Many great technological advances in medicine have become an important part of health efforts in every field. Because of these advances, however, medicine now has a more technical and scientific focus. A widespread economic focus has also infiltrated the public services, making health care a cost-effective “product” at the disposal of “clients.” Poverty is still a huge problem even though macroeconomic indicators are improving. Stigma and discrimination in their different manifestations remain present. The majority of health personnel work in unsafe conditions, and there exists a shortage of basic materials needed to do quality work. These health professionals get paid low salaries and oftentimes are shown little respect. In this dehumanizing reality, ISDEN works to contribute to the humanization of health services because although it might seem countercurrent, we have faith that in every person there exists a humanity that just needs to be recognized and encouraged. We believe that the humanization of health care is possible. Along these lines, we surround ourselves with committed people and institutions that work daily for a world of more humane health services, a solidarity that is inspired by shared ethical values and Christian convictions.

We aim to do the following:

Strengthen and assert values among multidisciplinary health teams and support ethical analysis of our current culture to help bring about the humanization of health care.

Activities

Training in Ethics .- We carry out activities and offer forums, workshops courses, and seminars that raise awareness about various issues, motivate, and facilitate training in ethics/ bioethics for many different agents in the health care sector.

b) Work with students and faculties of nursing schools We work with 32 nursing departments throughout the country. In 1999, we developed a curriculum titled” “Nursing: Ethical Training for Life”” for nursing students who had just received their degrees

We designed the curriculum so that it included a broad education in ethics as well as three areas of concentration that went into depth on specific topics. "Structure of ethics and bioethics training area in the discipline of nursing.

Since 2000 we have linked ourselves with 32 of the 42 nursing school faculties from Lima and throughout the country. With many of these we have signed cooperation agreements. Image

- Training Workshops for Teachers. We hold workshops to develop teaching skills that help the student identify and analyze ethical aspects embedded in health situations and in their professional undertakings.

Annual meeting about education in ethics with deans and directors of nursing faculties Every year since 2000 we have held a workshop seminar with nursing teachers who hold executive responsibility in their faculties. This allows these directors and deans to encourage the coordination of further ethical training among the rest of the faculty. This seminar also serves as a space of inter-faculty dialogue facilitated by ISDEN that helps develop teaching skills.

- Annual Conference with Nursing Students This conference gives nursing students an opportunity to reflect on their profession and the ethical problems related to health care, professional life, and the various challenges they face. Students from both Lima and provinces participate, which allows the students to meet each other, converse, and develop their psychosocial skills.