Dr. Ana Maria Navarro, UNAIDS representative for Cuba and the Dominican Republic, stressed that Cuba is a model for Latin America and the Caribbean not only because of its low levels of prevalence of the disease but also for its initiatives and programs.

During the Latin American and Caribbean Workshop on HIV/AIDS Prevention, from a socio-cultural perspective, (SIDACULT) that began yesterday in Havana, Roberto Galvez, the resident representative of the UN Development Program, highlighted Cuba’s role since the AIDS pandemic began in the 1980s.

He also praised the national plan “STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)/HIV/AIDS” based on four main pillars: epidemiological watch, health education, medical care, and research.

Meanwhile, Fernando Rojas, Deputy Culture Minister, said that culture is a very effective instrument to, with the promotion of values, contribute to prevention.
The event, which takes place until Friday, aims at promoting practices from a socio-cultural approach of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and creating new alliances for community work, among other goals.

SIDACULT is an initiative of the Regional Office of Culture for Latin America and the
Caribbean of UNESCO in Havana.

Specialists from several countries, including teachers, researchers, journalists and
officials from institutions and governmental organizations, are attending the meeting.

The main goal is to stop and to reduce the spreading of the pandemic by the year 2015, in complying with the UN Millennium Development Goals.