United Nations Volunteers (UNV) in Viet Nam

UNV has placed two of its UN Volunteers in UNDP’s HIV/AIDS related projects over the past years and since 2003 HIV/AIDS has become one of the strategic priorities for UNV Viet Nam. A feasibility study and project development process for a South East Asian Regional Project For GIPA has recently been conducted in parallel with UNV Laos. The UNV GIPA project in Viet Nam and the Lao PDR will link to the two existing ones in Cambodia and Indonesia, and with the GIPA programmes and experiences in Thailand. In Viet Nam the project will be implemented in close partnership with UNAIDS and the Women's Union The project aims to mobilize people whose lives have been affected by the epidemic as national UN Volunteers who could provide important support, training and community advocacy and also give a public voice for the affected and to make them visible through engaging them in decision-making positions. In preparation for this project, an English tutoring scheme was set up in 2004 to link volunteer tutors (UNV Associates) with people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Enhanced English language skills are important for greater participation in international HIV/AIDS networks and fora.

HIV/AIDS key issues for the Government

• Employment for PLWA
• Care and treatment for PLWA
• Data/ information accessibility
• Advocacy to erase stigma and discrimination
• Legalization of voluntary groups for and run by PLWA

English Tutoring Scheme

UNV has placed two of its UN Volunteers in UNDP’s HIV/AIDS related projects over the past years and since 2003 HIV/AIDS has become one of the strategic priorities for UNV Viet Nam.

A feasibility study and project development process for a South East Asian Regional Project For GIPA has recently been conducted in parallel with UNV Laos. The UNV GIPA project in Viet Nam and the Lao PDR will link to the two existing ones in Cambodia and Indonesia, and with the GIPA programmes and experiences in Thailand.

In Viet Nam the project will be implemented in close partnership with UNAIDS and the Women's Union. The project aims to mobilize people whose lives have been affected by the epidemic as national UN Volunteers who could provide important support, training and community advocacy and also give a public voice for the affected and to make them visible through engaging them in decision-making positions.

In preparation for this project, an English tutoring scheme was set up in 2004 to link volunteer tutors (UNV Associates) with people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Under the tutoring scheme, so far more than 60 people (including those living with HIV/AIDS, nurses and doctors who work in the field) are taught about HIV/AIDS in English. 15 UNV Associates have been recruited to facilitate this scheme.

Enhanced English language skills are important for greater participation in international HIV/AIDS networks and fora. That will allow those on the frontline of the fight against HIV/AIDS to better interact with the international community as well as to access international knowledge and experiences related to HIV/AIDS programmes.

Contact: (to be updated)

(Updated June 2005)