As the HIV epidemic enters its third decade, mobilizing populations that are at a higher risk of exposure to HIV has become a pivotal point in many policy dialogues in the Asia-Pacific region, including Cambodia. HIV epidemics are largely concentrated among people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, sex workers and their clients, and transgender people. Young people withi
n these cohorts face additional vulnerabilities due to the unique needs of their age, the stigma and marginalization involved, and limited attention being paid to the psychological, social, ethical, and cultural aspects of their well-being.
In response, the particular leadership need of young key populations, Youth LEAD, the Asia-Pacific Network of Young Key Populations, developed the New Generation Leadership Curriculum, trademarked as NewGen. The course was developed with technical and financial support from members of the Asia-Pacific Interagency Task Team for HIV and Young Key Populations, in particular UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF and UNAIDS.
The University of Melbourne's Youth Resource Center led the course development with meaningful contributions from Youth LEAD young technical experts. The manual was revised in 2013, integrating the components of strategic information and sexual reproductive health.
The New Generation Leadership course aims at enhancing leadership skills and the capacity of Young Key Populations to address HIV and mitigate its impact via delivery of learning and training opportunities. This short-course had its first training of trainers (TOT) in Bangkok in September 2012 hosted by UNESCO with subsequent roll-outs in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.
The course will train the participants on building knowledge about population groups and vulnerability to HIV, quality of leadership skills and personality development as well as developing strategic action plans for inclusive HIV response and advocacy.
This year, with technical support from the National AIDS Authority (NAA), Youth Technical Task Force, FHI 360, UN agencies and NGO partners and financial assistance from UNESCO, Khana and Regional Youth LEAD Secretariat, Youth LEAD National Focal Points will organize the first New Generation Leadership course in Cambodia during 11th – 15th August , 2014, in Phnom Penh. The training is hosted by Cambodian Community for Women Living with HIV/AIDS (CCW), in collaboration with Cam ASEAN- Youth and Bandanh Chaktomok.
Specific purposes:
• To build skills in advocacy and leadership in the area of HIV among young key populations to participate more effectively in the national response.
• To build individual and institutional capacity, including the capacity of community youth networks and other youth-led and youth-serving organizations, to meet the needs of young key populations.
• To equip participants with meaningful skills to integrate relevant topics and methodologies from the training into their existing leadership and advocacy programs
Selection Criteria:
• 15-30 years of age from Young Key Populations (YKP) that includes young people who use drugs/inject drugs, young men who have sex with men, young entertainment workers, and young people living with HIV (YPLHIV). Young people who have been working with young key populations for at least one year will also be considered.
• Affiliated with a formal or non-formal organization or community network working with Young Key Populations.
• Knowledge on the issues of young key populations and HIV. Knowledge on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights is an asset.
• Committed to the cause and has an ability to co-facilitate sessions of the NewGen launch in their respective organizations, youth networks or communities.
30 community youth leaders who demonstrate strong leadership roles in their communities will be selected to participate in this 5-day training programme.
Young Key Populations in Cambodia are cordially invited to submit their application to chanthornphorng@gmail.com. Deadline of application is 26th July 2014
View full announcement.
For further information and application form, please directly contact:
• Mr. Phorng Chanthorn, Youth LEAD Focal Point in Cambodia at 092 183 100 or at chanthornphorng@gmail.com
• Mr. Nimol Soth, National Programme Officer, Education Unit of UNESCO, at n.soth@unesco.org