Strengthening The Education Sector Response To Hiv And Aids In The Caribbean (world Bank Working Papers)

The Caribbean Region is second only to Africa in the impact of HIV&AIDS. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has responded to this challenge by promoting a multisectoral response to the epidemic. UNESCO has provided regional leadership in strengthening the education sector component of this response. In 2005, UNESCO launched, with CARICOM and the World Bank, a regioinal dialogue involving representatives of Ministries of Education, national HIV&AIDS coordinating councils, development partners, and regional institutions providing leadership in the HIV response, which led tot he development and endorsement of a regional Proposal for Action: Accelerating the Education Sector Response to HIV&AIDS in the Caribbean Region. In June 2006, Ministers of Education and representatives of National AIDS AUthorities met in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, under the auspices of the CARICOM Council on Human and Social Development, and agreed to promote education sector leadership in addressing HIV&AIDS and to create a supportive policy and financial environment at national and regional levels. This report describes the development of these regional processes and how they have led to a stronger education sector response at the regional level. It also focuses on developments in three countries (Guyana, Jamaica, and St. Lucia) as examples of how thiss regional effort translates into action at the national level. This report the findings and outcomes of the three joint UNESCO/World Bank missions to Guyana, Jamaica, and St. Lucia, and elaborates on next steps identified for action at both national and regional levels. The report also sets these findings and next steps within the broader context of the Caribbean plan for action and presents in its appendixes sample resources to guide the development of a comprehensive response to Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV & AIDS) by the education sector. The priority placed on the education sector's response is based on evidence that education contributes towards the knowledge and personal skills essential for the prevention of HIV, and protects individuals, families, communities, institutions, and nations from the impact of AIDS. Education helps to overcome the conditions that facilitate the spread of HIV and can create the understanding and tolerance that contribute to reduced stigma and discrimination against vulnerable and marginalized communities and people living with HIV. The CARICOM regional body in the Caribbean, as well as leadership at the national level, has demonstrated commitment to accelerating the education sector response to HIV & AIDS. To fully maximize efforts at the national and regional levels, including (i) information and research; (ii) capacity building for planning, decision- making and coordination; (iii) strengthening teacher education and learning materials; and (iv) stigma, discrimination and human rights, including attention to cultural differences, will be addressed more systematically The Caribbean Region is second only to Africa in the impact of HIV and AIDS. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has responded to this challenge by promoting a multisectoral response to the epidemic. UNESCO has provided regional leadership in strengthening the education sector component of this response. In 2005, UNESCO launched, with CARICOM and the World Bank, a regioinal dialogue involving representatives of Ministries of Education, national HIV and AIDS coordinating councils, development partners, and regional institutions providing leadership in the HIV response, which led to the development and endorsement of a regional Proposal for Action: Accelerating the Education Sector Response to HIV and AIDS in the Caribbean Region. In June 2006, Ministers of Education and representatives of National AIDS AUthorities met in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, under the auspices of the CARICOM Council on Human and Social Development, and agreed to promote education sector leadership in addressing HIV and AIDS and to create a supportive policy and financial environment at national and regional levels. This report describes the development of these regional processes and how they have led to a stronger education sector response at the regional level. It also focuses on developments in three countries (Guyana, Jamaica, and St. Lucia) as examples of how this regional effort translates into action at the national level. Unesco/world Bank Partnership In Support Of Caricom Strategy In Education And Hiv And Aids. Prepared By Donald A.p. Bundy ... [et Al.]--p. Volume. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 29-30). Mode Of Access: World Wide Web.