New ESCAP initiative to integrate youth health concerns into
non-formal education

The Human Resources Development Section earlier this year commenced a new three-year project to integrate youth health concerns into non-formal education. The project, funded by the Government of Japan, is being implemented in six countries (Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Lao PDR and Nepal) and focuses on sexual and reproductive health and prevention of substance abuse and HIV/AIDS as key youth health issues.

The objectives of the first phase of the project, being implemented during 2001, include raising awareness among governments and NGOs; identifying and documenting successful experiences in the region in conveying critical health messages to young people through non-formal education; and adopting/developing IEC materials to be utilised for non-formal education programmes for youth.

In the second and third phases of the project, counterpart organisations in the participating countries will develop a training curriculum, conduct training for non-formal education service providers and implement post-training follow-up activities, including the documentation of successful approaches in integrating youth health messages into non-formal education.

© 1997-2001 United Nations ESCAP.