Abstract

NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) offers a theoretical framework and a variety of powerful and practical behaviour change concepts and techniques which have been applied, in conjunction with participatory story telling and forum theatre techniques, in developing a range of experiential learning activities around issues of HIV prevention, support and positive living. These have been used in the Journey of Hope package for Ghana’s national Stop AIDS Love Life Campaign and also in the Bridges of Hope HIV/AIDS training package, now being used in over 50 countries worldwide with NGOs, faith based organisations, businesses, youth, community, family and other groups. Using these activities in their global Living with HIV Campaign, Standard Chartered Bank won the 2003 Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS Award for Excellence.

Several of the learning activities from the latest edition of the Bridges of Hope package are summarised in
Section 1 of this paper so that, when a few selected techniques and NLP concepts are subsequently introduced in Section 2, they can be discussed and examples provided of their application in designing and enhancing HIV/AIDS related education. The concepts and techniques include:

• A model of ‘Neurological Levels’, which identifies different levels of influence on behaviour: Identity, Beliefs and Values, Skills and Environment. For a particular behaviour to be sustained, it must be supported at all these levels.
• Creating a Positive Outcome Focus - to sustain desired behaviours, it is vital that these are linked to
  attaining desired future outcomes, not just to avoiding the problem. HIV/AIDS training and education is
  best framed and presented as being about staying healthy, living longer, fulfilling your full potential and
  achieving what you personally most want and value in life - your dreams and goals.
• A technique for challenging and changing (or at least dislodging) limiting beliefs.
• Association/Dissociation and ‘Meta Mirror’ - How to use different perceptual positions, associated and
  dissociated, to gain insights to and help address particular relationship issues.
• Anchors and Anchoring - a technique for accessing resourceful states (e.g. feeling confident) when we need them.

EE4 website on November 15 2004.