South Asia Regional Forum for Young People on HIV/AIDS Young Peoples Preparatory and Follow up Meeting to the

High-Level Conference Accelerating the Momentum in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS in South Asia

1. Background The UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA) and Save the Children for South and Central Asia Region jointly organized the first South Asia Regional Forum for Young People on HIV/AIDS in Kathmandu from 15-18 December 2002. The purpose of the Forum was to help young people prepare themselves for their participation at the regional High Level Conference Accelerating the Momentum in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS in South Asia in Kathmandu from 3-4 February 2003. A total of 43 children and young people between the ages of 13 and 20 years from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka participated in the Regional Forum. The children and young people were selected through a participatory process by their peers in their countries to represent them at the Regional Forum. In-country consultations and workshops prior to the Regional Forum facilitated the selection process and helped the young people to identify HIV/AIDS related issues affecting young people in each of the countries for discussion at the Forum. At the Regional Forum the young people elected two representatives per country, a girl and a boy, to represent them as speakers and participants in the High Level Conference Accelerating the Momentum in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS in South Asia in Kathmandu from 3-4 February 2003. 2. Introduction Prior to the High Level Conference from 3-4 February 2003, UNICEF ROSA with support from Save the Children for South and Central Asia Region organized a twoday meeting from 1-2 February 2003 with the young people who were elected at the Regional Forum. The purpose of the preparatory meeting was to help young people to present theirs views and requests to be equal partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS to national leaders, senior policy makers, parliamentarians, faith-based leaders, people living with HIV/AIDS, NGOs and multilateral partners at the High Level Conference. A total of 19 young people attended the preparatory meeting from 8 countries. Subsequent to the High Level Conference, the young people held a half-day follow up meeting on 5 February 2003 to review their country specific action plans and to make recommendations for implementation.
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Three young persons, supported by three adult facilitators from UNICEF ROSA and Save the Children, facilitated the preparatory and follow up meetings. A pre-meeting to brief and prepare all facilitators was organized from 30-31 January 2003. To ensure young peoples participation, all key documents for the High Level Document were summarized in a language and form user-friendly for young people. Adults, including session chairs and resource persons, as well as hotel staff were specially briefed to be responsive to young peoples needs. 3. Overview of the Preparatory Meeting (1-2 February 2003) Dr. Sadig Rasheed, Regional Director UNICEF ROSA, warmly welcomed the young people and encouraged them to be forceful and themselves at the High Level Conference. He emphasized that the outcome document of the Regional Forum Young South Asians Assert their Rights is a powerful statement and makes people listen to young South Asians. The facilitator team provided an overview of the agenda for the preparatory meeting and the High Level Conference and explained the various opportunities for young people to participate. The specific conference sessions and committees were explained in more detail by resource persons from UNICEF ROSA and Save the Children. The young people were encouraged to participate and attend all the conference sessions to ensure that their voices and concerns are being taken into account. In addition to attending the plenary presentations, key opportunities to speak and actively participate for young people were provided as following: Official opening statement Setting the Scene Plenary Session Interactive forum with senior leaders and young people on Leadership in South Asia: Facing the Challenge of HIV/AIDS Three breakaway sessions: Interactive forum: HIV/AIDS Related Discrimination and Stigma: a Violation of Human Rights Round table: Gender-based Violence, Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Increases Risks and Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS Round Table: Lack of Education: The Devastating Liability To Combating HIV/AIDS Press conference Drafting committee Co-chair the closing session
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Following the overview of the conference agenda and various sessions, the young people agreed on ground rules for the preparatory and follow-up meetings.

Young Peoples Ground Rules Young Peoples Ground Rules Active participation Active participation Pay attention when anyone presenting Pay attention when anyone isis presenting Do not come late for the meeting Do not come late for the meeting Respect others view Respect others view Equal participation Equal participation

Though the schedule of the preparatory and follow up meetings was very tight, young people organized fun activities and energizers. They had the power clap for themselves and for all the resource people who came in. Dance parties, bowling and a half-day city tour on 5 February 2003 were also part of their programme. 3.1 Expectations and Concerns of Young Participants During the preparatory meeting the young people expressed following expectations and concerns about the High Level Conference: Expectations
To gain information and knowledge about HIV/AIDS in Asia and in the world Successful outcome of the High Level Conference and implementation of action plans To make policymakers realize our condition and to find ways in which they can help us and to make sure that they dont break their promises That governments will respond to us and provide economic support Direct interaction and friendly relations with policy makers Simple language, readable to every person That young people who raise their voice for young South Asians will not be wasted Adults will know the importance of child participation Youth will be more responsible That together we make this world better place to live in

Concerns
How can I speak to all of them, especially to Ministers That the conference will have a good outcome and we have opportunity to participate That small children also have rights to know about HIV/AIDS That big people may forget their words after some time, will not respect our views, try to dominate or not pay attention to our ideas To be able to tell the truth in the High Level Conference Not to be able to raise up to adult expectations so that next time we may have a problem to participate How to be most effective in High Level Conference

3.2 Selection Process for Equal Participation in the Conference

The young people developed and agreed upon a set of democratic selection criteria to elect speakers and participants in the various sessions and committees. The selection criteria included maintaining gender balance, ability to communicate, knowledge of issues, past experience and interest. Based on above criteria, the facilitator team asked for volunteers for the different committees and sessions. The volunteers then shared with the group their motivation for the specific responsibility and anonymously the group elected who would be responsible for which committee or session. Moreover, the young people decided that the whole group would prepare the presentation of the Young South Asians Assert their Rights outcome document in the conference plenary session. 4. Overview of the Follow-Up Meeting (5 February 2003) Following the High Level Conference, the young people met for half-day on 5 February 2003 for an evaluation as well as to review their country specific action plans and to make suggestions for regional follow up activities. 4.1 Evaluation of Young Peoples Preparatory Meeting and High Level Conference Preparatory Meeting of Young People
Likes
Friendly relations and feeling responsible Interest of young people to work against HIV/AIDS Emmen as facilitator, the other young facilitators and the help from all facilitators The speech of Uhaa Jee Dance, games and energizers in between Meeting different people and sharing experience with resource person Everything except the tight schedule

High Level Conference

Likes
Meeting different people and sharing experiences with resource persons Big people listened to us and considered our issues and the opportunity to participate equally Sitting with ministers and the speech of minister from Bhutan The chance to get a response from leaders and express our ideas to UN staff, diplomats and NGOs.

Preparatory Meeting of Young People Dislikes

Tight schedules and no leisure for two days Busy and long session We had lots of issues but time was not sufficient Time was not monitored accordingly Pre-meeting of the young facilitators was long and complicated

High Level Conference Dislikes

Presentations and speeches were too long, boring and schedules too tight Didnt get expected answers from ministers and delegates Some felt uncomfortable sitting with elders and large delegations Adults were not given time for translation That young people did not get a chance to light the lamp in the opening session Not enough government officials were present at the breakaway session Not to be able to listen and participate in all the presentations, especially the country perspectives. To keep on calling big people to attend next session after each break.

Learnings
That young people can contribute to the movement against HIV/AIDS To co-operate with others and sharing of experiences Experiences from other people Different information on HIV/AIDS

Learnings
That many people are affected by HIV/AIDS in different countries How countries combat HIV/AIDS and what needs to be done to overcome HIV/AIDS; that it is time to change and struggle against HIV/AIDS. How to interact with our leaders, but also to be careful of politics and that it is not always easy to work with leaders Governments are committed to youth participation. That HIV/AIDS infected person should not be stigmatized, access to education is important and gender violence should not be done. Process of the conference especially the process of the drafting committee

Recommendations
To include HIV/AIDS infected or affected young people in the pre-meeting Shorten the sessions Provide more energizers Action plans should be implemented. To let the youth express their views more openly More time to prepare Include more programmatic information about HIV/AIDS

Recommendations
Interactive session with adults should be done more often, but have a chance to ask questions more freely in interactive sessions and express views more openly To make it more child friendly, that adults should be more friendly and Govt officials to take us more seriously Conference should be held also in other SAARC countries To include HIV/AIDS infected or affected young people in future conferences Shorten the speeches and more energizers. To stand for promises and actions should be implemented. Have an evaluation session for adults

4.2 Regional Follow Up Activities and Support At regional level, the young people suggested the following follow up activities: Organize annual regional follow-up meetings with young people . This meeting should rotate among the SAARC countries. The group suggested Sri Lanka as the venue for the next meeting. Set up a young peoples newsletter on HIV/AIDS for the region . The young people from Bangladesh volunteered to coordinate the first edition, which was suggested to be published by 1 April 2003. The group agreed that the first newsletter should contain information about the High Level Conference, the December Forum and updates on any progress made on the young peoples country action plans. The young people from Nepal volunteered to coordinate the second edition eight months later, in December 2003. The third edition was suggested to be planned by the young participants from Afghanistan, in August 2004. The group also asked to follow up on the computer equipment which was promised to the Change Makers from the last High Level Meeting.

4.3 Revised Draft Country Action Plans At country level, the young people and UNICEF Focal Points present reviewed the action plans, discussed possible partnerships and the kind of support needed from UNICEF ROSA to implement their plans. COUNTRY Afghanistan
To organize national sensitization and planning workshop on HIV/AIDS for young people March/April Youth groups, Save the children, local NGOs (C.V.G, A.P.W.C) Have support from MOPH, MOE Translation of conference outcome document into Dari; Resource person from ROSA & CO for wshop; Funds, Clarify if one national or two provincial workshops

ACTIVITY

TIMEFRAME

POSSIBLE PARTNERS

SUPPORT NEEDED

Bangladesh
Core group meeting Press briefing Opinion poll on young peoples issues Briefing and mobilization Youth meeting Small group meeting with policy makers World AIDS Day observation Done February March to May April August September December

Bhutan
Form a committee of young people who have already attended forums on youth issues. Allot them with responsibilities on HIV/AIDS prevention and other youth issues. As we have support from youth council, we need to

convince the heads of schools and other institutions.

India
Awareness raising: Organise workshop with the help of the child rights clubs (one in Maharastra and AP) to develop child friendly materials March UNICEF, Save the Children other NGOs UNICEF and Save the Children for existing materials and workshop cost NGOs to organise and provide resource person and information NGOs and UNICEF to help with travel for club members.

Maldives

Village level events in Maharastra and Andra (20 villages) to provide information at community level

April

To assess knowledge, attitudes and risk behaviour related to HIV/AIDS in selected schools among children and young people. Develop a program by young people for young people to train on responsible behavior. First a workshop to develop the program. Then present it to government and UNICEF for funding. Carry out awareness program in selected schools. Train peer educator to promote responsible behavior among young people. Establish a core group of young people, NGO, change makers, government and UN to co-ordinate and facilitate implementation of action plan. Conduct awareness program in selected schools for young people and other children on HIV/AIDS and other related issues. Establish core-groups in atoll educational centers

Nepal
a) Networking As pilot project begin network formation at district level in the eastern region (nine districts in eastern region); Club formation at village development committee (VDC) level: five club in each district, thus forty five clubs in nine districts; Regional level network in eastern region. b) Awareness program in eastern region Training of trainers on HIV/AIDS and Life Skills (two at regional level); Drama in 45 VDCs; Photo poster in 45 VDCs; Video shows in 45 VDCs; Talk Programme (Competition) in 45 VDCs; Talk Programme in FM in eastern region (Saptakoshi FM, Itahari) Role of UNICEF To provide financial, material and technical support Evaluation and monitoring

Sri Lanka
Help us gather interested young people from all over the country so that we can form a network and work towards fighting HIV/AIDS. We want the issue of HIV/AIDS to be discussed in detail in our childrens parliament. With the help of NGOs we want to organize programmes on basic life skills including HIV/AIDS for vulnerable groups. February to April

May

We want to carry out the promised meetings with the government and UNICEF, so that we can discuss on how we can carry out our Action Plan. We want help to train peer educators.

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Revised Pakistan Action Plan on HIV/AIDS for Young People Outcome of South Asia Regional Forum for Young People on HIV/AIDS and South Asia High Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS This is a draft national action plan narrowed down according to realistic goals and targets set by the Pakistan participants at the High Level Conference. Focal points in each of the provinces (including the four original participants at the youth forum) will revise this national plan according to provincial needs. The action plan will be revised once more input from partners, both youth and adults alike, is received. Key Issue Lack of information and discussion on HIV/AIDS What Changes We Want to Make 1. Raise awareness amongst children and young people about HIV/AIDS while encouraging safe behaviors and reducing existing risk behaviors How We Can Make Those Changes

Create youth groups and coordinate with existing ones (eg. Changemakers) and further develop action plans Participate in a meaningful way in UNICEF/NACP led situation assessment of HIV/AIDS and young people in Pakistan, including involvement in developing child-friendly IEC materials based on study outcomes Peer education ToT provided to young focal

Who are the Responsible Actors, Who Can Make These Changes Young people, supporting NGOs2, NACP, Ministry of Youth, Save the Children, UNICEF Young people, UNICEF, NACP and other partners involved

When Can We Make Those Changes? March onwards as needed

February July

Young people, supporting NGOs, NACP, UNICEF

April/May

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points in the provinces1 w/ periodic refreshers

Pakistan and ROSA, Save the Children Young people, supporting NGOs, UNICEF and Save the Children Young people, supporting NGOs and partners, NACP and NCCWD (including provinces) May onwards

Sensitize children and adults about child rights (including right to know about HIV/AIDS) and child participation Field trips to sensitize youth groups about vulnerable children (street kids etc.)

March-December (periodic visits as needed)

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Including national youth forum participants from selected NGOs in HIV prevention work Supporting NGOs are those with which the youth forum participants are linked.

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