NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE BISHOPS OF BRAZIL, AIDS ANO INSTITUTIONAL CAMPAIGNS

Abstract

Objective

The educational and preventive campaigns against AIDS, sponsored annually by the Health Department, during the festivities of carnival -or Mardi-Gras- in Brazil, are, always surrounded by polemics, engaged mainly by the Catholic Church. This

• article is part of a research project entitled "The thought of National Conference of the Bishops of Brazil about the AIDS-prevention campaigns". lt points toward a reflection on the historical nature of the campaigns and discussions that took place between the Health Department and the Catholic Church in Brazil, under the parameters of disciplines such as Communication and Moral Theology.

Methods

Besides applying semi-structured interviews in the areas of Moral Theology, Applied Social Sciences and Communication, a comprehensive bibliographical and documental research was completed, following qualitative procedures in the use of bibliographical and documental research techniques.

Results

The researched material revealed a reflexive discussion between the Health Department and the National Conference of the Bishops of Brazil on issues related to the educational and preventive campaigns against AIDS, directed to the Brazilian population. The historical analysis examines the strategies used, and the polemics raised around certain issues, but, above ai/, it asserts that the dialogue between the institutions is possible. The complete research wi/1 be published as a book in the near future.

Conclusion

This article presents suggestions, not only to both institutions; the Health Dept. and the National Conference of the Bishops of Brazil, but also, to the advertising agencies, which are, generally, responsible for the organization, composition, and promotion of the national campaigns against AIDS. Such suggestions constitute challenges to public policies, in moral and in practical terms.