EduCan Caribbean Education Sector HIV & AIDS Coordinator Network

1. EduCan Caribbean Education Sector HIV & AIDS Coordinator Network Spring 2008

2. Network created April 2006, Jamaica; Created under CARICOM/EDC Sector HIV and AIDS Capacity Building project in partnership with UNESCO Caribbean; 14 Caribbean countries represented including Dutch and British overseas territories; EDC serves as ongoing secretariat. Background

3. Launch of EduCan:Caribbean Network of Education Sector HIV & AIDS Coordinators April 2006, Kingston, Jamaica

4. EduCan has the support of Ministers of Education as expressed in the Port-of-Spain and Roseau Declarations

5. “Endorse the establishment and support development of the Caribbean Network of HIV Coordinators in the education sector as a CARICOM-led regional resource”; “Request the Network of HIV Coordinators to develop a model for partnership between Ministries of Education and national organisations of PLWHA, consistent with the GIPA principles; Advocate for greater involvement of the Education sector in the national and regional response of HIV and AIDS.” The Port-of-Spain Declaration of Ministers of Education (June 2006) committed to:

6. “Identify a focal point in their Ministries of Education who will implement HIV and AIDS policies and plans, in close collaboration with the National HIV and AIDS coordinators”; “Endorse the membership of our Ministries’ HIV & AIDS focal point in the Caribbean Network of Education Sector HIV/AIDS Coordinators, EduCan.” The Roseau Declarationof Ministers of Education of OECS Countries (January 2007) committed to:

8. Vision The network’s vision is to transform the region's Education Sector response to HIV & AIDS. EduCanCaribbean Network of Education Sector HIV & AIDS Coordinators

9. Mission To advocate for a comprehensive, coordinated and sustained regional response to HIV & AIDS by Caribbean Education sectors. EduCanCaribbean Network of Education Sector HIV & AIDS Coordinators

10. Goal To strengthen the Caribbean Education Sector's policy and programme response to HIV & AIDS. EduCanCaribbean Network of Education Sector HIV & AIDS Coordinators

11. Advocate for greater involvement of the Education sector in the national and regional response to HIV and AIDS; Advocate for increased allocation of human and financial (internal and external) resources to support a sustainable education sector response; EduCan’s ObjectivesWithin the Frameworks of the Port-of- Spain and Roseau Declarations, EduCan will:

12. Influence creation and implementation of policy and programmes that promote enabling and inclusive environments free from stigma and discrimination; Provide a platform for communication and information sharing among members & other stakeholders in the education sector; EduCan’s Objectives

13. Identify and share existing research and evidence-based practices; identify new research needs and ways to conduct it; evaluate Network’s activities; Increase the capacity (knowledge, skills, practice) of EduCan members and key partners in strategic areas. EduCan’s Objectives

14. Abner Richards, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Co-Chair, EduCan

15. Recognition of HIV & AIDS as a critical issue affecting the education sector; Recognition of the key role the education sector plays in the HIV & AIDS response; Advancement of GIPA principles (Greater Involvement of Persons Living with HIV & AIDS). Guiding Principles and Philosophy

16. Promotion of a culture of non discrimination and continued advocacy for the right of PLWHA; Promotion of a culture of mutual sharing of information and resources; Commitment and passion for the mission and objectives of EduCan; Sensitivity to the socio-economic and cultural context of member countries. Guiding Principles and Philosophy

17. Membership: HIV and AIDS coordinators from all Caribbean countries, guided by the Executive Committee; these members have voting rights on key decisions. Membership

18. HFLE Coordinators will be associate members. The associate members will not have voting rights. Membership

19. Caribbean Education Sector HIV and AIDSCapacity Building WorkshopBarbados, June 2007Network Members Elect Executive Committee

20. Executive Committee Executive Chair, Sophia Edwards-Gabriel Deputy Chair, Abner Richards Secretary, Carolyn Codd Deputy Secretary, Glenda Rolle Treasurer, Hughson Inniss Deputy Treasurer, Patrick Thompson Public Relations Officer, Christopher Graham Two Members At Large: Sharlene Johnson and Muriel Guilds

21. Executive Committee, Secretariat, and UNESCO CaribbeanPlanning Meeting, Barbados, October 2007 Seated L to R: Abner Richards, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Sophia Edwards-Gabriel, St. Lucia Standing L to R: Jennelle Babb, UNESCO, Jamaica; Hughson Inniss, Barbados; Cheryl Vince Whitman, EDC Secretariat; Patrick Thompson, Grenada; Connie Constantine, EDC Secretariat; Christopher Graham, Jamaica; Glenda Rolle, Bahamas

22. Vision, mission, goal, objectives, principles & philosophy; Defined structure and management (1st Executive Committee, April 2006); Conducted survey of members accomplishments/needs, to be published, “Challenging HIV & AIDS: new role for Caribbean Education”; Elected new Executive Committee, June 2007; Status and Accomplishments

23. Two year strategic work plan; Sub-committees established to implement work plan; Internal and external communications plan. EduCan Executive Committee, October 2007 created …..

24. Christopher Graham, Jamaica; Public Relations Officer, EduCan

25. Status and Accomplishments 5. Defined roles and responsibilities Executive Committee; 6. Participated in Capacity Building workshop, Barbados, June 2007; 7. Established web site: http://www.caribbeanleaders.org and SharePoint project management site; 8. Executive Committee produced 2-year Work Plan, Oct 2007; 9. EduCan members participated in meeting of Networks of Education Sector HIV and AIDS Coordinators from East and West Africa, November 2007.

26. Ministry of Education HIV & AIDSFocal Point MeetingKenya, Nairobi, November 2007

27. Ministry of Education HIV & AIDSFocal Point MeetingKenya, Nairobi, November 2007

28. Ministry of Education HIV & AIDSFocal Point MeetingKenya, Nairobi, November 2007

29. Participated in 2-day skill-building workshop on tools for policy, advocacy, NGO Quality Control and interventions for post secondary peer education youth drop in centres and HFLE and HIV and AIDS, Barbados, June 2007; Brought together EduCan members with CCNAPC and CRN+ to plan strategies for ongoing collaboration and support; Target countries have conducted leadership and advocacy development, policy development, used NGO quality assurance tool use; and implemented specific interventions. Through Education Sector Capacity Building Initiative: (CARICOM/PANCAP,UNESCO with EDC/UWI), EduCan….

30. Caribbean Education Sector HIV and AIDS Capacity Building Workshop Barbados, June 2007

31. Caribbean Education Sector HIV & AIDSCapacity Building WorkshopBarbados, June 2007 Network Members using tools and products

32. Resources needed for additional professional development. Lack of commitment and response by some members. Post of Coordinator not always recognized adequately in Focal Point countries. Challenges

33. Promote EduCan Gain recognition for Coordinators in country and region. Address differing levels of capacity, experience and Internet access and use among members. Challenges… the need to:

34. Sharing experience, resources and process of developing a successful network. Providing opportunities for participation and contribution to events. Making presentations at country and regional trainings and conferences. Influencing policy makers and advocacy overall. Partnering on projects and programmes. Providing mutual support. Opportunities for Collaboration among Members and in the Region

35. Contact Information