[procaare] Youth speaking out

[AIDS2002 <procaare@usa.healthnet.org>]

Youth speaking out
***************************

For the first time at an international HIV/AIDS conference, young people are raising their
voices and demanding to be heard as key participants in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Young activists from throughout world have mobilised to form the Barcelona Youth Force.
The Force aims to increase the visibility and participation of youth in discussions on HIV
and AIDS.

Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 represent one third of the world's population
and over 50% of all new HIV infections. Frequently identified as a population at risk for
HIV infection, young people are routinely ignored in the design, implementation, and
promotion of HIV prevention programmes.

Young people are gravely under-represented at international forums. Of the 15,000
participants attending Barcelona, there are only 200 young participants.
The disproportionate representation of youth at international forums limits their ability
to participate, learn and exchange ideas on HIV and AIDS
prevention.

Speaking from the audience at a session on youth interventions, Raj Kishore Mishra from
the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sport with the Government of India, proposed that a
youth summit should be held in conjunction with the International HIV/AIDS conference.
"They (the youth) have a voice that needs to be heard. Their participation is needed to
find solutions that they will accept," he said.

The participation of youth is vital for HIV prevention. "To include youth in the fight
against AIDS is to preserve the future; to exclude us is to jeopardize both the future and
the present," said Pamela Ateka, a member of the Barcelona Youth Force from Kenya.

However, young people cannot do it alone. A recent report from UNAIDS and UNICEF (2002)
states that "no strategy to reduce HIV and AIDS can be effective unless the rights of the
children and young people are protected and strongly defended."

Speaking at a press conference on the Barcelona Youth Force, Dr Peter Piot, Executive
director of UNAIDS said, "We are taking a new direction, you can count on it", said. "We
are working with young people instead of working for young people."

Key Correspondent
Health & Development Networks

AIDS2002 Conference
Barcelona, July 7-12, 2002

Email: correspondents@hdnet.org
Web: http://www.hdnet.org

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