WHAT IS AN AIDS COMPETENT CHURCH?The World Council of Churches defines an HIV-AIDS competent church as:a church that has first developed an inner competence through internalization of the risks, impacts and consequences and has accepted the responsibility and imperative to respond appropriately and compassionately. In order to progress to outer competence, there is need for leadership, knowledge and resources. Outer competence involves building theological and institutional capacity in a socially relevant, inclusive, sustainable and collaborative way that reduces the spread of HIV, improves the lives of the infected and affected, mitigates the impact of HIV and ultimately restores hope and dignity.[World Council of Churches, Beacons of Hope: HIV Competent Churches - A Framework for Action (Geneva: WCC Publications, 2008).]   2012 Conference at a GlanceNovember 29 JCSTS AIDS Conference - Before October 5 185.62 JCSTS AIDS Conference - Student (ID required) 132.87 JCSTS AIDS Conference - After October 5 264.74 JCSTS AIDS Conference - Student, after October 5 185.62