Starting HIV/AIDS work with groups

Starting HIV/AIDS work with groups

Effective teaching and learning involves open discussion, interaction between teachers and learners, and critical evaluation of points of view as well as the acquisition of new knowledge. In order to engage with groups in this kind of learning and on a potentially sensitive subject like HIV/AIDS, you need to think about how to make the group a safe place for you and young people to talk and interact together. You can think about the following:

• Advantages and disadvantages of working in single-sex and mixed sex groups;
• Agreeing ground rules with a group on confidentiality, behaviour, challenging and disagreeing with others, asking personal questions and so on;
• Check out what institutional, local or national policies and laws offer guidance and affect teaching around HIV/AIDS;
• Deciding if young people will be able to opt-out of activities if they want to.