New Frontiers in Caribbean Regional Cooperation
on HIV and AIDS
Partners
Caribbean
Community of
Nations (CARICOM)
Pan-Caribbean
Partnership against
HIV and AIDS (PANCAP)
Government of Federal
Republic of Brazil
New Frontiers in Caribbean Regional Cooperation on HIV and AIDS
Background
The Caribbean has the second
highest HIV prevalence rate among
the regions of the world. At the
same time, Brazil has won acclaim
for its success in mitigating the
impact of HIV through the
application of progressive social
policies, innovative prevention
strategies and distribution of free
antiretroviral treatment.
In 2005, the Caribbean Community
and Brazil signed a landmark
technical cooperation agreement to
exchange expertise in the field of
HIV.
New Frontiers in Caribbean Regional Cooperation on HIV and AIDS
Objectives
Innovation
Apply lessons learned from the
Brazil experience to strengthen
institutional and technical capacity
of Caribbean countries in response
to the HIV epidemic.
The cooperation agreement resulted
from by a high-level Caribbean mission
to Brazil in 2005. Primarily, the focus
was on strengthening the institutional
capacity of 15 countries within the
enabling environment of the PanCaribbean Partnership against HIV and
AIDS.
Greater involvement of NGOs,
including networks of persons living
with HIV, through cross-cultural
exchanges.
Enhanced capacity to track the HIV
epidemic through effective
monitoring and evaluation.
The initiative was managed by a
coordinating committee involving key
representatives from the providing and
receiving entities and all stakeholders
were provided with quarterly updates
on progress, issues and challenges.
New Frontiers in Caribbean Regional Cooperation on HIV and AIDS
Results
Applicability
After three years of active
implementation, the following benefits
were evident: 15 countries enhanced their
national strategic planning processes,
including the infusion of strong monitoring
and evaluation components.
Multi-country initiatives
are inherently difficult to
manage and require
effective coordination,
synergy of priorities, a
clear results framework
and the commitment to
building on successes in
order to be replicated
successfully.
Senior level professionals from 13 countries
benefited from advanced training in
monitoring and evaluation.
8 regional youth leaders participated in the
Brazil Youth Congress on HIV.
Brazilian experts enhanced their capacity
to function in the geographically
widespread and culturally diverse countries
of the Caribbean.