HIV/AIDS Prevention in the Cross Border Areas of the Greater Mekong Sub-region

This project works to expand the use of ICT and other multimedia technologies in HIV/AIDS preventive education in GMS, which comprises Cambodia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam, and Yunnan Province of China. It reaches out to approximately 8,000 in-school 13- to 24-year-old youth through interventions in high-risk cross-border areas, community-based information programmes, community learning centres (CLCs), and peer education support. In broad terms, this work of increasing HIV-related awareness and skills involves:

• developing ICT learning materials in local languages (decentralising materials development down to the provincial level) - for example, developing and disseminating educational radio programmes and tapes
• building the capacities of teachers, health workers, and other stakeholders to use these materials in the classroom, thereby expanding the use of ICT interventions in HIV/AIDS preventive education
• gearing these ICT-based interventions to isolated, marginalised, and vulnerable populations, in collaboration with community-based organisations and NGOs
• collecting, storing, and repackaging education materials in an information clearinghouse of information and materials support. Click here to view the website that has been set up to house this information. This site is designed to provide an easy-to-use, accessible, and interactive platform for enhancing knowledge sharing and collaboration among various stakeholders and communities of people involved in this project and in HIV/AIDS prevention in the GMS more broadly.

To explore one of these components in more detail, UNESCO worked with minority groups to develop radio soap operas geared toward girls and young women in highland areas (those most vulnerable to both sexual trafficking and HIV/AIDS). The aim is to use drama and music to arm girls with information about HIV/AIDS, and to allow them to profit from the experience of others. The effort was undertaken in close cooperation with Radio Thailand (Chiangmai), Yunnan Provincial Radio (Cumming), Xishuangbanna Radio, Radio Lao, and other broadcast entities. Focus groups were used to establish initial themes as well as storylines based, to the extent possible, on actual women's experiences with migration. Where practicable, village-level research was undertaken. The programmes are in the local languages (Hmong, Lahu, and Jingpo), by native speakers, rather than simply translated. This is essential, UNESCO claims, if the dramas are to be culturally as well as linguistically acceptable to the audience. In addition, the programmes make use of both traditional and locally composed music to underline themes of the shows. Broadcast began in autumn 2004; and, in March 2005, UNESCO began working with New Life Center Foundation (NLCF) to distribute cassettes and CDs to minority communities and organisations who wish to use the radio materials in preventive education and awareness raising campaigns. Village-level dissemination is a key part of this effort.

This project also uses research as a strategy to ascertain migration patterns that contribute to HIV/AIDS in this region. First, Geographic Information System (GIS) will be used to produce maps to assist in project planning, coordinating field work, project reporting, and assessment of interventions. That is, GIS will be used to provide visual, dynamic, and updated statistical and spatial analysis of the project areas and peoples. This process will include analysis of past and current socio-economic data, results of field work undertaken to date, and environmental data to predict outward migration risk areas and persons at risk. Second, using ethnographic methodology, UNESCO will undertake research in Lanten villages in Luang Namtha Province, Lao PDR, to try to prevent trafficking among highland minorities. This research will be preparatory to the regional expansion of the GIS-linked project, and will begin the process of ascertaining the cross-border links and trade routes in the region. Based on the 3 focussed studies that will be produced, "bridging" activities will be carried out using the age-appropriate materials developed within the school systems, training opportunities for recent out-of-school youth and children, and the materials developed by the radio-based project.

HIV/AIDS, Education, Girls, Women, Youth, Rights.

UNESCO explains that in the GMS is a region characterised by wide-ranging ethnic diversity, cultural pluralism, and linguistic complexity. As these countries have opened up their borders to tourism and trade, increased cross-border movements have hastened the spread of drug abuse, human trafficking, and HIV/AIDS.

The project is in line with the ADB's Human Resource Development thrusts in the GMS until 2011, which support a more proactive approach to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and promote ICT. The project dovetails with efforts to reduce poverty in the region and is supportive of the Millennium Development Goal of halting and reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015.