These United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) booklets are the first in a series of publications that address key themes of HIV & AIDS and the education sector.

Booklet 1 - Overview provides an overview of why HIV and AIDS are important issues for the education sector, identifies weaknesses in current policy and programming, and highlights evidence gaps. Click here to download a PDF of Booklet 1.

Booklet 2 - HIV & AIDS and Safe, Secure and Supportive Learning Environments discusses issues affecting learners in the context of HIV and AIDS, including rights and access to education, protection, knowledge and skills, and care and support. Click here to download a PDF of Booklet 2.

Booklet 3 - HIV & AIDS and Educator Development, Conduct and Support discusses issues affecting educators in the context of HIV and AIDS, including training, conduct, and care and support. Click here to download a PDF of Booklet 3.

Booklet 4 - HIV & AIDS and Educator Development, Partnerships in Practice concentrates on the role and importance of strategic partnerships in developing education sector responses to HIV and AIDS. It discusses types of partnerships in HIV & AIDS and education and how partnerships can support "Education for All (EFA)" and universal access. Click here to download a PDF of Booklet 4.

Booklet 5 - HIV & AIDS and Educator Development, Effective Learning discusses the topic of effective learning using illustrative examples. It includes quality education, the impact of HIV and AIDS on learning communities, developing effective educational materials, and planning and implementation. Factors that contribute to effective learning, establishing a supportive environment, using appropriate teaching and learning content and methods, providing support for educators, and providing support for learners are among the topics. Click here to download a PDF of Booklet 5.

Booklets 2 and 3 also include a bibliography, a list of practical tools and resources, and sources of additional information.

The booklets are intended for a wide audience and are based on a review of published and unpublished literature, programme activities (undertaken primarily but not exclusively by UNESCO) and case studies. They aim to highlight issues and lessons learned and suggest policy and programming strategies and actions in less developed countries to improve the quality of learning environments, and to support educators in efforts to strengthen education on HIV and AIDS.

It should be noted that the review found few examples of HIV and AIDS programmes or initiatives that have been rigourously evaluated and very little documentation of experience in non-formal settings. As such, the booklets are a work-in-progress.

English; French is forthcoming.

Email from Scheherazade Feddal to The Communication Initiative, March 4 2009.