Thailand: Sexuality 101 Exhibit Says It Straight, Inter Press Service, Wednesday, July 07, 2010 (posted by Global Issues)

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Sex Education Outreach

Youth Correctional Facility Mae Rim

Image One Sex Education activity

On Thursday the 24th June TYAP together with NCYnet conducted sex education workshops for 550 youth at the Chiang Mai provincial Youth Correctional Facility Mae Rim. The workshops were particularly focused on HIV prevention.

Youth Leadership Project

Souk Pao Tang Pet Peua Chom Chon Project (Sex Education in the community project)

Image Two Training at Mae Rim

On Saturday the 19th till Sunday the 20th of June TYAP youth leadership team conducted the first workshop for staff members of local government offices as part of the SPTPPCC project. In all 40 staff attended the workshop held at Botanic Resort Mae Rim. The 40 staff members came from the local government offices of Cherng Dtoi, Sa nga ban, Norng Peung and Tackwang. The workshops were focused on understanding youth and sexuality, as well as planning for local governments to support local youth activities.

Youth Media Network

Youth Leadership Filmmakers project

Image Three Youth leaders from Doi Saket filming at pool side scene

On Friday the 18th till Sunday the 20th of June, TYAP conducted the second workshop for the YLF project. 30 participants from the 3 groups attended the workshop at Warng Tarn resort Doi Saket Chiang Mai. The second workshop was focused on filmmaking, with the youth leaders learning about photography, cinematography, editing, script writing and the concept of short films. Each of the 3 groups were given opportunity to create a sample training video, using the skills they had learnt over the 3 days. You can check out the videos below. In the coming 2 months the 3 groups will make a 10 minute short film each, about HIV prevention, sexuality and sex education. We thank our friends at MPLUS for also helping out during the workshop.

Youth Media Network

Youth leadership Filmmakers project

Image Four Youth Leaders from 3 communities

On Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th of June TYAP conducted the first workshop for the YLF project an Australian Volunteers International supported initiative. The first workshop was focused on building on the knowledge of HIV and sex education for 30 young leaders from 3 communities (Sa nga ban, Doi Saket, Ba Bong). 6 youth from Ba Bong also joined in the activities. The activities were focused on exploring the knowledge of the youth in regards to issues around HIV The focus was to build the confidence of the youth so that they will be able to produce one short film about HIV prevention, sex education or sexuality, which are all inter related. For the Youth Leadership Filmmakers project 3 teams will produce one short film for HIV prevention as well as organize awareness raising activities in their communities.

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UNAIDS’ new vision for the AIDS response endorsed by governing board- Call for Youth Integration-globally.

The UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) endorsed UNAIDS’ new vision for the AIDS response during its 26th meeting, held in Geneva from 22 to 24 June. THE NEW VISION IS “ZERO NEW HIV INFECTIONS. ZERO DISCRIMINATION. ZERO AIDS-RELATED DEATHS.”

As the HIV epidemic continues to evolve, the Board also endorsed a new mission statement for UNAIDS. It states, “UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, is an innovative United Nations partnership that leads and inspires the world in achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.” “We must fundamentally refocus the AIDS response – and UNAIDS – if we are to achieve universal access,” said Mr Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director. “Our new vision and mission reflect a dynamic approach to an epidemic in transition – delivering solid results in a world of competing priorities.”
A thematic session on linking HIV and sexual and reproductive health services was held on the first day of the PCB meeting. Participants reviewed the challenges of integrating such services, and shared lessons learned and best practices.“The Millennium Development Goals will not be achieved without also ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights,” said Mr Sidibé. “We must take the AIDS
response out of isolation and promote an integrated health and development agenda. Every dollar invested in AIDS should be a dollar that strengthens national health systems.”

The Board reaffirmed its commitment to the elimination of HIV-related stigma and discrimination and reducing gender inequality, and called on Member States to remove punitive laws and practices that block effective responses to HIV and progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. It requested UNAIDS to strengthen its support to networks of people living with HIV and key populations at risk to measure HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

The Board also requested Member States, with support from UNAIDS, to increase the direct participation of people living with HIV and consider ways to involve key populations at risk in HIV programmes and data collection. “We cannot reach vulnerable populations with life-saving public health services if their behaviour is against the law,” said Mr Sidibé. “We cannot ensure people who inject drugs and sex workers have access to harm reduction and HIV prevention services if they live in fear of being arrested.”

UNAIDS reaffirmed its commitment to reduce HIV transmission among men who have sex with men and transgender people. UNAIDS’ progress report on implementing the UNAIDS Action Framework: Universal Access for Men who have sex with Men and Transgender People was well received by the Board.

More than 300 participants and observers from Member States, international organizations, civil society and non-governmental organizations attended the meeting, which was chaired by the Netherlands with El Salvador acting as vice chair and Japan as rapporteur.

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