www.aids2014.org impact evaluation of a training program on drug policy, hiv and human rights in...
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Drug Policy, HIV and Human Rights - Contributions for Reflection and Action Virtual course two months long Aimed to activists and professionalsTRANSCRIPT
www.aids2014.org
Impact evaluation of a training program on drug policy, HIV and human rights in Latin America
Graciela TouzéPablo Cymerman
María Eugenia D´AgostinoIntercambios Civil Association - Argentina
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Background
• Harassment, discrimination, and abuse
• Prohibitionist drug policy and human rights violations
• Drug users´ vulnerability to HIV infection
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Drug Policy, HIV and Human Rights - Contributions for Reflection and Action
• Virtual course two months long
• Aimed to activists and professionals
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Objectives
• Provide a general framework about international and regional mechanisms
• Analyze convergences and divergences• Offer evidences of drug policy impacts on
criminalization, health and HIV and hepatitis epidemics
• Identify human rights violations• Provide tools for action
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Key topics• Stigma / Discrimination• Human Rights• UN and Inter American
drug control and human rights systems
• Impact of drug policy on criminalization, health and social situation, HIV and Hepatitis epidemics
• Identification of human rights violations
• Advocacy strategies
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Virtual campus
• Mentoring • Internal mail• Discussion forums• Virtual library• Videos • Virtual coffee room
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Scholarship program
• Supported by Open Society Foundations and Levi Strauss Foundation
• 6 courses between 2010 and 2012
• 477 participants
• 89% were awarded scholarships
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2013 impact evaluation
• Random sample = 95 participants (20%)
• More than 50% under 35 years old• Wide range of professional backgrounds
(28% mental health field)• Distributed in 16 Latin American countries• Most (48%) were governmental officials
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• “I am member of the team involved in human rights education for military staff at the Defense Ministry. The course helped me to improve my work” (Lucila, Uruguay).
• “I was a drug user for many years; currently I conduct a referral centre. I am very motivated with this course because discrimination is a real fact in my country” (Roddy, Panama).
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• “I´m a lawyer and I coordinate the legal area of a LGBT NGO. I use this course´s contents to benefit the people I work with” (Gustavo, Argentina).
• “I work at the Penitentiary System; I´m glad to participate in this course and improve my performance” (Karen, Guatemala).
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Interest and contents• Course fully fulfilled interests and expectations:
88%• Contents were very good: 91%
“This course has helped me to get scientific evidences to improve drug users´ quality of life” (Gayle, Mexico).“The lessons have been very interesting as knowing experiences and opinions of the rest of the group as well. I took a great deal of reflections on these issues” (Juan, Argentina).
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Utility
• Course had contributed to their performance: 89%– “new approaches” (29%) – “inputs for intervention” (12%)– “legal information” (10%)
“The course gave me many tools for action and new ways to think on these problems” (Rodrigo, Chile)
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Changes
• Changes in everyday practices: 65%– the way they perceived drug problems (42%)– gained better understanding on drug users’
situation (15%)– redesigned projects or activities (7%)
“This course has helped me to see things I had in front of my eyes and I have never noticed” (Carlos, Ecuador)
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Initiatives
• 53% undertook a new activity– foundation of NGO in Costa Rica – certification program at Bolivian university– advocacy lesson in PAHO course
“It was my pleasure to take this course; it will benefit a lot the population I represent” (Federico, Colombia)
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Training opportunities
• 83% knew no other training opportunity on drug policy, HIV and human rights in Latin America
• 92% would recommend the program to a colleague
“As a public defender, this course was of great interest because most of my clients are drug users” (Cecilia, Uruguay)
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Lessons learned
• Challenge common misconceptions about drug users was well received by participants of the training program.
• Training continuity is a key component to sustain advocacy efforts articulated with research and intervention initiatives.
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Next steps
• A critical mass of key stakeholders needs to be strengthened.
• Capacity-building must be complemented with networking and partnership.
• Seek for more commitment from local authorities.
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Thank you for your attention!!!
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