Guyana
The Ministry of Education Senior Staff Retreat was held at Sea Breeze Hotel in Kitty on July 21, 2006. EDC/UWI worked closely with Ms. Sharlene Johnson, Focal Point for HIV&AIDS, Ministry of Education, Dr. Shanti Singh, Programme Manager, National AIDS Programme Secretariat and Ms. Dusilley Cannings, The Network of Guyanese Living with and Affected by HIV/AIDS Inc (G+) to plan the Advocacy and Leadership Campaign.
Twenty senior level Ministry of Education staff participated in this day long activity to introduce the leadership and advocacy campaign and reinforce how important it is for the Ministry of Education to strengthen their response to HIV and AIDS. The senior level staff included heads of divisions and units and education officers participated in this campaign.
Opening Ceremony: (From left) Mr. Phillip Peter Walcott, Inter-American Development Bank; Ms. Genevieve Whyte-Nedd, CEO Ministry Of Education; Hon. Minister Dr. Henry Jeffrey, Dr. Morella Joseph, CARICOM.
©EDC/HHD
The opening ceremony was chaired by Hon. Minister Dr. Henry Jeffrey. In his opening remarks lead political support to this campaign. He emphasised the important of reaching people where they are and doing more to reach out to students and staff. Presentatives for IDB (Mr. Walcott) and CARICOM (Dr. Joseph) welcomed the audience and committed the support of their organisation to this effort. Ms. Genevieve Shyte-Nedd CEO spoke of the importance of this campaigne and Ms. Mora Oommen, representing EDC and UWI provided a brief introduction tot he programme and day's activities. The Master of Cermonies for the day was Ms. Dawn Braithwaite, Guyana National Commission for UNESCO
The welcome address was followed by a session facilited by the theatre group Artistes in Direct Support (AIDS) presenting two interactive scenarios addressing stigma and discrimination in the education sector. Capt. Gerry Gouveia, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, presented a very powerful overview of the potential economic impact of HIV and AIDS on the country, drawing on personal experiences as a father. Dr. Shanti Singh, National AIDS Programme (NAP) gave a detailed presentation of the medical perspective on the current status of HIV and AIDS in Guyana. Her presentation can be viewed here.
This sessions was followed by a panel presentation on the Elements of a Comprehensive Approach: Policy, Curriculum, services, supportive environments. The facilitator for this session was Ms. Sharlene Johnson, HIV&AIDS Coordinator for MOE. The following presenters participated in this session:
a) Policy: Sean Wilson, ILO
b) Curriculum: Lorna McPherson, Former HFLE Coordinator MOE
c) Services: Dr. Frank Anthony, MOH
d) Supportive Environments: Jennifer Cumberbatch, Teacher’s Union and Goldie Scott, Volunteer Youth Corps
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Panel Presentation on a Comprehensive Approach to Addressing HIV and AIDS in the Education Sector (From left): Mr. Sean Wilson, International Labour Organisation/United States Department of Labor HIV/AIDS Workplace Education Project (ILO/USDOL), Ms. Goldie Scott, Volunteer Youth Corps (VYC); Ms. Jennifer Cumberbatch, Guyana Teachers' Union.
©EDC/HHD
In the afternoon, Ms. Dusilley Cannings, The Network of Guyanese Living with and Affected by HIV/AIDS Inc (G+) presented on stigma and discrimination and the personal impact of such attitudes on persons living with HIV and AIDS.
The final session of the day was a working session introduced by Ms. Sharlene Johnson. Participants were then divided in groups to deliver suggestions for improving, enhancing and implementing the action plan.
These suggestions were shared with the larger group and submitted to the Ms. Johnson. Suggestions from participants will be incorported in the MOE Strategic Plan to address HIV and AIDS in 2007.
Retreat participants working in small groups on action plans. ©EDC/HHD
Click here to review the Ministry of Education retreat agenda.