The Role of the Education Sector in the Response to HIV/AIDS: lessons learned from Africa and implications for Asia Donald Bundy Human Development Network The World Bank July 2 2005

Implications for Asia? There is no generic message that applies throughout Africa: countries vary by culture, resources, epidemiology, history, political economy etc Even less likely that there is a generic message from Africa for Asia But, we can learn from efforts to develop institutions and processes

Roles for the non-health sectors: Addis Ababa Consultation 2005 All sectors (typically 20+) can contribute to internal mainstreaming – offering care and protection for their own staff Only a few sectors contribute to external mainstreaming – extending protection beyond the sector boundaries to the wider community Priority should be given to: education, transport, local government/home affairs and the uniform services

Education and HIV/AIDS A WINDOW OF HOPE? Education and HIV/AIDS source: UNAIDS

A Social Vaccine? HIV prevalence by education category, Rural Uganda, 1990-2001. Individuals aged 18-29. De Walque and J Whitworth, MRC Uganda (2002)

Why National AIDS Authorities do not fund Education in Africa Weak commitment and insufficient capacity of Ministries of Education National AIDS Authorities do not recognize the role of the education sector In 90% of cases, absence of an education sector strategy for HIV/AIDS prior to AIDS funding No education specialist involved in developing the national AIDS strategy

Relationship between AIDS and Education Funding All countries where the education response is funded by the National AIDS Authority have a strong sectoral plan that is funded by education resources No country has an education sector response to HIV/AIDS initiated and funded by the National AIDS Authority

Key Correlates with an Effective Education Sector Response in Africa: A mix of resources – from the education and HIV/AIDS sectors A strong education sector plan Strong coordination between the National AIDS Authority and the education sector teams Participation in the UNAIDS effort to “Accelerate the Education Sector Response to HIV/AIDS”

Key Institutional Messages From the Experience in Africa The National AIDS teams need to be pro-active and focused on a multi-sectoral approach The education sector needs to take a strong lead in developing effective responses to HIV/AIDS, using AIDS funds for preparing programs and participating in the UNAIDS regional “Accelerate” program

Promoting sectoral leadership: UNAIDS InterAgency Task Team on Education (IATT) ONUSIDA L’equipe inter-agences pour l’education

Accelerating the Education Sector Response to HIV/AIDS in Africa Regional analysis and advocacy Multi-country sub-regional workshops to: share information and knowledge; promote national leadership; and strengthen national plans National missions and workshops to develop concrete plans and identify resources Sub-regional networks of national focal points to develop capacity, provide technical support, and M&E.

Accelerating the Education Sector Response to HIV/AIDS in Africa Accélérer la Réponse du Secteur de L’éducation au VIH/SIDA en Afrique UNAIDS InterAgency Task Team on Education ONUSIDA L’équipe Inter-agences pour L’éducation

Link school health and HIV/AIDS through the FRESH framework Clear health policies for schools, that include avoiding stigma and discrimination Safe water and sanitation for all schools Skills-based health, hygiene & nutrition education, and HIV prevention School-based health services for malaria, worms, malnutrition, and AIDS

Reasons for linking school heath and HIV/AIDS Addresses the immediate problems of school children, and the future Situates HIV/AIDS in an holistic view of health

UNESCO and FRESH in the Asia and Pacific region Strengthening national responses by: Technical assistance and analysis Sub-regional workshops: Chiangmai: 2002 Manila: 2003 National Workshops on School health, nutrition and HIV/AIDS: Cambodia: 2004 Viet Nam: 2004 Lao PDR: 2004

Advocacy Toolkit adaptation in the Asia and Pacific: 2002 - 2005 Almaty: 2004 Tashkent: 2004 Beijing: 2004 Tehran: 2004 Dhaka: 2004 Hanoi: 2004 Kabul: June 05 Vientiane: 2004 Islamabad: June 05 Bangkok: 2004 Phnom Penh: 2003 Jakarta: 2004

Key implications for Asia Prioritize non-health sectors that contribute to external mainstreaming – education, transport, local government/home affairs, uniform services Promote leadership by these sectors through regional (or federal) partnerships and networks Locate HIV prevention within school health programs Accelerer la response du secteur education au VIH/SIDA en Afrique

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