HIV/AIDS Training: World Bank South Asia Regional Strategic Communications HIV/AIDS Training (2003)

Project Description:
The World Bank Institute contracted with ENCOMPASS to design and deliver a training program to health officials and journalists from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to promote their understanding of the complexity of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, deal with stigma, and develop effective HIV/AIDS communications strategies.

Methodologies and Activities:
The design for this workshop broke new ground by bringing together health communications program managers and journalists to explore issues around the complexities of HIV/AIDS and effective communication on these issues. The two groups worked together to share experiences, learn about stigma and the importance of involving People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Each group also focused on creating strategies and products specific to their own role in HIV/AIDS education and stigma. Program managers developed specific communications strategies and the journalists produced news stories and outlined tactics to “pitch” HIV/AIDS stories to their editors.

A powerful aspect of the workshop was the participation of People Living with HIVAIDS. These resource persons shared their experiences of testing positive, disclosing their status, the ensuing stigma and discrimination, and living positively with the virus. The camaraderie that developed among the group and these PLWHA resource persons was transformational for many participants, who indicated that this was their first experience with PLWHA.

Accomplishments/Impact:
The affects of this workshop occurred on many levels. By encouraging project managers and journalists to share experiences and work closely together, the workshop created national “communities of practice” or networks among the participants. The substantive focus enhanced participants’ understanding of the impact of stigma in the lives of PLWHA, and the consequences of stigma for prevention of HIV/AIDS. On a practical level, the workshop provided opportunities for journalists to hone their skills in covering HIV/AIDS as a multi-dimensional story and for project managers to experiment with various communications strategies on these issues.

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