Bringing Young People on Board

The fact that HIV/AIDS disproportionately hits young people shows how vulnerable they are in many societies. Yet, they are the future of families, communities and countries. The roots of any response should lie in protecting young people and their rights. This means providing them with the information, services and tools needed to defend themselves against the spread of AIDS. The odds of success are greatly enhanced when young people are involved in the decisions that affect them, when adults listen and respect them, and when their tremendous creativity and energies are harnessed. 

A successful response to the epidemic hinges on the involvement of young people. To that end, several key activities with young people are being organized in the run-up to the Special Session to highlight their roles in fighting HIV/AIDS and draw them into the ongoing dialogue.  

Young people’s efforts to promote awareness and boost prevention campaigns are being publicized in the media. Other activities are geared at eliciting young people’s opinions of measures that could bolster the HIV/AIDS response and on documenting their suggestions.   

For more information, contact Laura Borden, Youth Coordinator for UNGASS, at bordenl@unaids.org