1. A Youth Perspective on HIV/AIDS

2. I. Why youth?

3. Youth Are Affected over 50% of people infected worldwide are under 25 years of age over 80% of people infected in Eastern & Southern Europe and Central Asia are below 30 years of age.

4. Youth Are Playing a Role Dublin (Feb 2004) –Youth were the focal point of the conference Bangkok (July 2004) –Twofold increase of youth participants over last conference.

5. A variety of youth organizations involved –RC, scouts, students, YMCA, Christian, PLWHA youth, UN youth groups… Youth Are Diverse

6. Advantages of Youth Approaches Peer Understanding -you know best what your age group needs and responds to Peer Education - People are more likely to trust their peers

7. II. What Can Youth Do?

8. Provide relevant information a)on prevention - peer education b) battle stigma and discrimination - youth are future adults

9. Represent youth interests a)Play a role in decision making that effects them b)ensure access to information, condoms - this is a right!

10. Make AIDS an everyday topic a)the truth about aids... b)candlelight marches

11. Quotes “Youth are not just a target group that has needs - they are the best resource available to address the problem”

12. “Young people are a key resource to finding solutions that will work” Quotes

13. Thank you.