Archives: Media Releases

PAHO, in partnership with PANCAP, CARPHA, UNAIDS and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hosted the National action towards the elimination of STIs and Viral Hepatitis in the Caribbean: A sub-regional meeting in Port-of-Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago from 21–23 May 2018.

The aim of the meeting was to stimulate National Action to address gaps and challenges in the STI response as part of HIV combination prevention and expand viral hepatitis response beyond immunization in the Caribbean.

Present were the Honourable Ayanna Webster-Roy, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, holding the portfolios of Gender and Child Affairs, Ecclesiastical Affairs and Central Administration Services, Tobago, Mr. Dereck Springer, Director of PANCAP, Dr. Virginia Asin-Oostburg, Director of Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Dr. Massimo Ghidinelli, Director, PAHO, Unit for HIV, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis and Sexually Transmitted Infections, Dr. Edwin Vicente C. Bolastig, PAHO/WHO Representative, ad interim, Trinidad and Tobago.

The STI component focused on syphilis, gonorrhea, and HPV especially among pregnant women and their sexual partners, adolescents and key populations at increased risk for STIs/HIV. The Viral Hepatitis component focused on increasing the public health response, including access to HBV and HCV testing and treatment, and integration of hepatitis action within the general health system.

Friday, 18 May 2018 (PANCAP Coordinating Unit, CARICOM Secretariat): The Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), the mechanism that provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, commenced the Second Regional Meeting of Youth Leaders on Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV and AIDS on 18 May 2018 in Port-of-Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

In his opening remarks, Director of PANCAP, Mr. Dereck Springer, lauded the PANCAP Youth Steering Committee for developing and executing the agenda and methodology for the Second Youth Meeting. “This is clear indication of your growth since the First Meeting of Youth”, stated the Director, “I wish to commend the entire Youth Network for taking definitive steps in advocating for the priority areas identified at the previous meeting”.

The priority areas included (1) the dissonance between the age of sexual consent (16 years), and the age for independent access to health care (18 years), (2) the implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education in all schools in the Caribbean and (3) Gender inclusive laws that protect victims of sexual exploitation.

The PANCAP Director highlighted the additional progress since the first meeting, which included the establishment of the PANCAP Youth Advocacy Steering Committee and a specialized training workshop held in January 2018 designed to equip participants with skills to develop an advocacy strategy. He shared his expectations that the meeting would reach agreements on innovative and practical actions for advancing the key priority areas identified in the Caribbean Regional Youth Advocacy Framework (CRYAF) on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, as well as on key issues for advocacy within their respective countries. He urged the youth advocates to collaborate with the PANCAP Coordinating Unit, other stakeholders and each other to implement those actions. Mr. Springer indicated that PANCAP would facilitate their participation in high-level fora.

The Chair, PANCAP Youth Advocacy Steering Committee, Mr. Kevin Mendez stated that he has experienced significant positive change in his life since as a gay man, he is able to openly share his story and experience in the Caribbean, which has legislation that “impede on the rights of LGBT persons”. The Chair thanked PANCAP for creating a safe space for youth to have discourse and create a plan of action for regional advocacy.

He further stated that the meeting would focus on creating effective methods to advocate for the aforementioned key issues, which he believes, have a direct impact on the quality of life of young people, especially young key populations: young gay men, Men who have sex with men (MSM), and Transgender-persons, who have the highest HIV prevalence in the region.

Mr. Mendez further explained that in “the last year, with the support of PANCAP and the Youth Advocacy Steering Committee, we have received the mentorship to improve our advocacy skills to address our priority areas in our country context”.

He challenged participants to actively participate in discussions, invited them to be open and comfortable to share their challenges and opportunities in advocating for change. He also explained that the forum will be important for formalizing initiatives and effective communication among the youth network.

“One country cannot move ahead of another. Our issues, our needs are the same and you are all brilliant and passionate key players from whom we can learn and share a wealth of knowledge”, stated Mr Mendez, “we are one young Caribbean family and as such we have the responsibility to work together at the country level and as a region”.

In addition, he reminded participants that in 2017 there was a 1% increase of HIV infections among young men. “This HIV epidemic is killing our youth, our friends and families and our society”, implored Mr. Mendez, “we have been told we are the future but with HIV and HIV-related discrimination, our tomorrow in not certain. This is our time to take action, work together, stay informed and be real!”

During remarks, Mr. André Browne, Dean, CARICOM Youth Ambassadors Programme (CYAP), stated that the CYAP can function as a key resource for reaching youth and gathering youth voices at a decision-making level for all matters regarding CARICOM.

He highlighted that PANCAP has understood the need for Caribbean Youth Ambassadors (CYAs) to have opportunities to get together to share experiences, plan activities and receive the training they need to ensure their efforts are effective in their communities.

Mr. Browne explained that PANCAP has been a key support for the programme, bringing together CYAs with other youth to discuss ending AIDS since 2017. He revealed that for most of the CYAs present at the inaugural meeting, it was the first time they were able to meet in person. “Deans before me have effusively sang the praises of PANCAP and rightly so, the PANCAP leadership’s dedication to youth involvement is remarkable and must be applauded” stated the CYAP Dean, “from carving out a space for us in the form of these youth meetings to ensuring we have a voice at high-level decision making meetings such as the PANCAP Regional Coordinating Mechanism (RCM) and Executive Board, and building our capacity through the recently concluded Local Capacity Initiative (LCI), even allowing us the use of their online platform for meetings”.

He informed the meeting that his goal is to renew the charge to the youth participating in the meeting, particularly the CYAs. Mr. Browne stated “the meeting comes at a time when 15 to 24-year-olds account for one-third of new HIV infections in the Caribbean, and at a time when almost half (46.2%) of Caribbean young people ages 15 – 24 did not have adequate knowledge about HIV, and at a time when two of five (38.6%) young people ages 15 – 24 did not use a condom the last time they had sex. It is time we act”.

He challenged participants to utilize the forum to formalize an actionable plan based on the CRYAF particularly on Comprehensive Sexuality Education, access to care for youth and creation of gender inclusive laws. He emphasized that the forum is another positive step to achieving the 2030 goal of zero AIDS among adolescents and the 90-90-90 Targets.

In her keynote address, Youth Advocate, Ms. Terry-Ann Roy, Alliance for Justice and Diversity, advocated for the removal of laws, which discriminate against sexual, gender minorities, and prevent them from accessing proper health care and information through fear of stigma and discrimination.

“We have to join forces in all areas of our activism because these issues intersect with each other”, stated Ms. Roy “when LGBT persons are discriminated within the law, this affects how they navigate the health-care system and how they access the necessary information to prevent contracting HIV as well as treatment if they need it. These laws do not only affect gay people but also those who are also listed as key populations in PANCAP’s own initiatives to end HIV and AIDS”.

She explained that these persons include sex workers, Trans women, People living with HIV (PLHIV), MSM, young women, girls and neglected persons who do not have access to these services. She stated, “we must recognize how these issues interconnect and work together, unite to combat these discriminatory laws and demand better policies and modified legislation. This is why we are here today and this why we will continue to return to get the necessary information to arm ourselves and approach these policymakers and parliamentarians with our demands. I stress on demands because we are entitled to these rights. It is written in all our constitutions. The right to freedom of expression, liberty, equality before the law, family life and dignity. Simply echoing that some laws are not enforced do not grant us the dignity we deserve”.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Ms. Alexus D’Marco, Vice Chair of the PANCAP Youth Steering Committee.

The meeting comes approximately one year after the First Meeting of Youth Leaders and two years ahead of the 2020 deadline for reaching the 90-90-90 Targets. It is expected to culminate with the development of advocacy supporting tools and materials for youths to advocate at the highest-level for the end of AIDS by 2030.

– ENDS –

What is PANCAP?

PANCAP is a Caribbean regional partnership of governments, regional civil society organisations, regional institutions and organisations, bilateral and multilateral agencies and contributing donor partners which was established on 14 February 2001. PANCAP provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, coordinates the response through the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS to maximise efficient use of resources and increase impact, mobilises resources and build capacity of partners.

What are the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 Targets?

• By 2020, 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status.
• By 2020, 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy.
• By 2020, 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.

Contact:
Timothy Austin
Communications Specialist
PANCAP Coordinating Unit
CARICOM Secretariat
Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana
Email: taustin.consultant@caricom.org
Tel: (592) 222-0001-75, Ext. 3409 | Visit www.PANCAP.org

Editor’s Notes:

Overview of PANCAP Youth Initiatives

The Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF) 2014-2018 articulates the vision and collective priorities of Caribbean states through their membership in the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP). The CRSF recognizes that resources must be strategically allocated to target the epidemic at regional, country, community and individual levels. Doing so effectively will require establishing and sustaining an enabling environment (Strategic Priority Area 1) by addressing social and cultural drivers of the epidemic and by removing barriers to access sexual and reproductive health information, education and services. In particular, more conscious efforts to address human sexuality are needed in order to equip young people with the regional public goods including knowledge and tools they need for healthy development.

As of 2014, there were 280 000 [210 000–340 000] people living with HIV, 8800 [5700–13 000] AIDS-related deaths among adults, and 44% [33%-54%] of adults living with HIV accessing HIV treatment in the Caribbean. Young people, especially among key populations, in Caribbean are disproportionately at risk of HIV infection, and they face greater barriers to accessing prevention services. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), HIV prevalence among young people is 0.07% and 0.05% in females and males in the non-Hispanic Caribbean and 0.2% and 0.3% in the Hispanic Caribbean both respectively. In Jamaica, where the data are available, higher estimated HIV prevalence has been reported among gay, men that have sex with men (14%) and transgender adolescent girls (27%). While the regional response has realized some progress with a 43% reduction among adults and a 90% reduction in children acquiring HIV, gaps and challenges remain. HIV prevalence remains high among Key Populations (KPs) such as Sex Workers (SW), Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), and young people. At the same time, challenges regarding stigma and discrimination, violations of human rights and gender-based violence continue to hinder access to services for young people in general.

To work more systematically with young people belonging to KPs who are more difficult to reach, PANCAP/Global Fund grant programme proposed to collaborate with CVC/COIN to link at-risk youth with the CYAP. The CYAP provides a unique platform for leadership development and collaboration that can strengthen the participation of a more diverse and better-informed youth constituency in CARICOM decision-making. This will serve a mutually beneficial purpose of strengthening the relevance and impact of the Youth Ambassadors as well as providing access to high-level CARICOM fora for KP youth, allowing for collaborative approaches to high-level advocacy that better links the issues and priorities of CARICOM to those of young people. This initiative supports the inclusion and participation of some Key Population groups (i.e. PLHIV, MSM, SW and youth) in the regional response addressing the critical gaps given the overwhelming evidence of the main drivers of HIV transmission in these groups.

The First Meeting of Youth Leaders held in April 2017 allowed for in-depth discussion of sexual health issues affecting young people, identified what are barriers to their access to sexual health services, as well as identify what knowledge and tools are required to protect themselves from HIV. The meeting provided input required to develop a regional advocacy framework on key sexual health issues affecting youth and to inform subsequent training to strengthen advocacy skills of regional youth leaders. This has strengthened the inclusion of youth leaders in the regional and national responses to work towards a more coherent and holistic approach to issues affecting youth from key populations and young people living with HIV: the dissonance between the age of sexual initiation (before age 15), prevailing legislation on the age of consent (16 years), and the age for independent access to health care (18 years) with the exception of Jamaica in which age for independent access to health care is 16, the implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education in all schools in the Caribbean and Gender neutral laws that protect victims of sexual exploitation.
The formalization of a Steering Committee on Youth Advocacy and follow up meetings are an innovative approach to mobilise regional youth leaders to actively engage in high-level advocacy and policy dialogues by linking the CYAP with PLHIV youth leaders and other sexual and reproductive health youth activities/leaders.

The Second Meeting of Youth Leaders will provide the opportunity for in-depth discussion on the achievements and challenges confronted by youth leaders in addressing the three priority areas identified in the Caribbean Regional Youth Advocacy Framework (CRYAF) to set in motion practical advocacy tools and techniques that can be adapted per country context. This meeting will serve to identify regional and international mechanisms that can be used as best practice models for the achievement of priority objectives, provide the opportunity to exercise advocacy techniques with parliamentarian(s), CSO representation and CYAs through a panel discussion addressing sexual and reproductive health issues and concerns identified by youth leaders. The meeting will enable the adaptation of a standardized data collecting and reporting tool used by youth leaders in their respective countries. This will better inform PANCAP of opportunities to support an innovative approach to mobilize regional youth leaders to actively engage in high-level advocacy, as well as further develop advocacy tools and materials to review and address policies, practices and laws that affect young people’s vulnerabilities to HIV.

Helpful links:

• PANCAP Youth web page: https://pancap.org/what-we-do/youth/
• Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS: https://pancap.org/who-we-are/caribbean-regional-strategic-framework/
• Caribbean Regional Youth Advocacy Framework on Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights: https://pancap.org/pc/pcc/media/pancap_document/Final_Caribbean-Regional-Youth-Advocacy-Framework-on-SRHR.pdf

Friday, 11 May, 2018 (PANCAP Coordinating Unit, CARICOM Secretariat): The Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), the mechanism that provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, will host the Second Meeting of Youth Leaders on Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV and AIDS on 18 -19 May 2018 in Port-of-Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

The meeting comes approximately one year after the First Meeting of Youth Leaders and two years ahead of the 2020 deadline for reaching the 90-90-90 targets—90% of people living with HIV diagnosed, 90% of diagnosed people on treatment and 90% of those on treatment virally suppressed.
The overarching aim of the meeting is to foster increased understanding of the challenges and opportunities of youth leaders in order to develop advocacy supporting tools and materials for youths to advocate at the highest-level for the end of AIDS by 2030.

Over 40 participants are scheduled to attend consisting of CARICOM Youth Ambassadors (CYAs), youth leaders from Key Populations, select parliamentarians and representatives of the Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation (CFPA) and the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC-COIN). Over 15 Caribbean territories will be represented.

The meeting is organized by the PANCAP Youth Advocacy Steering Committee with support from the PANCAP Coordinating Unit. According to Mr Kevin Mendez, Chair, PANCAP Youth Advocacy Steering Committee, the meeting will provide youth leaders with the opportunity for in-depth discussion on the achievements and challenges confronted by youth leaders in addressing the three priority areas identified in the Caribbean Regional Youth Advocacy Framework (CRYAF) on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights with the aim of developing practical advocacy tools and techniques that can be adapted in each Caribbean territory.

Through the CRYAF, PANCAP’s intended objective is to further the remit of the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF) on HIV and AIDS under Strategic Priority Areas (1): An Enabling Environment and (3) Prevention as well as to support the PANCAP Justice for All Roadmap.
The Chair further explained that the forum will serve to identify regional and international mechanisms that can be used as best practice models for the achievement of priority objectives, provide the opportunity to exercise advocacy techniques with parliamentarians, Civil Society Organisation representatives and Caribbean Youth Ambassadors (CYAs) through a panel discussion addressing sexual and reproductive health issues and concerns identified by youth leaders.

He highlighted that the meeting will enable the adaptation of a standardized data collecting and reporting tool used by youth leaders in their respective countries. This will better inform PANCAP of opportunities to support innovative approaches to mobilize regional youth leaders to engage in high-level advocacy, as well as further develop advocacy tools and materials to review and address policies, practices and laws that affect young people’s vulnerabilities to HIV.

“The intention is to provide a forum for in-depth discussion on achievements and challenges of youth leaders advocating for the implementation of the CRYAF on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights priority objectives in their respective countries,” stated Mr. Mendez.

Further, youth leaders will be engaged in identifying and analyzing regional and international mechanisms for use as best practice models addressing barriers that impede access to sexual health services by youth.

The forum will also provide an opportunity for practical high-level advocacy involving parliamentarians, Civil Society Organization and CYAP representatives.

– ENDS –

What is PANCAP?

PANCAP is a Caribbean regional partnership of governments, regional civil society organisations, regional institutions and organisations, bilateral and multilateral agencies and contributing donor partners which was established on 14 February 2001. PANCAP provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, coordinates the response through the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS to maximise efficient use of resources and increase impact, mobilises resources and build capacity of partners.

What are the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 Targets?

• By 2020, 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status.
• By 2020, 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy.
• By 2020, 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.

Contact:
Timothy Austin
Communications Specialist
PANCAP Coordinating Unit
CARICOM Secretariat
Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana
Email: taustin.consultant@caricom.org
Tel: (592) 222-0001-75, Ext. 3409 | Visit www.PANCAP.org

Image: Dr. Edward Greene former UN Secretary-General Special Envoy for HIV in the Caribbean now PANCAP Special Advisor (center),

with participants of the Faith Leaders Consultation (Belize)

 Thursday, 10 May, 2018 (PANCAP Coordinating Unit, CARICOM Secretariat): The Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), the mechanism that provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, collaborated with National HIV/AIDS Commission to convene National Faith Leaders consultation in Belize on 10 May 2018 in Belize City, Belize. The consultation is funded by the CARIFORUM 10^th European Development Fund Programme of Support for Wider Caribbean.

The aim of the consultation is to establish main goals for an inter-religious faith leaders network in Belize with emphasis on contributing towards the end of AIDS. This meeting follows a series of regional meetings involving faith leaders.

In welcoming participants Hon. Laura Longsworth, OBE, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chair of the National HIV/AIDS Commission, acknowledged the assistance and support of Faith Leaders and other partners that have helped to sustain the efforts to end the AIDS epidemic; Mrs. Longsworth observed that faith leaders are key to the response because they believe in the intrinsic value of human beings and noted that faith leaders promote access to services with love and humanity.

In his opening statement Chair of the meeting, Bishop Roosevelt Papouloute noted that as human beings, faith leaders are challenged by the development in families and society. He lauded PANCAP for its leadership in advancing the Justice for All Programme and for recognizing the importance of the Faith leadership in accelerating the response to end AIDS by 2020.

Bishop Michael Perreira, Senior Pastor of the Eccles Assemblies of God Church Guyana in delivering the keynote address acknowledged the value of networking with other stakeholders to achieve the purpose of God in ending AIDS by 2030. He applauded PANCAP for providing a platform for engagement. He contended that “as a leader in the Christian community our task is not only to prepare people for heaven but provide them with a model for living a life here and now”. He urged that the Church should not be oblivious of the human condition and must not fail to protect social justice for everyone. “If the church cannot resolve to fight AIDS it is neglecting their duty; Religious organizations need to do more and be more consistent in spreading the words and work together to end AIDS”.

Bishop Perreira concluded his address by encouraging faith leaders to:

• Love people without necessarily approving what they do;
• Inform their views/concepts of persons of a different sexual orientation. He stated, “this is necessary because members of key populations are not inclined to take us (faith leaders) seriously, as they are convinced that we are not genuinely concerned about them”.
• Preach and practice Christian Godly principles: love and respect all human beings whom God loves, just as they are our own.
• Partner with other stakeholders giving loving, empathetic Godly support.
• Find common ground as stated in the Regional Faith Leaders Forum Declaration of February 2017.

Director of PANCAP Dereck Springer provided the background to the national consultation in the context of the PANCAP Justice for All Programme and Roadmap. He reminded the consultation of the underlining principles of the JFA Roadmap: Enhancing family life and focusing on those in need; Increasing access to treatment and affordable medicines: PANCAP playing an important role in reducing the price of medicines; Reducing gender inequality including violence against women, girls, and adolescents; Promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights including age-appropriate sexual education; and Implementing legislative reform for modifying AIDS-related stigma and discrimination.

Dr. Francis Morey, Deputy Director of Health, Ministry of Health, Belize provided a status report on the HIV epidemic in Belize and the current response. He highlighted the challenges to achieving viral suppression among people living with HIV.

First Lady of Belize and Chair of the Spouses of Caribbean Leaders Action Network (SCLAN) Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow identified the major issues addressed by the ‘Every Caribbean Women Every Caribbean Child’ (CARIWAC) initiative. In defining the role that faith leaders can play Mrs. Barrow noted that health and well-being could be advanced by increased collaboration between SCLAN and Faith Leaders. She called attention to the adolescent population that is being overlooked, noting that a considerable number of girls are giving birth under the age of 15 years, thereby perpetuating the cycle of poverty. She also called for engagement of men and boys in reducing inequality of women and girls.

Faith leaders who attended the regional faith leaders’ dialogues reflected on the experiences that helped them to dispel their apprehensions, the role of the science in achieving the end of AIDS, barriers to access to health services and the need to foster continued transformation of the mind.

Following deliberations in small groups, faith leaders identified the following challenges impacting faith leaders’ response including differences between religious principles and practices; creating refuge for those in need; lack of religious organizations’ input into the development of the sexual education curriculum; unified education and counselling; preparation for respectful dialogue when court rulings contradict religious doctrines; lack of concrete information; how to creatively utilize social media.

Participants provided several proposals for addressing the challenges identified. These included education of the congregation; liaising with key stakeholders including National AIDS Programmes (NAP); establishing a structured approach such as hubs; identifying and sharing best practices from other Faith-based Organizations (FBOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs); ensuring that faith leaders are relevant by utilizing social media; create spaces of refuge and places of acceptance; provide prevention services; sensitizing faith leaders about confidentiality; accept people where they are; uplift the community; encourage people to know their status and in the case of couples share their results and offer positive alternatively ways of living.

Faith leaders also recommended the promotion of the following programmes and policies within individual religious groups and national inter-religious networks: structured approach that is focused on helping people; development and implementation of youth education programmes utilizing creative methodologies such as edutainment and utilizing the mobile app developed by the National AIDS Commission (NAC), Belize to access information.

Faith leaders agreed on the need for an inter-religious organization that brings together the various groupings around the HIV response and will meet shortly to formalize the process for moving forward. The Director of PANCAP pledged the Coordinating Unit’s support to the national network as it evolves.

 -ENDS –

What is PANCAP?

PANCAP is a Caribbean regional partnership of governments, regional civil society organisations, regional institutions and organisations, bilateral and multilateral agencies and contributing donor partners which was established on 14 February 2001. PANCAP provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, coordinates the response through the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS to maximise efficient use of resources and increase impact, mobilises resources and build capacity of partners.

10th European Development Fund (EDF) Programme of Support for Wider Caribbean Cooperation

 Under the 10th (EDF) Programme of Support for Wider Caribbean Cooperation, PANCAP will strengthen coordination on human rights issues in keeping with the Justice For all Roadmap through the HIV and AIDS Thematic Task Force in CARIFORUM.

CARIFORUM

 CARIFORUM refers to the Grouping of Caribbean States which are signatories of the Georgetown Agreement establishing the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP). The ACP grouping is composed of 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific states.

CARIFORUM is the recipient of and manages the implementation of Caribbean Regional Indicative Programmes financed by the EDF and Caribbean regional programmes financed by individual Member States of the European Union. It also provides technical assistance to agencies/institutions implementing projects under these programmes.

European Union

 The Member States of the European Union have decided to link together their know-how, resources and destinies. Together, they have built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedoms. The European Union is committed to sharing its achievements and its values with countries and peoples beyond its borders’.

Background to the PANCAP Justice for All (JFA) Roadmap

The PANCAP Justice For All (JFA) Programme was established in September 2013 as a regional response to the UN High-Level Political Declaration (June 2011) designed to reduce AIDS-related stigma and discrimination. The objectives of the JFA Roadmap are:

• Enhancing family life and focusing on those in need
• Increasing access to treatment and affordable medicines
• Reducing gender inequality including violence against women, girls and adolescents
• Promoting prevention with special reference to sexual and reproductive health and rights including age-appropriate sexual education
• Implementing legislative reforms for modifying AIDS-related stigma and discrimination

Contact:

Timothy Austin

Communications Specialist

PANCAP Coordinating Unit

CARICOM Secretariat

Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana

Email:      taustin.consultant@caricom.org

Tel: (592) 222-0001-75, Ext. 3409  | Visit www.PANCAP.org

Thursday, 3 May 2018 (PANCAP Coordinating Unit, CARICOM Secretariat): The Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), with funding from the CARIFORUM 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Programme of Support for Wider Caribbean Cooperation, will host the Belize National Faith Leaders Consultation in Belize on the 10th May 2018.

This Consultation is a follow-up to a series of engagements with faith leaders including Belize under the PANCAP Justice for All programme. This consultation will facilitate the development of an action plan for advancing faith leaders’ implementation of key elements of the Justice for All programme. Participants will include 40 Faith Leaders representing national faith leaders’ network across Belize.

The action plan will include the establishment of the main goals for an inter-religious faith leaders network in Belize with emphasis on contributing toward the end of AIDS; identification of the lessons learned for ending AIDS from faith leaders’ engagements with people living with HIV and with other groups such as parliamentarians, youth leaders, civil society and members of the church communities; challenges for developing a viable Faith Leaders Network and proposals for overcoming them; specific recommendations to achieve the goals of the inter-religious/faith leaders network; and priorities and timelines for achieving the goals of the Network.

In an invited comment, Coordinator of the consultation, Bishop Roosvelt Papouloute, (Belize Council of Churches) said that this consultation will be an opportunity for leaders from the different Christians denominations and other religious communities to come together to strengthen the response to HIV and AIDS, to raise awareness and educate the wider population about issues relating to HIV and AIDS. He encourages all those who have been invited to make every effort to attend.

– ENDS –

What is PANCAP?

PANCAP is a Caribbean regional partnership of governments, regional civil society organisations, regional institutions and organisations, bilateral and multilateral agencies and contributing donor partners which was established on 14 February 2001. PANCAP provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, coordinates the response through the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS to maximise efficient use of resources and increase impact, mobilises resources and build capacity of partners.
– 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Programme of Support for Wider Caribbean Cooperation

Under the 10th (EDF) Programme of Support for Wider Caribbean Cooperation, PANCAP will strengthen coordination on human rights issues in keeping with the Justice For all Roadmap through the HIV and AIDS Thematic Task Force in CARIFORUM.

– CARIFORUM

CARIFORUM refers to the Grouping of Caribbean States which are signatories of the Georgetown Agreement establishing the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP). The ACP grouping is composed of 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific states.

CARIFORUM is the recipient of and manages the implementation of Caribbean Regional Indicative Programmes financed by the EDF and Caribbean regional programmes financed by individual Member States of the European Union. It also provides technical assistance to agencies/institutions implementing projects under these programmes.

– European Union

The Member States of the European Union have decided to link together their know-how, resources and destinies. Together, they have built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedoms. The European Union is committed to sharing its achievements and its values with countries and peoples beyond its borders’.

Background to the PANCAP Justice for All (JFA) Roadmap

The PANCAP Justice For All (JFA) Programme was established in September 2013 as a regional response to the UN High Level Political Declaration (June 2011) designed to reduce AIDS related stigma and discrimination. The objectives of the JFA Roadmap are:

 Enhancing family life and focusing on those in need
 Increasing access to treatment and affordable medicines
 Reducing gender inequality including violence against women, girls and adolescents
 Promoting prevention with special reference to sexual and reproductive health and rights including age appropriate sexual education
 Implementing legislative reforms for modifying AIDS-related stigma and discrimination

The Launch of Global Lifestyle Foundation (GLF) was held on 28 April 2018 at the Royal St. Kitts Hotel Frigate Bay before an audience including former Governor General Sir Edmund Lawerence, former Ministers of Government, Ambassadors, faith leaders, representatives of community organizations, youth, and well-wishers.

The Right Honorable Dr Denzil Douglas former Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, former Chair of PANCAP and founder and chair of the Foundation outlined its origins, vision, and mission. He acknowledged that many individuals assisted him along the way and without their support and nurturing he would not have become a medical doctor much less a Prime Minister. “GLF is my attempt to give back to the community, the nation and the region. Its major programmes revolve around health and wellbeing, climate resilience and the green economy program and changing the lives of others for the better ” said Dr Douglas.

In his feature address, Dr Edward Greene former UN Secretary-General Special Envoy for HIV and now PANCAP Advisor paid tribute to Dr Douglas for his exemplary role, unwavering commitment and effective advocacy for the regional integration process and his outstanding representation of Saint Kitts and Nevis and the Caribbean Community. He commended the Chair and Board of Directors and said that “GLF is ideally conceived and its entry into the family of civil society could not be timelier ”

Dr Douglas continues to be an active member of the Network of regional parliamentarians and participated in the recently concluded PANCAP Joint Consultation of faith leaders, parliamentarians, youth key populations and National AIDS Coordinators in Trinidad and Tobago, 24-25 April.

Commenting on the launch, Dereck Springer, PANCAP Director stated, “I congratulate Dr Douglas, welcome the Global Lifestyle Foundation and look forward to its engagement in achieving the goals of the PANCAP Justice for All Roadmap”.

For more on the Global Lifestyle Foundation, click here. 

Wednesday, 25 April, 2018 (PANCAP Coordinating Unit, CARICOM Secretariat): The Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), the mechanism that provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, concluded the Joint Regional Dialogue with Faith Leaders, Parliamentarians, Civil Society Leaders, National AIDS Programme (NAP) Managers and Youth Leaders in Port-of-Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago with an urgent call from stakeholders for creating an enabling environment to reduce discrimination which acts as a barrier for vulnerable groups accessing health services and hinders efforts to reduce HIV infections.

The Dialogue, which included approximately 60 delegates from 14 Caribbean countries, was intended to facilitate an examination of national and regional issues and goals for ending HIV, and to take into consideration the targets established by the United Nations High Level Meeting Political Declaration June 2016 on ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030;  the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals approved by 192 nations at the United Nations in September 2015, and the commitments made by civil society, faith-based and other implementing stakeholder groups for ending AIDS during the PANCAP consultations in 2016 and 2017.

Participants were tasked with proposing initiatives within the context of the CARICOM Model Anti-Discrimination Legislation and the PANCAP Justice for all Roadmap.

Create an enabling environment to prevent stigma and discrimination

Among the strategic initiatives proposed by the wide cross-section of stakeholders was the creation of an enabling environment to prevent stigma and discrimination, which participants indicated, would reduce the incidence of HIV, increase testing, increase the number of people receiving antiretroviral drugs which would result in less deaths from AIDS and cost-saving within the health-care sector.

Participants underscored the importance of removing the barrier of discrimination as critical to the region achieving the 90-90-90 Targets by 2020, and keeping on track for ending AIDS by 2030.

Sensitization on the CARICOM Model Anti-Discrimination Legislation

To achieve the removal of discrimination as a barrier, participants proposed a Public Awareness Campaign on the CARICOM Model Anti-Discrimination Legislation targeted at Human Rights Activists, parliamentarians, faith leaders and youth.  The campaign is intended to educate these stakeholders on the use of the Model Legislation as a tool for mobilizing action to reduce instances of discrimination against vulnerable groups.

Emphasis was placed on educating parliamentarians on the model legislation and establishing connections with the existing parliamentarian network.

Utilizing established mechanisms such as the Youth Parliament and similar platforms to increase awareness of the Model was also proposed as a mechanism for sensitizing key stakeholders including subject ministries and ministers responsible for reporting on Member States’ human rights obligations.

Standardize HIV education across the Region  

 The lack of standardized HIV education at the tertiary level was identified as a barrier for reducing HIV infections; participants proposed advocating for the introduction of such a programme through collaborations with Ministries of Education with the intention of exposing youth within vulnerable groups to new data on HIV and AIDS.

Comprehensive proposal on saving costs through reducing HIV infections

Participants underscored the importance of highlighting the connection between saving costs within the health care sector and reducing HIV infections.  A detailed, evidence-based proposal illustrating the financial savings from reducing HIV infections was proposed as a mechanism to empower parliamentarians to advocate at the highest-level for domestic funding for the HIV response.

Next steps for stakeholders

Parliamentarians committed to advancing strategic initiatives to adopt the Model Anti-Discrimination Legislation. These included identifying the barriers to countries’ adoption of the Model Legislation; introducing Private Members Bill, utilizing existing Parliamentary Social Services Committees; sensitizing parliamentarians on the Bill, judicial activism; and establishing a Regional Parliamentarian Network.

National AIDS Managers, Civil Society Leaders and Youth Leaders committed to working collaboratively at the national level to advance elements of the PANCAP Justice for All (JFA) Programme, including policy advocacy for the provision of psychosocial support as part of the elements of the JFA Roadmap; addressing social protection issues including domestic violence through interagency collaboration and social determinants of health; mapping civil society service delivery; and to strategically  collaborate with Live Up! The Caribbean Media Alliance.

Faith leaders committed among others to continuing and strengthening their response to HIV; sharing best practices within the faith community; delivering education to address stigma and discrimination; highlighting the responsibilities that are associated with sex, and providing love and compassion.

In his closing remarks, Dr Edward Greene former UN Secretary-General Special Envoy for HIV in the Caribbean, now PANCAP Special Advisor challenged participants to remain committed to the proposed review of the PANCAP Justice for All Roadmap and to enact the proposed initiatives with the overarching aim of successfully achieving the 90-90-90 Targets by 2020, and keeping on track for ending AIDS by 2030. He also challenged secular and faith stakeholders to foster age-related sexual education, promote tolerance and respect and to reconcile the difference between the rule of law and theology through respectful dialogue.

-ENDS –

  What is PANCAP?

PANCAP is a Caribbean regional partnership of governments, regional civil society organisations, regional institutions and organisations, bilateral and multilateral agencies and contributing donor partners which was established on 14 February 2001. PANCAP provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, coordinates the response through the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS to maximise efficient use of resources and increase impact, mobilises resources and build capacity of partners.

What are the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 Targets?

• By 2020, 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status.
• By 2020, 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy.
• By 2020, 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.

Contact:

Timothy Austin

Communications Specialist

PANCAP Coordinating Unit

CARICOM Secretariat

Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana

Email:      taustin.consultant@caricom.org

Tel: (592) 222-0001-75, Ext. 3409  | Visit www.PANCAP.org

Tuesday, 24 April, 2018 (PANCAP Coordinating Unit, CARICOM Secretariat): The Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), the mechanism that provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, commenced the Joint Regional Dialogue with Faith Leaders, Parliamentarians, Civil Society Leaders, National AIDS Programme (NAP) Managers and Youth Leaders in Port-of-Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago with approximately 60 delegates.

The meeting came two years ahead of the 2020 deadline for reaching the 90-90-90 targets—90% of people living with HIV diagnosed, 90% of diagnosed people on treatment and 90% of those on treatment virally suppressed.

In his opening remarks, Director of PANCAP, Mr Dereck Springer stated that the meeting seeks to affirm the work done in response to HIV by stakeholder groups and individual organizations across the region. He explained that the five thematic areas for discussion include i) Access to HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health Services including adolescents’ access; ii) Stigma and Discrimination against People Living with HIV (PLHIV); iii) Access to Justice and Redress iv) Gender inclusive policies and laws; and v) Comprehensive sexuality education in schools.

The Director further explained that the aforementioned thematic areas were suggested by the stakeholders who participated in the various PANCAP consultations in 2016 and 2017 with faith leaders, parliamentarians, youth, key populations and NAP managers.

He stated, “We must now build upon these outcomes by facilitating the collaboration and partnership of our five stakeholder groups to take collective action to end AIDS by 2030”.

The PANCAP Director explained that the objective of the meeting is to move the stakeholders beyond information sharing and sensitization to discussing and agreeing on mechanisms or strategies for effecting harmonized and sustainable partnerships and collaboration between all stakeholder groups at the organizational, national, regional and international levels for ending AIDS.

Mr Springer highlighted that the most significant objective of the meeting is the identification of realistic joint organizational, national, regional and international level activities that the participants can partner, collaborate and engage in to advance the PANCAP Justice for All Roadmap and the Model Anti-Discrimination Legislation which was approved in 2012 but which no country has to date adopted in whole or in part. He emphasized the need for respectful dialogue over the next two days.

Dr Edward Greene former UN Secretary-General Special Envoy for HIV in the Caribbean, now PANCAP Special Advisor delivered remarks on behalf of Professor Donald Simeon, Chair, Priority Areas Coordinating Committee (PACC) and Deputy Chair, PANCAP Executive Board. Professor Simeon in his speech emphasized the importance of examining the effects of stigma and discrimination. He noted that as a Health Research Scientist, he understands the value of using differences for the greater good. He explained that by observing how and why a few individuals respond differently to a specific exposure, many critical hypotheses can be generated, leading to life-saving discoveries in the field of medicine. Professor Simeon challenged the participants to seize the opportunity and use their differences to strengthen the regional response against HIV.

In her remarks, Hon. Nicolette Henry, Minister of Education, Republic of Guyana and Chair, PANCAP Regional Coordinating Mechanism commended PANCAP for creating a platform for collaboration among such a wide cross-section of stakeholders. “The dialogue has brought together a diverse group of advocates, experts, practitioners and stakeholders from across the region which is an embodiment of the commitment to achieve the internationally agreed targets for ending AIDS at national and regional levels,” stated Minister Henry.

She further stated that the Dialogue provides an ideal opportunity to take stock and reflect on how far we have come, and how far we have yet to go. She urged participants to collectively examine the many challenges still faced by the Caribbean in ending AIDS such as the annual number of new infections among adults across the Caribbean, which has remained static for the last six years at an estimated 17 000 as reported in 2016.

Minister Henry also highlighted that one-third (33%) of our Caribbean people living with HIV on treatment were not virally suppressed in 2016. “Additionally, retaining people on treatment has proven challenging for most countries in the region”, stated the Minister, “notably, of all people living with HIV in the Caribbean, 36% were unaware of their HIV status in 2016. And late diagnosis is still a challenge, particularly for men”.

Minister Henry also advocated for collective action for domestic financing of the HIV response. “If we are to ensure sustainability of the regional response and for ending AIDS, many countries in the region have to do more to make AIDS and health a financial priority,” stated the Minister, “let me say also that sustainability is not just about resources. It is also about ensuring that our responses are the most effective, based on science and epidemiology, and targeting those most in need. Sustainability is also about partnership”.

The Minister noted strong growth in the region’s HIV response, however, she warned that “more still needs to be done in order to sustain the response and the gains made”.

The Hon. Ayanna Webster-Roy, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, holding the portfolios of Gender and Child Affairs, Ecclesiastical Affairs and Central Administration Services, Tobago, in her feature address commended PANCAP for convening the meeting and thanked participants for tackling the issue of stigma and discrimination with honest discussions. She said that initiatives such as this are imperative as the Caribbean has a long way to go to achieve a future free of AIDS.

“As I look into the audience, I see a gathering of like-minded individuals who share a common interest for improving and sustaining the HIV and AIDS response within the region” stated Minister Webster-Roy, “It is through meetings like these that the realization of our future goal of ending AIDS by 2030 will be achieved”.

She further stated that the Region has made significant progress to date. “The Caribbean has halved the number of new infections among adults between 2000 and 2014”, stated the Minister, “however, our work is far from complete, as we have existing and new challenges to address. With the world economic downturn and the pending withdrawal of two key international donors, the funding mechanism will be affected in some countries, and the participating organizations gathered today, will be tasked with finding innovative ways for addressing the needs for sustaining our response campaigns”.

Minister Webster-Roy also challenged participants to examine national and regional issues and goals and to take into consideration the targets established by the United Nations High Level Meeting Political Declaration June 2016 on ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030; the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals approved by 192 nations at the United Nations in September 2015, and the commitments made by civil society, faith-based and other implementing stakeholder groups for ending AIDS.

She indicated “if we agree that our aim is a future free of AIDS and a reduction in the number of new HIV infections and if we understand that the effective guarantee of Human Rights is essential for our Sustainable Development Goals, we must also recognize that open, honest and consistent dialogue and collaboration are paramount to the achievement of our national, regional and international goals”.

The Minister emphasized that the region recognises that HIV is a critical development problem, which affects quality of life, labour, families, communities and the national economy in the present and the future. “Therefore, it is in your interest, along with all of our partners and stakeholders to ensure we all perform our critical roles in the care of persons infected and affected with HIV,” stated the Minister.

The Minister stated that all stakeholders must ensure that they all perform their critical roles in the prevention of and protection against HIV infection, and the mitigation of the spread of the disease. “It is conversations like these, which allow everyone, including representatives from Governments, to efficiently and effectively support meaningful change that benefits the region”.

The Minister reminded participants that CARICOM’s Vision Statement proposes a “Caribbean Community that is integrated, inclusive and resilient; driven by knowledge, excellence, innovation and productivity; a Community where every citizen is secure and has the opportunity to realise his or her potential with guaranteed human rights and social justice; and contributes to, and shares in, its economic, social and cultural prosperity; a Community which is a unified and competitive force in the global arena”.

Minister Webster-Roy invited participants to keep this vision in mind as they deliberate and agree on joint national and regional level policy formulation and activities for advancing the short, medium and long-term goals of the PANCAP Justice For All Roadmap to chart the way forward.

Minister Webster-Roy also pledged Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to ending AIDS and removing barriers of stigma and discrimination despite the challenges currently faced by the country. “I pledge our commitment to creating an environment that is both respectful and supportive to all including those living with or affected by HIV” she stated. “These are goals that I wholeheartedly believe we can achieve if we continue to place HIV and AIDS at the forefront of issues facing the Caribbean”.

The Minister underscored that the Joint Dialogue is another step in the correct direction for laying the foundations for increasing engagement and promoting solidarity among stakeholder groups as well as the persons they serve.

It is intended that the two-day Dialogue will culminate with practical and strategic initiatives for collaboration by all stakeholders under the PANCAP Justice for ALL (JFA) Programme for ending the AIDS epidemic.

– ENDS –

What is PANCAP?

PANCAP is a Caribbean regional partnership of governments, regional civil society organisations, regional institutions and organisations, bilateral and multilateral agencies and contributing donor partners which was established on 14 February 2001. PANCAP provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, coordinates the response through the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS to maximise efficient use of resources and increase impact, mobilises resources and build capacity of partners.

What are the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 Targets?

• By 2020, 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status.
• By 2020, 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy.
• By 2020, 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.

Contact:
Timothy Austin
Communications Specialist
PANCAP Coordinating Unit
CARICOM Secretariat
Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana
Email: taustin.consultant@caricom.org
Tel: (592) 222-0001-75, Ext. 3409 | Visit www.PANCAP.org