UNICEF and Youth Organization run a camp on HIV/AIDS prevention for trainersAshgabat, Turkmenistan, 30 Sept 2005 – The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, jointly with the National Youth Organization, organised a ten day fall camp on HIV/AIDS prevention for young people from all five velayats (provinces) of Turkmenistan. About thirty young people at the age of 16-19 spent ten days acquiring life skills and learning methodologies of peer education on HIV/AIDS prevention. Organized in accordance with the National Programme on HIV/AIDS/STI prevention for 2005-2010 that emphasizes young people’s access to information, life skills and youth friendly services, the event symbolized the beginning of the World AIDS Day information campaign in Turkmenistan. “I am very grateful for having an opportunity to be a part of the camp,” said one of the participants. “Information and skills that have been taught at the camp will be useful in our daily life. We are committed to disseminating the knowledge we have acquired from the training to peers all around Turkmenistan, and explain that healthy lifestyle is vital. I feel very proud of getting the message to young people around us,” said Ayna Allaberdyeva, another participant. During the discussions participants gained the comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS transmission, and most importantly, practiced life skills to protect themselves and their peers from HIV/AIDS. Through live interactive exercises young people have learned about causes and consequences of HIV/AIDS and how they, as young members of society, could contribute to the prevention of the disease that affects millions of people around the globe. “I’m excited to see all of you learning how to prevent HIV/AIDS. You also learn how to resist and say no to unsafe lifestyle. You are someone who will pass on the knowledge to other people. Now it’s you who are getting trained but I hope to see all of you in nearest future conducting trainings for your peers in regions,” said Mahboob Shareef, UNICEF Representative in Turkmenistan, addressing the participants. The camp was organized with the support from the United Nations AIDS programme (UNAIDS), British Embassy in Turkmenistan, and International Organization for Migration (IOM). The training took place with the full cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and as Mr. Shareef noted, the event was another positive result of the joint collaboration between the Government of Turkmenistan and the United Nations Children’s Fund. UNICEF remains committed to working with the government to help fulfil its national priorities and international obligations covering children’s rights.
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