1. Consensus Building Workshop for an Advocacy Strategy on Population Issues in Lebanon 3 – 4 April 2006 Presented by: Dr Alissar Rady, National Professional Officer - WHO Needs Assessment for Advocacy on Youth and HIV/AIDS In Lebanon

2. Methodology : Extensive Literature Review (39 References) Key informant interviews ( 40 informants) Study over 3 months

3. What is the current situation of HIV/AIDS and Youth in Lebanon? Many good opportunities …… But also many constraints!!!

4. Currently Political commitment of the government to foster the national response to HIV …But no specific policy statement about Youth and HIV, nor a national Youth and HIV strategy

5. =>Advocacy suggestions Finalization and adoption of the National Youth Policy

6. Currently Special Budget line for HIV interventions at MOPH, …But multi-sectoral commitment in terms of budgets remains poorly applied.

7. Ensuring sustainability of HIV/AIDS Interventions =>Advocacy suggestions

8. Currently Strong leadership of the NAP/MOPH …but weak multi sectoral involvement in planning and implementation

9. Ensuring the involvement of Youth, PLWA, Government sectors other than MOPH, The NGO sector, and the civil society at large in the planning and implementation of HIV/AIDS interventions =>Advocacy suggestions

10. Currently A UNTG that with a chairmanship rotation …but the UN TG HIV/AIDS plan remains fragmented

11. Ensuring mainstreaming of Resources =>Advocacy suggestions

12. Currently Relatively High Literacy and Information technology rates …negative connotations associated with Globalization

13. Ensuring development of a strong and sustained partnership with the Media =>Advocacy suggestions

14. Currently Relative permissiveness and openness of the Lebanese society on “taboo issues” …but a high social diversity creating conflictual attitudes

15. Initiation of a national dialogue on Youth SRH including HIV/AIDS issues and rights =>Advocacy suggestions

16. Currently Long standing and active contribution of NGOs in terms of safe behavior Promotion, Care and Counseling …but high dependency on donations

17. Improvement of the NGOs capacity in fund raising and projects management =>Advocacy suggestions

18. Currently A large and widely spread Health system … But poorly adapted to youth health services and counseling needs

19. Improving access to HIV protection means Integration of HIV/AIDS in STIs/SRH programs Improving access to youth friendly services =>Advocacy suggestions

20. Currently Large availability of researchers and academicians ….but poor coordination, no sharing and dissemination of information and poor representativeness of data

21. Advocate for improving quality and availability of data related to Youth risk behavior for HIV =>Advocacy suggestions

22. It is high time…. to move fast and ahead