9 November 2012 - Seeking to alter attitudes and behaviour surrounding HIV/AIDS, UNMISS completed a 10-day training of Change Agents today in the Upper Nile State capital of Malakal.

The exercise aimed to equip the 41 participants with knowledge, skills and attitudes to plan, organize, conduct, monitor and evaluate trainings in HIV behavioral change in their work places.

"We expect the graduates to go back to their respective places of work and exhibit what they have learned during this 10-day training," UNMISS HIV/AIDS Unit head in Upper Nile Eunice Ayikoru said during the closing ceremony.

UNMISS State Coordinator Deborah Schein urged graduates to encourage communities to change their behaviors and think differently about HIV/AIDS.

"You should go out there and be there for your people, encourage them to change and think differently about the problem of HIV/AIDS ... it is a problem that impacts on the whole world," said Ms. Schein.

Participants said the knowledge they had acquired would make a big difference in their work places and communities. Topics included HIV prevention strategies, including safer sex practices, parent to child transmission, HIV/AIDS management and blood safety and standard precautions.

The workshop drew members of the South Sudan National Police, Prisons, Wildlife and Fire Brigade services as well as the South Sudan Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commission. Others came from the State Ministry of Education, Upper Nile University, local non-governmental organizations, civil society and UNMISS.