Young people
'Charting the course of education and HIV' provides an overview of how approaches to HIV education have changed over time, examining lessons learned and the way forward.
Feature Story
Education and HIV: where we’ve come from and where we need to go
01 April 2014
01 April 2014 01 April 2014A new UNESCO publication explores the evolution of HIV education and how it can be made more relevant to young people.
Charting the course of education and HIV examines what has been learned in the AIDS education journey, its opportunities and challenges. It then proposes a way forward in an area that is seen to be critical to the success of the overall AIDS response.
According to UNESCO Global Coordinator for HIV and AIDS Chris Castle, “HIV education can help learners to not only develop and maintain safer behaviours, but also reduce stigma and discrimination towards people affected by, and living with, HIV.”
Exploring the mechanisms and machinations of culture, values, beliefs and relationships of power has become more prominent and acknowledging that education and health are inextricably linked is now seen as vital. For example, HIV education can help to tackle some of the structural drivers of the epidemic, such as harmful gender norms, which can increase the vulnerability of women and girls.
According to the book, one of the major lessons learned in AIDS education has been the need to broaden the scope of HIV education and ensuring a more open and holistic approach to it. In that respect, largely gone are the early tendencies to teach HIV as a science topic concerned only with the biology of transmission, along with the scare tactics often used to discourage young people from becoming sexually active.
Instead, skills-based approaches have emerged that stress communication and coping strategies. Using interactive, student-centred methods of teaching, rather than heavily didactic ones, has been proven to be more successful.
HIV education can help learners to not only develop and maintain safer behaviours, but also reduce stigma and discrimination towards people affected by, and living with, HIV.
UNESCO Global Coordinator for HIV and AIDS Chris Castle
Nowadays, many countries have adopted the newer paradigm. A survey carried out across 13 countries in the Caribbean in 2008 found that all of them provide skills-based health education. Equally, all 21 nations in east and southern Africa have a policy or strategy to promote life skills-based HIV education.
However, the book shows that there is still a long way to go on the ground. Many young people across the world still do not possess even basic knowledge about the virus. HIV education often remains marginalized. Numerous curricula are found to be deficient, with little reference to key aspects of sex and sexuality and a lack of information about where to access relevant services. Often, teachers do not feel confident about delving into topics they may find embarrassing and do not allow their students the space to explore these issues in a frank and open way.
Charting the course of education and HIV recognizes the need to reframe HIV education to respond to such deficits and rethink teacher training and support and integrate skills-based activities with school health programmes. HIV education will also have to be adaptive to the changes in the epidemic and encompass not only HIV prevention but treatment, care, support, and stigma and discrimination. There should also be redoubled efforts to meet the growing demands from young people, and increasingly their parents, for comprehensive sexuality education, joining with ministries, school heads and other teachers to develop a common agenda to help young people make informed choices about how to live healthy and fulfilled lives.
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At the training of trainers seminar where children learn about the importance of adherence to antiretroviral treatment.
Feature Story
Adolescents living with HIV in Uzbekistan show their peers the way to a new life
20 March 2014
20 March 2014 20 March 2014Samir, a shy 15-year-old, has come a long way. Living in Uzbekistan and diagnosed as HIV-positive around a year ago he thought at the time his life was over. He felt hopeless and depressed. Now, however, he is looking forward to a brighter future thanks to his involvement as a peer-to-peer trainer in an innovative project spearheaded by UNAIDS and UNICEF in Tashkent.
During the most recent project workshop Samir joined 22 other adolescents living with HIV in the Uzbek capital. They were there to learn more about how to provide peer-to-peer support for other adolescents living the same experience in their home regions.
The trainees learned more about HIV prevention, care and support services as well as the increasing availability of HIV treatment options and the related improvement in quality of life. Learning how to challenge stigma and discrimination, which are still very prevalent in Uzbek society was also on the agenda. Many people living with HIV still fear being rejected and so keep their status secret.
For Samir the programme has made all the difference and he is now much more confident and optimistic. “I’m proud of having two hands, two legs and a head and I’m grateful to be alive. The most important things are family, health and a job that you like,” said Samir who wants to work in a bank in the future.
This initiative provides an opportunity for adolescents diagnosed with HIV to not only effectively cope with their own status but to also become leaders in guiding other peers in effective integration into society and living a fulfilled life.
UNAIDS Country Director for Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Lev Zohrabyan
The peer-to-peer educator initiative started two years ago and UNAIDS and UNICEF have already trained 37 young people and intend to have ongoing training for new HIV-positive adolescents as well as reinforcing the capacity of those already trained. According to UNAIDS Country Director for Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Lev Zohrabyan, the programme is playing a crucial role. “This initiative provides an opportunity for adolescents diagnosed with HIV to not only effectively cope with their own status but to also become leaders in guiding other peers in effective integration into society and living a fulfilled life”.
For Robert Fuderich, UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan, the programme provides a safe haven where young people whose lives have been impacted by HIV “have access to psycho-social support, medical and legal counseling and most importantly, to an environment free of stigma and discrimination.”
Although HIV prevalence in Uzbekistan is relatively low, with an estimated 0.1% of the adult population living with the virus, the country is in a region which continues to have the largest increase in newly registered HIV cases in the world.
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Panelist H.E. Joe Costello, Minister of Trade and Development of Ireland; Chair H.E. Ismanto Adna, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Republic of Suriname; Panelist Ms. Amina Doherty, International Consultant and Board Member of the Global Fund for Women and Just Associates (Civil Society Representative of Women’s Networks); UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé; Discussant Ms Jacquelyn Alesi Programme Director, Uganda Network for Young People Living with HIV; Moderator Mr Rajiv Joshi, Interim CEO, The B Team and Co-Chair, UN Working Group at Beyond 2015; and Panelist Ms Primrose Nanchani Manyalo, Programme Coordinator, Restless Development, Zimbabwe (Major Group on Children and Youth Civil Society Representative).
Debrief
Better development outcomes through participation: The role of women, the young people and civil society in the post-2015 debate
10 March 2014
10 March 2014 10 March 2014The Contributions of women, the young and civil society to the post-2015 development agenda were discussed from 6-7 March at a consultation chaired by the President of the United Nations General Assembly John W. Ashe.
The two-day meeting is part of a number of high-level consultations and thematic debates that will take place at the General Assembly during the spring of 2014 to identify concrete action for the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda.
Key questions addressed included: How to reflect the rights of women and the young and civil society in the post-2015 development agenda? How to ensure people’s active, full and meaningful engagement in the design, elaboration and subsequent implementation of the post-2015 development agenda? And how to effectively support efforts, at all levels, to reduce inequality and discrimination?
Participants
World leaders, UN heads of agencies including UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and civil society representatives including Jacquelyne Alesi, Programmes Director Ugandan Network of Young people living with HIV/AIDS.
Key messages
- UN and governments to ensure substantive space for young people, marginalized groups and civil society in the intergovernmental negotiating process that will result in the post 2015 agenda.
- Significant new resources should be made available for civil society including women’s and youth organizations, as part of the post-2015 agenda to enable civil society organizations to act independently and demand action from states on the community’s agendas.
- Draw lessons from the global AIDS response progress reporting as an inclusive accountability mechanism to monitor progress towards the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda.
Quotes
“I urge you to make the voices of young women heard in the post-2015 agenda and to assure access to safe, comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services delivered by knowledgeable, ethical, supportive, and qualified health service providers. For everyone; young, old, woman, man, HIV negative or HIV positive - we should include sexual and reproductive health and rights for all people in our goals for 2030.”
“Putting people at the center of governance mechanisms should be the guiding principle of any future architecture, especially with a view to enhancing global accountability. This must include a real transfer of decision-making power and influence from those who govern to the governed.”
Related
The 4th Pan-African Youth Leadership Summit is taking place from 13-17 January 2014 in Dakar, Senegal.
Update
Young African leaders meet to accelerate action on the MDGs
15 January 2014
15 January 2014 15 January 2014More than 500 young Africans are gathered in the Senegalese capital of Dakar to participate in the 4th Pan-African Youth Leadership Summit taking place from 13-17 January 2014. Participants are sharing ways to effectively contribute to the acceleration of the Millennium Development Goals and play an important role in shaping the post-2015 development agenda.
The event, which runs under the theme "Youth unemployment in the post-2015 development agenda", is organized by the Pan-African Network of Youth Leaders to the United Nations in collaboration with UNFPA and UNAIDS.
Quotes
“Youth participation in the development process in Africa is a priority and an important base for the whole continent."
"Our concerns are fully reflected in the agenda of this summit and we plan to share the recommendations with the youth world at the World youth Summit to be held in September 2014 in New York.”
"When we talk about the challenges of youth, it should be noted that many of the problems they face are rooted on the violation of their human rights, particularly of girls and young women, who are prey to physical and sexual abuse, and gender-based violence, especially in countries in conflict and post-conflict situations in Africa.”
"Young people aged 15 to 24 accounts for nearly 40% of new HIV infections among adults. In 2012, 780 000 young people were infected with HIV and 560 000 of these new HIV infections occurred in sub-Saharan Africa.”
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Young people explored ideas, experiences and solutions with the UNAIDS Board about the shape and scope of meaningful HIV programmes encompassing youths and adolescents at a time in their lives of great psychological, physical and social change.
Feature Story
Walk in my shoes — UNAIDS Board devotes key session to HIV, adolescents and youth
20 December 2013
20 December 2013 20 December 2013A major concern in the global response to HIV is how to ensure that young people take their rightful place as active participants with access to high quality HIV services and the right skills and knowledge to adopt strategies to stay safe, delivered in a supportive environment. Recognizing the critical need to urgently scale up effective HIV responses to adolescents and youth, the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board, meeting in Geneva this week, devoted a full-day thematic segment to HIV, adolescents and youth.
The situation is extremely serious. Although there has been a 32% reduction in the estimated number of new HIV infections among people aged 15-24, this key group is facing an emerging crisis. While the number of AIDS-related deaths overall fell by an estimated 30% between 2005 and 2012, estimates suggest that the number of deaths among young people increased by 50%. In addition, 15-24 year olds still accounted for 39% of all new adult infections in 2012.
“This is the time to re-imagine the HIV response among adolescents and youth. Young people are ‘the now and the future’, born in an era of HIV and antiretroviral treatment,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Without addressing their needs, there will be no AIDS-free generation and the gains made towards eliminating new HIV infections among children will be lost—their HIV risk merely deferred to the second decade of life.”
Lively and frank discussions
Under the theme of Walk in my shoes, the 19 December gathering brought together a host of young people from around the world who themselves led the main sessions on HIV prevention, testing and treatment. Young people explored ideas, experiences and solutions with the Board about the shape and scope of meaningful HIV programmes encompassing youths and adolescents at a time in their lives of great psychological, physical and social change. The discussions were lively, frank and open.
There was much emphasis on how to foster greater inclusion and ensure that young people are not simply passive recipients of programmes but play an integral role in their design, implementation and evaluation. It was found that currently their use of HIV prevention, treatment and care services is often lower than their older counterparts and that there remained a critical need for a scale-up of youth-friendly services and programmes which are fully resourced and tailored to their specific needs. Opportunities to link HIV with other sexual and reproductive health services as well as education, gender equality and social protection were also explored.
In a session on what successful HIV prevention looks like for young people, their unique prevention needs were highlighted, including those for key populations such as men who have sex with men, injecting drug users and sex workers. Young leaders shared good practices at country level. Renata Bayazitova from the Public Foundation "Ganesha" in Kyrgyzstan said that the critical elements of success for harm reduction services for young women who inject drugs, is to greater access to safe spaces, free of judgment, where young people can come at any time without the fear of being misunderstood, where they can get information and support on a range of issues.
Across all programmes a common element of success was the involvement of young people in the design of the services. The participants highlighted that only by working with young people will services be developed which are right for them, delivered in the right way, by the right providers and in the right places. Jerson See from the community organization Cebu Plus in the Philippines said, “You need to work with us, be case we know the market…we are the market.”
Creating an enabling social and legal environment in which young people feel motivated to go for HIV testing was also examined through a session which asked the question—‘Do all tests have to be hard? It was noted that current levels of HIV testing among adolescents and youth are still very low and that with treatment available it was now imperative to ensure young people living with HIV are diagnosed and linked to care and treatment.
One of the critical barriers raised repeatedly by participations was laws pertaining to the age of consent in accessing HIV testing services. “In Mexico, you are allowed to take an HIV testing when you are under 18, but according to the law a parent or guardian has to come with you to receive the test result,” said Corina Martinez Fundación Mexicana para la Planeación Familiar, A.C. “Fortunately in Mexico that rule is already under review, but it is important to take this example and monitor to ensure that in all our countries, these measures should be strengthened to ensure universal access to HIV testing.”
Participants also heard Zambia’s innovative mobile technology project, U-report, which has been able to scale up demand for HIV testing among young people, as well as Dr Nono Simelela, Special Adviser to The Deputy President, Chair of the South African National AIDS Commission, outlining the process in South Africa which led to the lowering of the age of consent in access to HIV testing to 12.
There was also an animated dialogue on challenges and solutions in relation to access to treatment and how this access can be integrated into youth-friendly services which also offer sexual and reproductive health interventions and support with adherence to drug regimens and disclosure.
After a full day of discussion and debate, youth delegates and Board members were galvanized into redoubling their efforts to ensure that young people have the tools and the space to put themselves front and centre of the AIDS response and play an active role in achieving in getting to the end of the AIDS epidemic.
“As a youth movement, we’ve never been more organized than now,” said Pablo Aguilera, Director of the HIV Young Leaders Fund. “We’re ready to work to ensure HIV remains a priory in the post-2015 development framework”.
Youth group.
Luiz Loures, Deputy Executive Director, Programme, UNAIDS.
Update
Youth leaders affirm their commitment to ending the AIDS epidemic
11 December 2013
11 December 2013 11 December 2013Young people from all over Africa reaffirmed their commitment to ensure that AIDS related promises are fully implemented in Africa. Youth leaders made the announcement at a press conference held on 8 December at the XVII International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA). This was just one of the many events throughout the conference where young people demonstrated their leadership role in the AIDS response.
In an earlier meeting with youth delegates, UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé called on young people to ensure that HIV is prominently included in the new post-2015 health and development agenda. He stressed the need for youth leadership in galvanizing a movement for social change and shaping the future of the AIDS response.
At ICASA, the African Young Positives Network (AY+) collected more than 5 000 signatures calling for a specific goal on the end of AIDS by 2030. Many young people, civil society, representatives of international organisations and ICASA participants became signatories of the petition.
UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Luiz Loures alongside Julitta Onabanjo, UNFPA Regional Director for eastern and southern Africa, Louise Van Deth, Executive Director of Stop AIDS Now!, Dr Joyce Mumah, youth leader, and Stella Nantumbwe Miss Uganda 2013/14 opened the Youth Pavilion. Speaking at the opening, Dr Loures said UNAIDS and its co-sponsors are committed to keeping young people central to the HIV agenda. He also emphasized on the need for strong and continued youth activism to ensure inclusive and sustained AIDS responses throughout the African continent.
In recognition of young people’s needs, ministers of health and education in eastern and southern Africa agreed to 10 key commitments to scale up comprehensive sexuality education and services for young people in the region. These commitments follow a recent UNESCO report: Young People Today, Time to Act Now, which brings together significant evidence on the challenges posed by the AIDS epidemic among youth in the region, especially for young women.
In 2012, an estimated 780 000 youth between the ages of 15-24 were newly infected with HIV in the world and 560 000 of new infections among young people occurred in Africa during the same year.
Quotes
“We need to make sure that we have an HIV goal to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Ending AIDS depends on three things – zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS related deaths. It can be achieved”
“HIV doesn’t discriminate. So why should we discriminate against each other? The fight against this epidemic should focus on inclusion. I have decided to play my part as a musician to ensure that no one is left behind.”
“As young political leaders, young people need to think about how they claim the space for the post-2015 agenda. They need to push leaders at political space and not just at service delivery or systems level. This requires putting accountability on national leaders.”
“The AIDS response should be cognisant of local complexities and should not be a ‘one size fits all’. AIDS is a global challenge but we need to make sure that the science and HIV programmes are tailored for the local setting.”
Related
AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa (left) and Senior Adviser to the UNAIDS Executive Director Djibril Diallo signing the cooperation agreement. Credit: AFC
Feature Story
Asian Football Confederation and UNAIDS team-up to raise awareness of HIV
26 November 2013
26 November 2013 26 November 2013The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and UNAIDS are teaming up with young people for the AIDS response. A new Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 25 November. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the AFC’s 2013 Annual Awards by AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and Senior Adviser to the UNAIDS Executive Director Djibril Diallo.
Through this cooperation agreement, UNAIDS and the AFC will carry out joint activities in selected competitions organized by the governing body of Asian football in support of the UNAIDS “Protect the Goal” campaign.The new initiative will enhance awareness of HIV, improve access to HIV prevention and treatment, and work to eliminate HIV-related stigma and discrimination during football games and associated events ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Quotes
"On the eve of World AIDS Day, we are keen to join forces with UNAIDS to reach out to millions of young people in Asia with high-impact HIV protection messages."
"Through the sport of football, we can reach millions of people with a simple message demonstrating the importance of HIV protection and the value added of team work in the global AIDS response"
Related
In awarding Mr Sidibé (centre) the doctorate, University President Gilbert L Rochon (right) encouraged Mr Sidibé, through his leadership of UNAIDS and his new role as Tuskegee Alma Mater, to strengthen the university’s bridge with the United Nations and African countries to explore new breakthroughs in youth leadership, research and development, and public health. Tuskegee, Alabama, USA, 13 October 2013. Credit: UNAIDS
Feature Story
Michel Sidibé receives honorary degree from Tuskegee University
15 October 2013
15 October 2013 15 October 2013UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé has been awarded the Degree of Doctor of Public Health (Honoris Causa) from Tuskegee University in Alabama – one of the oldest and well known historically black colleges in the United States. The degree was awarded in recognition of Mr Sidibé’s leadership in the international AIDS response.
Mr Sidibé received the honour while attending the University’s Annual Scholarship Convocation on 13 October 2013 as the keynote speaker. In his remarks, Mr Sidibe spoke about the parallels between the American civil rights struggle for justice and equality and the AIDS response, which promotes human rights and dignity for communities affected by the epidemic. He highlighted that in the United States, African Americans account for an estimated 44% of all new HIV infections among adults and adolescents, although representing only about 13% of the US population.
In awarding Mr Sidibe the doctorate, University President Gilbert L Rochon encouraged Mr Sidibe, through his leadership of UNAIDS and his new role as Tuskegee Alma Mater, to strengthen the university’s bridge with the United Nations and African countries to explore new breakthroughs in youth leadership, research and development, and public health.
Tuskegee University is a renowned historically black university. Established in 1881 by Booker T. Washington, Tuskegee’s campus has been designated as a National Historic Site. Tuskegee University’s National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care is the first bioethics center in the United States devoted to exploring research and medical treatment of the African American community and other underserved populations.
Quotes
With Michel Sidibé’s vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths, the global AIDS response has moved from desperation to hope.
I am humbled and inspired to receive this profound honour from Tuskegee University - a legendary institution for excellence in research and the fight for equality.
Partners
Partners
Related
Barbara Martinez, of the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Young People living with HIV, addresses the opening of the special event, “Towards Achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)”, organized by the President of the General Assembly. 25 September 2013. UN, New York. Credit: UN Photo/Rick Bajornas
Feature Story
Young woman living with HIV urges international community not to drop guard on HIV
23 September 2013
23 September 2013 23 September 2013Barbara Martinez, a young Ecuadorian activist living with HIV, urged the international community not to drop its guard on HIV during her address at the 68th United Nations General Assembly special event on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The event was convened to review progress towards the MDGs as well as to discuss the transition into the post-2015 development framework.
Ms Martinez stressed that integrated and concerted action was needed to reach the MDGs and urged the international community, civil society and people living with HIV to remain vigilant in achieving the goals originally set in the Millennium Declaration. She also called on world leaders to ensure HIV remains a high priority for the world in the post-2015 agenda.
According to Ms Martinez, the MDGs have helped countries make major advances in their responses to HIV. She went on to stress that the efforts towards these goals have greatly contributed to a major reduction in the number of children born with HIV and the dramatic increase in the number of people accessing HIV treatment.
As the only speaker representing civil society, Ms Martinez participated as a member of the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Young People Living with HIV (Y+LAC). Around 210 000 young people are currently living with HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean, with 34 000 new HIV infections among young people in 2012.
Quotes
When we invest in HIV, we also invest in sustainable development, which includes the eradication of poverty, good governance, social inclusion and gender equality.
External links
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Feature Story
Crafting a new narrative on AIDS for the post 2015 agenda
23 September 2013
23 September 2013 23 September 2013
HRH Crown Princess of Norway, Mette-Marit (centre) and Pablo Aguilera, Director of HIV Young Leaders Fund participating in the interactive dialogue with key emerging leaders in the social good space on the topic of Creating a new narrative on AIDS for the post 2015 world – what role can the social good sector play? Credit: UNAIDS
Bloggers, HIV experts and emerging leaders in the social good arena from around the world met in New York to discuss how new technologies can be used to effectively respond to HIV and can help create a new narrative around AIDS for the post 2015 world.
The dialogue took place during a session held at the Mashable Social Good Summit, which is organized on the side-lines of the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The aim of the Summit is to bring together global leaders to discuss an idea: the power of innovative thinking and technology to solve the world’s greatest challenges. This year’s main debates focused around finding innovative solutions for a world post-2015—when the Millennium Development Goals will come to an end.
Speaking at the event, UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway stressed the importance of keeping AIDS in the Post-2015 development framework and called on Member States to ensure young people have a seat at the discussion table.
“We need a new narrative on AIDS. One that projects hope and inspires action,” said the Crown Princess. “Young people demand to play a role in shaping and changing their world,” she added.
Participants identified social media as a primary tool to communicate the realities of young people living with HIV. Raising awareness among young people about how their peers live with the virus could help create a new social dialogue; one that challenges taboos and addresses stigma and discrimination.
“As a young person living with HIV, I can tell you it is very different now from what it was 15 or 20 years ago,” said Pablo Aguilera, Director of HIV Young Leaders Fund. “We need to craft a compelling new narrative about AIDS, based on the realities of today, to engage people in reaching the end of the epidemic.”
However, according to participants, any social media initiative addressing HIV must take into consideration the digital divide. They stressed that all initiatives must ensure that online tools are used for offline action.
One such project is ACT 2015 where Youth organizations and UNAIDS, with support from HRH Crown Princess, will aim to catalyze social action to inspire a new wave of activism in the AIDS response.
ACT 2015 will engage and support youth activists to host online and offline host forums in their local communities to jointly agree and advocate for a new progressive framework that addresses the real HIV and sexual and reproductive health needs of young people. The open forums will take place during the month of November 2013.