HIV/AIDS Vulnerability and Risk Reduction among Ethnic Minority Groups through Communication Strategies in the Greater Mekong Subregion

This 2006-2007 project is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and is implemented by UNESCO Bangkok in Cambodia, Yunnan Province of the People's Republic of China, Lao People's Democratic Republic, and Thailand.

The goal of the project "HIV/AIDS Vulnerability and Risk Reduction among Ethnic Minority Groups" is to reduce the vulnerability to, and risk of, HIV/AIDS among ethnic minorities living in the cross-border areas of the GMS through communication strategies, specifically in Thailand, Yunnan Province (PRC), Lao PDR and Cambodia. The joint ADB-UNESCO project also aims to prevent trafficking and promote safer migration.

The project aims to achieve the following objectives:

• equip ethnic minorities with the tools necessary to reduce their vulnerabilities and mitigate risks;
• support sub-regional cooperation in the GMS countries for preventing HIV/AIDS; and
• monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS communication strategies used in the project.

In order to realize these objectives, the project will cover two key activities:

• reduce risk and vulnerability using communication strategies - this primarily refers to culturally and linguistically appropriate radio dramas for ethnic minorities; and
• expand ICT activities to include GIS vulnerability mapping for Lao PDR and Cambodia.

This project builds on the 2003-2004 ADB-UNESCO-SEAMEO project "ICT and Preventive Education in the Cross-border Areas of the Greater Mekong Sub-region".