Box 12. Prevention of HIV/AIDS among Ethnic Minorities of the Upper Mekong Region: Lessons Learned The UNESCO Regional Unit for Social and Human Sciences in Asia and the Pacific coordinated a project aimed at HIV prevention among ethnic minorities of the Upper Mekong Region. This project was implemented in selected communities in southern China, northern Laos and northern Thailand, where the risk of HIV infection is very high, due in part to higher incidences of human trafficking and injecting drug use among ethnic minority groups. Under this project, educational materials were developed in local languages, in order to counter the lack of culturally appropriate information regarding HIV prevention among ethnic minority communities. In the Phase I of the project, a detailed survey of the HIV prevalence amongst the ethnic groups in the pilot areas was carried out. Based on this survey, preventive materials (posters, booklets, video cassettes, audio tapes, puppet shows, etc.) in local languages in the three pilot areas were developed. These materials were tested, evaluated, modified and have been reproduced for use by NGOs and other community organizations to promote HIV education. The project evaluation highlights important lessons learned for future work on HIV prevention with ethnic minority communities. Among the findings and recommendations of the evaluation:  72 Translation of materials into local languages was positively received. However, the materials were not always based on the particular ethnic audience, but instead imported from lowland cultures. Stereotypes and mainstream responses to problems were reproduced without taking into account the particular vulnerabilities of ethnic minorities. In China, videos produced using local footage and featuring the Lahu minority culture and custom proved more effective.  More use could be made of non-formal teaching networks and teachers to help instigate behavioural change, rather than just knowledge transfer. Education on the social development context, and directed to risk factors of specific cultures and behaviours is needed. The moralising approach and stigmatization of traditional cultural practices was considered unsustainable. It was recommended, for example, that condom use be promoted in the practice of multi-partner sexual relations rather than prohibition of pre-marital sex.  The surveys prepared were problematic (due to length and culturally inappropriate questions) but did reveal some trends, including that knowledge of HIV is not well integrated into local understandings. The greatest value of the survey was to encourage dialogue with local ethnic minority communities on the issues. Traditional healers were not sufficiently referred to as resource persons, and more time could have been allocated to ensure the participation of community members with direct experience of injecting drug use or commercial sex. The promotion of grassroots involvement at all stages of the programme was strongly recommended. Source: http://www.unescobkk.org/rushsap/ programmes-and-activities/prevention-of-hivaids- among-ethnic-minorities-upper-mekong-region/ M A R G I N A L I S E D M I N O R I T I E S I N D E V E LO P M E N T P R O G R A M M I N g