Value systems and language in the development of public policy for AIDS

Problem. Given the life-threatening dilemma facing the world in its quest to conquer AIDS, this research explored the value systems of those policy makers involved and the language that they used to develop and implement AIDS educational policy.;Rationale. The need to view this research problem from a level of depth is critical for the language patterns both in the spoken and written domains to reveal themselves. Therefore, the theories of Hegel, Heidegger, Ricoeur, Habermas, Edelman, Callahan and Freire were woven together to provide a structure that explored the connections between values, language and the educational process that leads to policy formation.;Literature. The categories utilized for organizing the data included: the role of science and technology in policy processes, discourse and its transformational potential of Being, and educational/social emancipation.;Methodology. A participatory format utilizing Kieffer's Dialogic Retrospection model was used to generate dialogue between the researcher and the policy developers. The eight open-ended questions were explored with participants during the taped interviews and a copy of the transcribed interviews was provided for further reflection by the participants. An opportunity for further dialogue occurred during the second interview.;Findings. From the suggestions of the participants came the need to view the entire policy process as worthy of reflective action based on the needs of those affected by the policy. The role of the dialogue is of utmost importance in developing the trust needed for implementation. Given the confusion in the educational arena between the ethical, legal, and moral issues as they relate to AIDS policy development, this is an appropriate and timely topic for further exploration.