EVALUATION OF PARTICIPATION OF SASKIA WOODLY IN FY-10 MRP

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000084 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OEXC KPAO SCUL NS SUBJECT: EVALUATION OF PARTICIPATION OF SASKIA WOODLY IN FY-10 MRP "HIV/AIDS EDUCATION AND PREVENTION IN THE U.S." ¶1. (U) Overview and positives: Saskia Woodly, Prevention Manager at the National AIDS Program in Suriname, participated in the FY 2010 Multi-Regional Program "HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention in the U.S." from November 16 through December 4, 2009. During her post-trip briefing, Woodly thanked the U.S. Government for a great educational and eye-opening experience. She was particularly impressed by the number of NGOs active in the fight against HIV and AIDS in the U.S., as exemplified by their influence on their respective communities as well as the level of assistance they receive from the government. She was very pleased with the program organizers and the efforts made to give participants the opportunity to experience American culture. ¶2. (SBU) Suggestions: Although Woodly commended and thanked the U.S. Government for a well organized program, she expressed disappointment that the program was not built around World AIDS Day. Several participants - including Woodly - hoped to participate in World AIDS Day activities in the U.S., but instead found themselves traveling from Indianapolis to Atlanta for most of the day. Woodly also suggested to "better prepare" participants for the program, as she felt that some of her peers did not know the program's purpose or what to expect. ¶3. (U) Impact: In the U.S., Woodley saw firsthand - and was impressed by - the level of volunteerism as well as the number of HIV/AIDS programs for older individuals. In Suriname, Woodley intends to work on increasing youth volunteerism and creating HIV/AIDS initiatives for 50-plussers (an underserved demographic according to Woodly) - applying insights from the program as she develops both ideas. She also hopes to leverage the program's network of contacts to facilitate NGO capacity building. Woodly also hopes to remain in contact with the people met through the program - both fellow participants as well as NGO representatives - to exchange best practices and ideas, and maybe even cooperate on developing special programs. NAY