Home 
Regions and Countries Regional Cooperation Greater Mekong Subregion Publications Proceedings of Ministerial, Forum, and Working Group Meetings Third Meeting of the Working Group on Human Resource Development
Third Meeting of the Working Group on Human Resource DevelopmentIntroductionThe Third Meeting of the Working Group on Human Resource development (WGHRD-3), was held in Kunming, People's Republic of China (PRC) on 15-16 November 2000. The Meeting was co-organized by the Ministry of Health, Disease Control Department of PRC, the Foreign Affairs Office of Yunnan Province, PRC, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The participants included delegations from Cambodia, the People's Republic of China (PRC), Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Representatives from the Mekong Institute, the Mekong River Commission (MRC), the United Nations International Drug Control Program (UNDCP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), World Vision International, Australian Volunteers International (AVI), the Doi Tung Development Project and ADB also attended. The list of participants is attached as Appendix 1. The Meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Chen Xianyi, Deputy Director-General of Disease Control Department, Ministry of Health, PRC, and Mr. Edward Haugh, Manager, Education and Health Division (West), ADB. The Meeting was divided into six sessions as follows: Session I - Introduction and Opening Session; Session II - Prevention and Control of HIV/ AIDS in the GMS; Session III - Field Visit-Kunming Spring Buds School; Session IV - Study on the Health and Education Needs of Ethnic Minorities in GMS; Session V - Forthcoming Activities; and Session VI - Conclusion. The Agenda and Program of the Meeting is attached as Appendix 2. Opening SessionHis Excellency Mr. Niu Shaoyao, Vice Governor of Yunnan Province, PRC, extended his cordial welcome to the participants. He noted the importance for GMS countries to establish a flexible and qualified cooperative system of HRD. As for PRC, the Government has developed a strategy for Development of Western China. Yunnan Government also set three strategic targets for Yunnan, as "strong province of green economy, of ethnic culture industry, and as passageway from China to Southeast Asia". To address the shortage of talent, the province has implemented positive HRD policies such as improving health care and education in ethnic areas, resuming studies for dropouts, improving women's education (especially ethnic), unified drug control, and HIV/AIDS prevention. Yunnan has set up the Labor Information Center that covers both employment and technical training. The WGHRD meeting is an occasion to explore new ways to advance cooperation, cognizant of the vast potential for HRD in the subregion. Dr. Chen Xianyi, Deputy Director-General of Disease Control Department, Ministry of Health, welcomed the participants on behalf of the Government of the People's Republic of China (PRC). He thanked the ADB for organizing the WGHRD as the forum for discussion and exchange of ideas on the demand for health and education for ethnic minorities and prevention of HIV/AIDS. As China attaches great importance to health and education of ethnic groups, Government at all levels has set up special policies to improve health and education of ethnic groups. As for HIV/AIDS, the Mid and Long Term Plan of the Prevention and Control of AIDS in China requires regions and departments to put prevention methods into practice and ensure target completion. He ended by saying that with further cooperation, common health and education problems in the subregion could be solved soon. Mr. Edward Haugh, Manager of AWEH, ADB, welcomed the participants to the Meeting and thanked the Government of PRC and Yunnan Province for their high level representation in H.E. Mr. Niu Shaoyao, Vice Governor of Yunnan Province, and Mr. Chen Xianyi, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Health. He noted that the working group, which aims to promote HRD cooperation in GMS, has had two meetings and a number of TA projects that are ongoing or completed. Objectives of the MeetingMr. Haugh explained that the objective of the meeting was (i) to provide a report of activities since the last meeting, (ii) exchange ideas on key human resource issues in GMS, (iii) learn from experiences of other funding agencies, and (iv) discuss the future agenda of the group. The focus of the meeting will be on preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS (day 1) and on health and education of ethnic minorities in the subregion (day 2), two closely interrelated issues. In the afternoon of day 1, a field trip to an ethnic minority school will be held, which should give valuable insights on effective methods of assistance to disadvantaged ethnic groups. The afternoon of day 2 will take up the assessment of the progress and proposed program for WGHRD. Prevention of HIV/AIDS in the GMSFor the first session, Mr. Indu Bhushan, Senior Project Economist, AWEH, ADB, introduced the TA team that presented the HIV/AIDS study. Ms. Eileen Darby of World Vision International (WVI) and team leader, presented the objectives of the study. These include informing key policy makers and international organizations about migration and mobility patterns, develop toolkits for organizing HIV/AIDS prevention activities for certain vulnerable migrant groups, and prepare a regional strategy for HIV/AIDS. The scope of the TA includes conduct of studies, literature reviews, and surveys. The TA will be implemented in a participatory way involving international agencies, NGOs, and participating governments and communities. World Vision (Australia) is undertaking management of the TA with the help of country support groups. A Steering Committee consisting of representatives from each of the six countries guides the implementation. Two meetings of the steering committee have been held. The methodology of the study involves active collaboration through teamwork and consultation and partnership with local, national, and regional stakeholders. Networking, participatory methods and gender analysis will also be utilized as part of the study. Major components include project establishment (including website), mobility and HIV/AIDS study, tool kits for HIV/ AIDS prevention, regional strategy, and TA management. Field-testing and dissemination activities planned under the TA, were presented. A web page, providing information about and the progress of the TA was launched Nov. 15 in Australia. Ms. Darby provided information about the basic architecture of the web page. Ms. Darby presented the preliminary findings of the mobility study, which identifies mobility and migration patterns within GMS and assesses the HIV/AIDS risk and vulnerability of each type of migrant. The study covers international and internal migration, immigration/ emigration, and internal and cross border population groups. One major trend in the population movement in Southeast Asia is that while in 1970s and early 80s, people were moving due to political problems, now the large proportion of movement relates to economic opportunities. Greater political openness is facilitating travel across borders. There has been an increase in the volume of women migrants. Large mobile populations, rise of entertainment/sex establishments and increasing economic prosperity have given rise to several HIV/AIDS "hot spots" in the region. Case studies on mobility in Cambodia and Yunnan were presented. The case studies included migration patterns, sending and receiving areas, typologies of migrant and mobile groups, assessment of their HIV risks, and "hotspots" of mobility and HIV risks. Discussions Mr. Indu Bhushan emphasized the importance of the study in the context of the GMS Program. He enjoined participants to give their views on both the processes and products presented under the TA. Mr. Seng Kan (Cambodia) expressed that HIV/AIDS came with the other problems that affected Cambodia, such as drug and human trafficking, and poverty. Mr. Sun Xinhua (PRC) identified business people as another risk group, and suggested their inclusion in the study. In Lao PDR, Mr. Ouam Senchandavong noted that risks are in the areas where infrastructure development takes place, which attract migrants. Dr. Than Tun Oo (Myanmar) identified truck drivers as high risk, and suggested that IEC materials should be tailored to this particular risk group. He noted that website will be useful for the government policy makers and the approach of the TA is on the right track. Ms. Siree Bunnag (Thailand) stressed the usefulness of the study, but asked for inclusion of Thailand in the study of mobile groups. The presence of extensive studies in Thailand will facilitate the TA team's review, and Thailand intends to extend strong cooperation in HIV/AIDS activities. Dr. Supachai Rerk-Ngarm (Thailand) stressed that effectiveness of the study, especially on the tool kits and regional strategy, will be impaired if Thailand is excluded from the study, being the destination of most migrants. Mr. Bhushan clarified that Thailand is not excluded- he noted the remarkable work done in the past in Thailand. He said the financial constraints limit the areas where field-testing could be done, but with more funds, field testing would be considered in Thailand. Mr. Hoang Viet Khang (Viet Nam) noted that tool kits should also be designed for other groups such as students and youth. Mr. Haugh said that given the many subsets of groups, ADB's role is simply to pave the way, with GMS Governments devoting their resources for priority groups. Organizations with strong involvement in HIV/AIDS issues in the subregion gave presentations on their organization's programs and activities. Their presentations are as follows: UNICEF Ms. Thazin Oo, UNICEF Regional HIV Project Officer, presented an overview of the activities being undertaken by UNICEF in the HIV/AIDS sector in East Asia and the Pacific. UNICEF closely works with UNAIDS and its programs include advocacy for children's rights, communication and social mobilization activities, protection of children from sexual exploitation, interventions for reducing mother to child transmission of HIV, etc. The UNICEF response to HIV/AIDS now shifted from project mode to full integration into programs. For the Mekong subregion, mechanisms for action include basing HIV/AIDS officers in each country office and technical assistance/activity development support. Priority program areas include health and development of young people, school AIDS education, communication, and care and support. UNDP Ms. Lee-Nah Hsu, Manager of UNDP Southeast Asia HIV and Development Project, noted the attendant risks of development, such as the faster spread of AIDS. A dam project in Ghana, for instance, was the source of HIV spread in that country. Similarly, dam projects in Lao PDR will make it vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. She cited a number of studies on the links between the mobility issue and HIV/AIDS vulnerabilities of Southeast Asia. One of the key points, Ms. Lee-Nah Hsu emphasized, is to expand the response paradigm, by looking at social, cultural, economic, and other factors that affect mobility. A narrow health sector based response to HIV/AIDS may not be sufficient or effective. She proposed complementing HIV/AIDS efforts by stimulating conditions reducing risk factors- such as for instance reducing the number of days truck drivers are on the road and therefore at risk of infection. She also appealed to GMS governments to implement training and orientation for departing and returning workers (re-integrees) to brief them of behavioral risk-factors for HIV/AIDS. UNAIDS Ms. Hsu, also representing UNAIDS, proceeded to discuss the UNAIDS structure for the Mobile Population and HIV Vulnerability Regional Task Force, with membership consisting of the core group (National AIDS Committees), affiliates (research institutions) and observers (convenor drug task force). Strategies include assessing, monitoring, and reviewing the situation in SE Asia, strategic planning for action, policy development, best practice and advocacy, and resource mobilization. Ms. Hsu then described the regional collaboration mechanism. Field Visit- Kunming Spring Buds SchoolMs. Zhang Ai, Vice President of Yunnan Women's Federation (YWF) welcomed everyone to the Girls' Class of Spring Buds, which is YWF's basic project. Since 1994, the program has assisted more than 10,000 girl dropouts from ethnic groups residing in poor mountain areas, to complete primary or middle school education. She enumerated the different financial aid programs under the Spring Flower Bud Project, such as the yearly financial aid allotment (400 RMB per person) and the bridge campaign, matching donors to the needy girls. The aided girls, who study hard and are models of moral behavior, are expected to fill the need for high quality talents needed for social and economic sustainable development of Yunnan province. Mr. Xiao Shun Kang, Headmaster, similarly welcomed the participants to the school, and stressed the importance of education to counter girls' sexual discrimination. He gave a brief history of Spring Bud classes and noted that the girls are from poor minority groups, and are helped by local governments, circles, and fellow students. The school has been praised for instructive work by local and foreign organizations. He stressed that the spirit of the project, to develop the students' self respect, self confidence and self dependence, will continue with support of the YWF. On behalf of ADB, Mr. Ed Haugh thanked the Yunnan Women's Federation for graciously hosting the visit by the WGHRD participants. He stressed the compatibility of the goals of the WGHRD and the YWF. He stated that girls education is one of the best investments a country can make. He added that there is much to learn in its project activities, such as outreach programs in rural areas, and drop out prevention activities. He further noted the bright promise many students have shown, as demonstrated by high pass rates in the key subjects, and wished the program continued success. Day 2Opening the second day's session, Mr. Haugh gave a summary of the previous day's discussions. He emphasized that preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS requires a multi-sectoral approach. In fact in many instances, health ministries were the least capable of addressing the HIV/AIDS problem. He suggested that WGHRD, with its multi-sectoral make-up, is well-placed to promote this approach. On the field visit, he reiterated the Spring Bud Project's laudable success in promoting girls' education. In contrast to some other education systems, Yunnan Province seemed to be achieving excellent educational outcomes. However, he noted that Kunming Middle School seems to be the beneficiary of substantial funds and this may not be achievable across the entire education system. Mr. Seng Kan (Cambodia) noted the difficulties in providing education to remote ethnic communities, so that Cambodia is studying ways for cost effective service delivery. Daw Tin Nwe (Myanmar) remarked that a similar approach is being undertaken in Myanmar. Study of the Health and Education Needs of Ethnic Minorities in GMSMr. Bhushan then introduced Mr. Myles Elledge, TA team leader (Research Triangle Institute, RTI) who presented the findings from ADB financed RETA: A Study of the Health and Education Needs of Ethnic Minorities in GMS. The highlights are given below. Introduction to the Project / Integrated ReportStudy objectives include: identifying constraints to access to health and education services; identifying good practice examples for overcoming the constraints; and supporting dissemination of findings and recommendations. The study approach conducted mainly through in-country researchers utilizes document and policy review, key informant interviews, and site visits and observation. Outputs include four country reports, good practice case studies, and an integrated report. The social sector approach provides for a coordinated approach involving education and health programs to reduce poverty. The various constraints ethnic groups face in accessing health and education services were then presented. Among constraints cited were physical, economic, fiscal, legal/policy, lack of understanding, competing systems, low service quality (low relevance), etc. A website on the TA has been operational for the last few months which provides information on the project's progress and outputs. CambodiaThe government of Cambodia recognizes the ethnic diversity of the nation, and recent political, economic and migration trends have had a major impact on the ethnic minority groups. The northeastern provinces, largely inhabited by ethnic minorities, have a high prevalence of malaria, diarrhea, acute respiratory infections, water and sanitation, nutrition, and drug/alcohol abuse. However, access to health care and quality of services remains a major problem due to low socioeconomic development levels, low literacy, poor facilities and financial constraints. In education, the problems are low enrollment and attendance, low achievement, low demand, language, and lack of teachers and facilities. The major challenges for the country include improving service reach, adopting integrated approach to support ethnic groups in remote areas, adjusted school hours and calendar, recruitment of ethnic persons as providers, and strategic plan for interventions during peak disease season.
|
 Back
Fourth Meeting of the Working Group on Human Resource Development | Next Appendix 1 |
© 2009 Asian Development Bank Privacy | Terms of Use |
 Top of page |
