United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

In October 2001, UNESCO, in cooperation with UNAIDS, finally concluded its serie of Regional seminars with the organization of the “Arab Regional Seminar on the institutionalization of HIV/AIDS in the school system” where representatives from 18 Arab countries coming from Ministries of Health, Education and NGOs were gathered. Even though evidence suggests that overall HIV prevalence is low in the Arab Region, more investment in prevention and care is required now to maintain the low prevalence, which does not equate to low risks. Based on the main outcomes of the Seminar, UNESCO-Beirut directed its intervention towards developing a Strategic Action Plan to fight HIV/AIDS in the Arab Region that seeks primarily to provide a logical framework for a multi-sectoral action in view of reducing risk, vulnerability and impact associated with the epidemic on school children, young people as well as vulnerable groups.

UNESCO’s Beirut works in close collaboration with its partners, at national and regional levels in order to contribute to a multi-sectoral response to the HIV/AIDS in the Arab Region. While evidence show that the figures of HIV/AIDS cases are relatively low, compared to Africa or Southeast Asia, low prevalence does not equate to low risk or low priority. Inadequate surveillance methods or poor prevention programs, a generalised weakness in the Region, can overlook outbreaks in vulnerable social groups. Further, even in low prevalence nations, the situation can change rapidly and dramatically: there is scientific evidence that the epidemic can emerge quickly and unexpectedly, and that no society is immune, especially that many countries in the region have enough evidence of risk factors (war, embargo, high population mobility and displacement).

Therefore, it seems that the Arab Region is at a critical point in the course of the HIV epidemic. It is now the time for devising effective approaches to the development of comprehensive, multi-sectoral strategies combining all efforts.

UNESCO’s overall priority in the Region will be to inform and guide education planners, policy-makers, teachers working together to improve HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support through education systems. This strategy also fosters a culturally appropriate and integrated approach for the creation of supportive environments that will facilitate not only access and propagation of information but above all behavioral change.

Protective cultural and religious values are key determinants in the implementation and success of an effective response to the HIV/AIDS in the Arab Region. Any prevention strategy should not be in contradiction with these local values but will rather capitalize on them to create an enabling environment that addresses issue of stigma an discrimination, and ensures openness and access to services to the most in need. This is translated in a very instrumental document: The Draft Strategic Action Plan, that is currently being subject of consultation among UNESCO-Beirut various partners and other offices in the Region (link with other offices).

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