Mo v i n g t o a c t i o n

Mo v i n g t o a c t i o n
As you work with colleagues and other
partners to identify activities, it is useful to consider
one or more of the following suggestions, which
are based on a 2007 review of education sector
responses to HIV and AIDS in four countries (UNAIDS
IATT on Education, 2007e):
Critically review current coordination mechanisms
in the education sector. What opportunities exist
for ensuring that HIV and AIDS are prominently discussed
and reviewed through these mechanisms?
How effective are these mechanisms and would
strengthening them be a way of ensuring that
greater attention is paid to HIV and AIDS? Would
it be possible to set up a thematic group around
HIV and AIDS or are there existing groups where
HIV and AIDS could be included? Would better
information sharing among partners enhance the
profi le of HIV and AIDS? Are cooperation partners
holding themselves accountable on progress in the
area of HIV and AIDS?
When contracting consultants, try to ensure that
the team has HIV expertise. You do not need to
include a specifi c person for HIV. It is suffi cient to
ensure that attention to HIV is part of the terms
of reference and that the experts selected have
experience and expertise in this area. This is an
excellent way of raising the profi le of HIV, especially
COORDINATION – A KEY INGREDIENT TO
EFFECTIVE MAINSTREAMING
The existence of effective coordination mechanisms is critical
to successful mainstreaming. Similarly where coordination
(and consequently consultation) mechanisms are weak,
mainstreaming will face challenges and will often end up taking
the form of individual projects/initiatives rather than being
integrated in the core business of a sector. Here are some
suggestions about how to improve coordination:
Find out how coordination around HIV and AIDS in
education is being done in other countries and what lessons
have been learned. Most countries have focal points and
coordination units that will have interesting experience to
share.
Engage in dialogue with colleagues in the Ministry of
Education to fi nd out how coordination around HIV and
AIDS issues is taking place. Consider whether training or
specialist advice would help to improve the current situation.
Consider commissioning an external review or audit of
existing coordination mechanisms. If done in a participatory
manner it can be a useful way of identifying bottlenecks and
of creating buy-in for improving the current ways of working.
Critically review progress in coordination, harmonisation
and alignment among development cooperation partners.
Improving coordination is not just an issue for government
ministries but should concern all parties involved.
when opportunities are created to discuss the fi ndings
of the consultants. The resources at the end
of this tool include a link to a guideline for including
HIV and AIDS in consultants’ terms of reference.
In training activities, consider how HIV and AIDS
and related issues (SRHR, gender, etc.) can be
mainstreamed. For example, training of ministry
of education staff on indicators can easily be an
excellent opportunity to ensure that staff acquire
expertise monitoring the impact of HIV and AIDS.
Training of school managers can be used to increase
awareness of orphans and vulnerable children
or of the availability and importance of VCT
for HIV. Finally, training of teachers should include
techniques on how to address sensitive issues
such as sex and sexuality so that matters of SRHR
are effectively addressed (see also suggestions in
the list of resources).
Identify ‘champions’ within the Ministry of
Education who could be advocates and provide
them with support to enhance their visibility and to
develop their message. UNESCO and EDC have
developed a strategy for mobilising leadership in
the Caribbean, which has been demonstrated
to be especially effective in raising awareness in
low prevalence countries (see list of resources in
Tool 8).
Consider whether it is possible to support an
‘ambassador’ or ‘spokesperson’ from outside the
education sector who will advocate for a stronger
role of the education sector in addressing HIV and
AIDS. Your ‘champions’ may be found in other
sectoral ministries (such as ministries of planning
or health), or perhaps in the private sector (the
Chamber of Commerce, or a major business), in
politics (such as Nelson Mandela in South Africa),
or even in the media and entertainment area.
In annual or other periodic reviews, questions regarding
the impact of HIV and AIDS, SRHR and
gender should be posed. These reviews also
provide a good opportunity for introducing the
integration of HIV and AIDS in on-going interventions
where these issues have not yet been mainstreamed.
Chose one or two strategic entry points, establish
partnerships, identify opportunities and move
ahead on those. Make sure people know what
you are advocating for, have a clear message on
why this is important, write it into plans, and make
sure that it is given visibility e.g. through studies,
by involving university students, by sponsoring
colloquia.