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AFRO-NETS> HIV-Impact Internet List Discussion
HIV-Impact Internet List Discussion
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I thought members of this list might be interested in a new on-line
forum on the impact of HIV on educational systems in Sub-Saharan Af-
rica.
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JOIN THE HIV-IMPACT INTERNET LIST DISCUSSION
20 MARCH - 26 MAY 2000
This is an invitation to a global discussion on the problems of
HIV/AIDS as it is currently affecting education sectors in the devel-
oping world, with special focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. If education
is truly the foundation of development, then the threat of HIV/AIDS
to national education systems is a threat to the heart of national
development. The statistics are daunting, but we must go deeper than
the numbers.
This HIV-IMPACT List can provide anonymity to those who wish to learn
more through serious discussion, and a global stage to those who wish
to share effective adaptive, coping experiences, from teachers, stu-
dents, school administrators, researchers and policymakers. In par-
ticular, the April 2000 Dakar World Education Forum will receive di-
rect input from the discussions started on this List. In addition, it
is expected that networking among institutions, agencies and indi-
viduals begun on the HIV-IMPACT List will continue long beyond the
life of the List, and will contribute directly to relevant capacity
building throughout Africa.
**** PURPOSE OF HIV-IMPACT ****
At the Jomtien World Conference on Education for All (1990), dele-
gates from 155 countries pledged to provide basic education for all,
and to reduce illiteracy. Their commitments were embodied in the Jom-
tien Declaration and Framework for Action. In April 2000, the World
Education Forum (Dakar, Senegal) will assess global progress towards
achieving the Jomtien goals set ten years ago.
Many factors prevent countries and regions from achieving the objec-
tives of education for all. One of the most serious is HIV/AIDS, a
problem of such severity that the UN Security Council recently
adopted it onto the Council's agenda. Although extensive throughout
all regions, the impact of this epidemic is especially acute in Sub-
Saharan Africa, where it is decimating education systems, and affect-
ing teachers, students, staff and their families in unprecedented and
often unrecorded ways. Until this epidemic is openly addressed, and
its effects on education sectors clearly documented, a major element
in national human resources development strategies will continue to
be deeply impaired. Studies are beginning to emerge, for example from
Cote D'Ivoire, Central African Republic, Swaziland, Zambia. Some of
the impacts arising from current/recent research include:
* Disproportionate numbers of women infected
* Precipitous rise in numbers of orphans
* Ostracism, discrimination against those living with HIV/AIDS
* Multiple costs to Education Ministries (teachers on sick-leave,
need for replacements)
* Enormous, unanticipated costs (sickness, funerals) to families
The purpose of the HIV-IMPACT List is to launch a discussion of
HIV/AIDS impacts on the education sectors globally, with particular
attention to the situation in Sub-Saharan Africa. While we understand
the global nature of this crisis, this List is intended to concen-
trate on the situation in Sub-Saharan Africa.
We are inviting broad and worldwide participation in this List, but
are asking that the focus be on experiences and ideas that might be
relevant/applicable to the challenges faced by education systems in
Africa. Together, we hope to learn how we can effectively measure,
assess, and respond to this challenge. HIV-IMPACT will be supported
from March 20, 2000 through the World Education Forum in Dakar. At
that point the proceedings will be written up, and the results evalu-
ated and assessed to determine the follow-up course of action.
The goals of HIV-IMPACT are to:
* Assist in building of networks of individuals/institutions with
relevant interests or capabilities
* Open a new, participatory interchange that will help generate solu-
tions
* Create a "safe" forum where people can share their experiences and
views. For example, we guarantee anonymity to any participant where
requested
* Provide input into future policies and programs of the UN, govern-
ments and other international organizations
* Bring a breadth of experience/ideas to the HIV/AIDS & Education
Panel at the Dakar Conference
WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Please let us know if you know of any organization that might/could
be interested in participating and contributing to the HIV-IMPACT
List.
***** TRAVEL GRANTS ****
One or more TRAVEL GRANTS to the Dakar Conference may be awarded to
selected LIST participants from Sub-Saharan Africa who provide the
most striking experience or strategy, based on concrete experience,
to solving the challenge of HIV/AIDS impact on education.
**** HOW TO JOIN THE <HIV-IMPACT> LIST ****
Anyone who has electronic mail with Internet access can subscribe to
the HIV-IMPACT List. To join, please send an electronic (e-mail) mes-
sage to:
<[email protected]>
Do *not* enter a subject. In the body of the message, type the text:
subscribe hiv-impact
Do *not* put anything after <hiv-impact>. You will receive a Welcome
Letter to the List.
**** LIST HOST ****
The United Nations Development Programme is sponsoring the HIV-IMPACT
List in coordination with its development partners at international,
regional and country levels.
**** LIST ADMINISTRATOR ****
This List is administered and moderated by Education Development Cen-
ter, a non-profit organization. EDC is working collaboratively with
UNDP.
**** FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ****
For further information about <hiv-impact>, please contact:
Janice Brodman, EDC
mailto:[email protected]
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