Context

Repositioning family planning to reduce unmet need for modern contraception and upholding the reproductive rights of couples and individuals are important areas of UNFPA's work in the EECA region, which also support the global commitment to Family Planning 2020.  

ViC aims to support countries to build institutional capacity in the area of rights-based family planning through an interactive learning package for evidence-based family planning, and is a direct response to a recommendation made in the 2012 UNFPA EECARO and IPPF-EN high-level meeting to "build the capacity of service providers (through pre- and post-graduate education, for instance through use of modem technology such as distance learning modules)".

Overview

ViC is designed to provide distance learning which complements the traditional live family planning training courses and offers the flexibility and advantages of an online learning environment.

ViC uses evidence-based technical information from the World Health Organization (WHO) cornerstones of family planning guidance (Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers, WHO Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use and Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use), the Training Resource Package for Family Planning (TRP) developed by USAID, WHO, and UNFPA, and other evidence-based sources.

Intended audience

ViC is intended for family planning providers (primary health care physicians, obstetricians and gynecologists) who manage family planning clients.  It can be used also by residents and pre-graduate medical students training in family planning.

Languages

ViC has been developed in English and is being translated into other selected languages in partnership with key institutions and family planning experts in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, to expand the reach and increase ownership.

Technical requirements

ViC courses are designed to function in any modern web browser. The minimum system requirements for accessing online the ViC courses include:

Systems. A computer capable of playing audio, running one of the following operating systems:

• Microsoft Windows Vista, 7, or 8
• Apple Mac OS X 10.3 or later
• A monitor with a resolution of at least 1024 by 768 pixels

Internet connection

• A broadband Internet connection (cable modem, DSL, or LAN)

Browsers. The two most recent versions of any of the following browsers with JavaScript enabled are supported:

• Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Apple Safari

Plug-ins

• Adobe Flash Player 10+. If it is not already installed on your computer, you can download a Flash Player for free here.

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