Report of 1st Regional Summit on HIV/AIDS in Africa

The 1st Regional Education Summit on HIV/AIDS in Africa (RESHAA) convened by the HIV and AIDS Unit of the Federal Ministry of Education held from November 21st - 25th, 2011 in Abuja. The summit which had its theme has ‘Saving Lives Through Preventive Education: The Role of Young People was attended by over 1500 delegates including social and political activists, scholars, professionals, students, teachers, practitioners, local and international media practitioners, and observers who came in from countries across Africa, Europe and America. A good percentage of the delegates were from Nigeria.

The summit featured plenary sessions, presentations by guest speakers and panelists, oral presentations, sponsored group and skills building interactive sessions, youth forums and exhibitions.

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Action Health Incorporated was represented at the summit by Mrs. Adenike Esiet, Executive Director, Mrs. Obinna, Programme Officer and Mrs. Bose Deji Oderinde, Lagos State FLHE Master Trainer. The AHI staff presented and co-facilitated during the following sessions:

• A Plenary Session: Prevention Education Using School Based Approached, Mrs. Esiet.
• Skills Building Session: Sexuality Education for HIV Prevention: Learning from Nigeria and International Experience, Mrs. Esiet.
• A Community Outdoor Session: Income Generating Activities for PLWHAs and Physically Challenged Persons, Mrs. Obinna.

The landmark Skills Building Session was conceptualized by UNESCO in collaboration with AHI and UNICEF and had in attendance over 1000 delegates, including young people and adults. The session explored participants views about the content of the Family Life and HIV Education Curriculum as well as their personal comfort level with sexuality issues. The session facilitators included Mr. Dhianaraj Chetty (UNESCO), Mrs. Adenike Esiet (AHI), Dr. Victoria Isiramen (UNICEF) as well as experts selected from the Federal and State Ministry of Education who engaged the participants using interactive methodologies and approaches. The session featured small group work sessions and presentations.

A key outcome of the session was the resolve by the participants that age appropriate information on the five thematic areas of Family Life and HIV Education should be integrated into the School curriculum at the Primary, Secondary and Tertiary levels of Education and young people should have unhindered access to sexuality education through parents and teachers.

Participants of the Youth Forum also presented a communiqué to the Honorourable Commissioner for Education during the summit.