS & National Aids Control Organization, GRT Grand Hotel, November 18-19 2006, Chennai. The objectives of this conference were: Bridge religious gaps and promote inter-religious dialogue for improving collaboration between different inter-faith groups for accomplishment of mutually set goals and objectives to combat the HIV and AIDS epidemic. The Art of Living was represented at this workshop by Rev. Swami Vishnupadji.

International Interfaith Pre-ICAAP Conference on HIV and AIDS (IIPC), Colombo, Sri Lanka, 17th to 19th August 2007

Organized by Asian Interfaith Network on AIDS (AINA), and supported by Christian Conference of Asia and the World Council of Churches, the theme of the conference was : “Response of Faith Communities to HIV and AIDS -Have We Kept the Promise?” This conference was distinctive in that it was designed not only to provide learning opportunities, but also to help each faith community to develop actionable points for itself. Rev. Swami Sadyojatahji represented the Art of Living.

Faith in Action - Hindu Leader's Caucus on HIV/AIDS, Bangalore, June 1st and 2nd, 2008

A Hindu Leaders Caucus on HIV AIDS was hosted in the Art of Living International Centre, Bangalore. A joint initiative of the Art of Living alongwith UNAIDS and AINA, the Caucus marked the presence of 72 Hindu leaders from all states across India. All the leaders unanimously pledged to work against stigma and create more awareness, especially amongst the youth.

XVII INTERNATIONAL AIDS Conference, 3rd till 8th August 2008, Mexico City, Mexico

Organized by the XVII International AIDS Conference in collaboration with the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, Islamic Relief, Sangha Metta Project, the World Conference of Religions for Peace, the American Jewish Relief Services and the Asia Interfaith Network on HIV/AIDS, the session highlighted the global scope of what Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) were doing with marginalized and vulnerable communities such as people who use drugs and internally displaced people in the response to HIV and AIDS. The Art of Living was invited to speak on ‘Sudarshan Kriya’ and its role in Preventing HIV and AIDS.

“Faith in Action towards Universal Access at the 9th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, in Bali”

Organized by the Asia Pacific Leadership Forum and UNAIDS Regional Support Team Asia and Pacific at the International Conference on AIDS in Asia-Pacific (ICAAP), in collaboration with UNFPA. Swami Pragya Padji shared Art of Living's initiatives through the 2008 the Hindu Leaders Caucus on HIV. Also, Swamiji represented a session that brought prominent religious leaders from four major faiths in the region (Islam, Hinduism, Christian, and Buddhism) who spoke about the role of religion/religious leader in curbing stigma and discrimination and scaling up access to prevention, treatment, care and support.