Lao PDR

UNDP News

Addressing HIV and AIDS by promoting leadership

UNDP in partnership with the Government of Lao PDR held the final “Leadership for Results” workshop in Pakse from the 2 – 5 October. The “Leadership for Results,” is based on a unique methodology that helps build partnerships, overcome institutional inaction, generate innovations, and produce breakthrough results essential for halting the HIV and AIDS epidemic.

HIV and AIDS is one of the greatest development challenges of our time. The devastation wrought by AIDS affects us at many levels – individual, community, institutional and societal. The epidemic forces us to look closely at personal and collective attitudes, behaviours and norms that contribute to its spread.

HIV is not only about a virus. It is also about shame and guilt, gender inequality, power relations, silence and denial, stigma and discrimination. As a complex phenomenon, it requires an extraordinary response that comprehensively addresses the multiple factors that fuel its growth, progressively realizes policies that reduce vulnerability and protect rights, and energizes institutions to implement effective responses.

Since 2002, UNDP has applied the Leadership for Results workshop to scale-up and lead change in the national responses in over 30 countries in every region of the world. The Leadership for Results develops the capacity of local leaders to address HIV and AIDS by promoting leadership at all levels to transform the response to HIV/AIDS. Therefore, in close collaboration with the Government of Lao PDR, UNDP brought together more than 100 representatives from all provinces, various government ministries as well as mass organizations – including Buddhist monks, and people living with HIV and AIDS to develop individual and group action in addressing the underlying causes of the epidemic. A series of workshops were held, the final one in Pakse where the leaders attending formed 7 “break through” groups in charge, since the beginning of the programme, of creating a transformed response to HIV and AIDS in the country. Groups looked at increasing HIV prevention among rural housewives in the South, ensuring certain provinces implement 100% Condom Use Programme, improving access to condoms within the Army and increasing access to information on HIV through radio.

The work began in January at the first “Leadership for Results” workshop held in Vientiane from January 24-27. During this time, the National Strategy and Action Plan on HIV/AIDS/STI in the Lao PDR 2006-2010 was approved, and at the workshop some “Leadership for Results” concepts were introduced and 7 breakthrough initiatives created. The second “Leadership for Results” held in Luang Prabang from 30 May – 2 June, introduced additional “Leadership for Results” concepts with a focus on how to turn breakdowns into breakthroughs. .

The rationale behind the “Leadership for Results” workshops is to encourage the formation of strong leadership on HIV/AIDS related issues within all sectors, beyond those traditionally involved in an HIV/AIDS response. By building the commitment, capacity and ownership – both at personal and institutional levels– the leaders graduating from this training will be able to create ‘breakthrough results', in order to contain the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the Lao PDR.