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  Journée Mondiale 2006 du SIDA - Posted By: François Godonou
Chers amis
Le monde se prépare encore à une grande mobilisation sur la question du VIH/SIDA. En effet, le 1er décembre prochain sera célébrée partout dans le monde, la journée mondiale du VIH/SIDA. Le thème de cette année 'Tenons nos promesses' 'Arrêtons le SIDA' devrait nous interpeller tous surtout les principaux acteurs.
Voilà des années que cette lutte se mène et plusieurs acteurs ont fait des promesses et pris des engagements pour aider à faire face à la pandémie. L'heure a sonné de faire le bilan pour envisager l'avenir avec rigueur, tenacité et surtout de nouvelles résolutions. La jeunesse doit veiller à prendre une part active pour attirer l'attention des divers acteurs sur l'ampleur du SIDA, ses conséquences et la nécessité de respecter les engagements pris vis à vis des malades, des séropositifs et de ceux qui sont encore sains.
Tenons nos promesses!!!
François
| November 29, 2006 | 05:22:07 |
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 REALLY PROUD OF THE GOOD JOB YOU GUYS DID AT THE CONFERENCE - Posted By: KOPANO KLEN MOFONGA
HELLO THERE GOOD PEOPLE,ITS GLAD TO HAVE ALL OF YOU GUYS BACK TO YOUR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES OR REGIONS OR RESIDENCE,I HAD A FRIEND OF MINE WHO WAS WITH THE YOUTH FORCE THROUGH OUT THE WHOLE SEMINAR BUT NOW SHE IS BACK AND IT FEELS GOOD TO HAVE FER AROUND.I HOPE TO LEARN A LOT
| September 5, 2006 | 03:23:18 |
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  MTV 48fest -experiences from a participant - Posted By: Raphaela Rainer
Hey guys, if you want to know what happened during the 48fest from the perspective of a "purple team member", check out: http://summerof2006.blog.com/
| August 28, 2006 | 17:36:39 |
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  WAS IT JUST A SLOGAN? - Posted By: jacqualine
Jambo from Kenya,
Let me pass this on that....it was time to deliver,but did we deliver? and how much did we carry back home? and how are we going to use that to work with our leaders in our respective countries,to grace lives of young people and dont feel left out?
It was such an opportunity to be in Toronto,with a well organised youth pre- conference by the Toronto Youth Force where it prepared me to have skills in dealing with adult partners in my country,working together to strengthen the partnership and I saw some of the advocacy skills we learnt working at the committment desk from different global leaders who made committments to young people and who knows.....youth participation will double up again at the next stop in Mexico city for the XVII International AIDS Conference on 3rd-8th/August-2008.
I noticed that I was missing the youth pre-conference during the main conference,and the youth pavillion served the purpose of many young people as Adults visiting the place,it was an overwhelming conference,with some and none crosscutting issues at all and thanks to the youth pavillion and the youth daily orientation...wow,they were too early though!!The updates were lifesaving if you ask me.
Bye bye to Toronto with the tiresome North and South building levels..-which made me not to attend some sessions and I was not alone...that is for sure,but the few skills I earned I believe were rich and are already in my wayforward list to start the implementation...Time to Deliver is not a slogan.....was it to you?
we are all not perfect.....lets give credit where it deserved and open more doors for youth.
Miss you all.....
From Jacky Kowa
Kenya-Nairobi
| August 28, 2006 | 02:28:12 |
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 Looking back two years ... - Posted By: Kayley
Akenji, a leader from the Bangkok Youth Force, stops by the Youth Reception and shares his thoughts on the changes since the last International AIDS Conference.
| August 25, 2006 | 15:08:37 |
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 before the IAC - Posted By: Victor Ogbodo
before the IAC was AIDS, the conception of the IAC was born out of the HIV/AIDs pandemic.the Answer, efforts and future action was what the IAC seeked to repond to, so together we all have a responsibility in puting up with the post challenges of the IAC, in anticipation that the HIV challenges which we hope the Next IAC would be addressing would be a complete reduction/elimination of the impact of AIDS globaly
| August 24, 2006 | 10:17:51 |
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 Spice Up Your Crunchy Granola, AIDS Activists - Posted By: Joya Banerjee
Who says all AIDS Activists are birkenstock-wearing, dred-locked,
granola crunching, organic hippies? Ok, well… maybe some of them.
One of the least mentioned facets of International AIDS Conferences
are the incredibly creative t-shirts. Well, wait no further, fabulous
fashionistas… I've profiled some of the best and punchiest shirts
around, just for your discerning sense of style. Not only are they
catchy and cute, they also advocate for crucial HIV/AIDS issues at the
Conference and beyond such as sex workers' rights; comprehensive,
evidence-based sexual and reproductive health information, education
and services; funding for youth interventions, and a LOT on condom
use.
CHECK them here
http://files.tiggroups.org/35186/got_AIDS.jpg
http://files.tiggroups.org/35187/how_do_you_know.jpg
http://files.tiggroups.org/35188/if_he_wont_you_dont.jpg
http://files.tiggroups.org/35189/sex.jpg
http://files.tiggroups.org/35190/sex_back.jpg
http://files.tiggroups.org/35191/sex_nice.jpg
http://files.tiggroups.org/35192/sex_workers_shirt.jpg
http://files.tiggroups.org/35193/some_with_none_without.jpg
PS- if you want a t-shirt or posters, check back on the site in a week or so to find out how to order them!
Joya Banerjee- Program Coordinator of the Global Youth Coalition on
HIV/AIDS and Co-Chair of the Advocacy TaskForce of the Toronto
YouthForce
| August 22, 2006 | 16:54:38 |
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 Conference Materials - Posted By: Chris Shortall
Unfortunately I never got to collect any of the excellent posters, postcards, sticker, shirts, and other things that youthforce produced for the conference. It was such a whirlwind affair, I'd love to know if there are any left over resources that could be shipped to Newfoundland.
cheers,
Chris
Chris Shortall
GUYZ Porject Coordinator
ACNL
chris@acnl.net
709- 579-8656
| August 21, 2006 | 10:38:52 |
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Bikes: The New Global Fund? - Posted By: Mark
Kiley and Jason of Bike for AIDS on cacti, semi-trailers, and rain during their 7,000 mile trek across Canada to raise money for AIDS in Malawi.
| August 20, 2006 | 22:22:18 |
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 youth and HIV/AIDS in somalia. - Posted By: Mohamed Ali Taruuri
I know vew people have a knowledge of HIV in my country, I am feeling my fear to spread this diseases a mong our youth because our people doesnt understand the effects of this disease,since they are litrate or simi illitrate, and dont have awwarness. most of the youth they have sex with their friends with out using condom. they say we have areligion and the diseases is only effected by those dont have a religion.Our girls are the victims of FGM circumisation.
| August 20, 2006 | 02:17:57 |
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Mexico 2008 sera placé sous le signe de la sensibilisation - Posted By: François Godonou
Le premier Président de la Société Internationale sur le SIDA (IAS) originaire d'un pays en développement, le Dr. Pedro Cahn voit SIDA 2008, une occasion de sensibilisation accrue sur le sujet du SIDA."La tenue d'un premier congrès de cette importance en Amérique latine peut véritablement accroître la sensibilisation mondiale sur le SIDA" a-t-il declaré hier lors de sa présentation.
Il pense que l'amélioration des conditions de travail des professionnels de la santé dans le monde entier est nécessaire pour prévenier la fuite des cerveaux vers les pays développés.
Pour lui, l'humanité a vécu le meilleur et le pire ces deux dernières années. Le pire c'est la stigmatisation, la discrimination et l'inégalite dans la distribution des richesses ; le meilleur c'est la solidarité et notre capacité à réagir face à une épidemie aussi désastreuse.
Il reconnait les avancées de la médecine moderne ces dernières années et invite les acteurs à redoubler d'efforts pour aller plus loin dans les recherches.
MERCI CHER PRESIDENT
| August 18, 2006 | 13:36:19 |
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les rideaux sont tombes - Posted By: François Godonou
Les stands, les posters et tout le materiel ayant servi pendant ces quelques jours de la confercne sont en train d'etre demontes. Les derniers contacts se prennent et chacun se prepare a retourner au bercail. Les jeunes se regroupen en petits groupes pour faire le point de leur participation et envisager Mexico 2008.
Bon retour et restons vigilants
| August 18, 2006 | 13:18:38 |
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Closing Up ... - Posted By: Kayley
The dismantling of the Global Village has slowly begun. Each booth that was carefully designed and constructed to display items to full effect is now being removed panel by panel. Each poster and picture hung up with care is being taken down and stacked up. Volunteers are packing up and taking down what they can without making the place seem too empty too soon.
Delegates and visitors have just a few more hours of formal sessions, networking and , exploring the cultural center of the International AIDS Conference. A speaker from one of the session rooms can be heard on a microphone, his words not quite distinguishable, but, I assume, he is attempting to capture his experience in a few summarizing words.
The final day consists of exchanges of business cards, the closing ceremonies, and hurried good-byes,. AIDS 2006 has come to an end. “Overwhelming” would be the key descriptive word for the week. The walls of the Youth Pavilion are almost bare. A few lone pictures remain, waiting for their owners to come and claim them. The chairs have been stacked and the usual crowds have dwindled.
Next week, delegates will be back at work in their home countries. Back to the routine of daily living, back to the realities of families, organizations, and everything else that they had left. While a week usually does not feel like a long time, the past five days have been so packed full of events and information, that a month could have passed by and no one would have noticed.
No matter what people’s expectations were, every one of the 25,000 delegates who attended this conference will be bringing something back with them. Some will bring back new ideas and creative energy for their programs. Others will bring back new information and resources. But all of us will bring back new contacts from our time in Toronto – new friends made with the hope of developing new partnerships.
| August 18, 2006 | 11:48:03 |
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 What A B C D E F stand for - Posted By: Sophia
Former President of Ireland and UN official, Mary Robinson, relates a moving experience.
| August 17, 2006 | 20:01:03 |
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What do A B C D E mean to you? - Posted By: Sophia
Former President of Ireland and UN official, Mary Robinson, relates a remarkable experience.
| August 17, 2006 | 19:54:17 |
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Say it out loud- the 'S' word - Posted By: Sophia
Actress, Sheryl Lee Ralph gives it to the media straight at the Toronto Youth Force media conference. She identifies the HIV barriers that young people face.
| August 17, 2006 | 19:51:18 |
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Youth/Adult partnership- here's an example! - Posted By: Sophia
Karrel McKay, 20, Jamaican, teacher........and president of the Portland AIDS Committee adult group.
| August 17, 2006 | 19:40:20 |
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What do you look for in a HIV prevention programme? - Posted By: Sophia
A UNAIDS collaboirative session on HIV prevention at the conference attracted the attention of a number of youth participants. One of the authors, Dr. Douglas Kirby, gives some main pointers on the publication.
| August 17, 2006 | 19:32:46 |
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A B C is not a mixed message! - Posted By: Sophia
Reseacher, Dr. Douglas Kirby, one of the authors of the document 'Steady, Ready, GO!', a guide on HIV prevention, explains how to read the A B C.
| August 17, 2006 | 19:25:26 |
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Oh, how many ways to get an invitation! - Posted By: Sophia
UN Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS, Stephen Lewis, is invited by a youth delegate to visit the Youth Pavilion. The Youth Pavilion, which is located in the Global Village, has been alive with activity throughout the conference. Listen to how Mr. Lewis responds.
| August 17, 2006 | 19:19:17 |
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Adult/Youth partnership- more needed - Posted By: Sophia
UN Special Envoy to Afica on HIV/AIDS, Stephen Lewis, responds to a youth participant on the impact on youth activism.
| August 17, 2006 | 19:13:29 |
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Girl power-where to get it! - Posted By: Sophia
Former President of Ireland and UN High Commission on Human Rights, Mary Robinson tells how education empowers.
| August 17, 2006 | 19:08:22 |
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Mark's Toronto Highlights List! - Posted By: Mark
As the 16th International AIDS Conference comes to a close, I thought it would be fun to wrap things up with a list of highlights from the past eight days since I arrived in Toronto. It’s been one of the liveliest, jam-packed weeks of my life, just as I knew it would be. Being the ravenous sort that I am, I wish I could have spent less time writing stories in the media centre and more time listening in on sessions or soaking up the youth events. Still, I’ve tried to take the opportunity to soak up as much as I can, and hereby present to you Mark’s Top 10 Toronto AIDS Conference moments…
1) Listening to Beatrice Were’s call to action for African leaders and women during a discussion on the failures of the ABC Prevention model in Africa: I’ve heard Beatrice speak several times before and am never less than moved deep inside by the strength and resilience of this woman. Beatrice represents the people that the moralistic leaders of the world continue to neglect: she was a monogamous, faithful married woman who practiced the ABC model…and still contracted HIV. Her closing of the panel brought a long standing ovation, and when challenged by an American man during the Question and Answer session over the statistical evidence behind her argument, successfully threw the questions back upon him, providing her own statistics and winning another booming round of applause.
2) Speaking to Frika Chiu Iskander throughout the conference: Frika, a beautiful young Indonesian positive woman who won the thousands-strong crowd over during the opening ceremony as the youth speaker (only to have media focus—of course—on Bill and Melinda Gates), is a real pocket dynamo of an activist. It’s also lovely to meet fellow South-east Asian/Australasian people involved in the AIDS fight.
3) Talking to Watema and Acana from Uganda about the SPIT Youth Movement: Since an early ago, growing up on the gravel-tops of Western Australia, I have always loved street basketball, and I have grown to love the universal language that positive, conscious hip hop provides for my generation. So you can imagine how thrilled I was to learn that these two entrepreneurial streetballers and rhyme-spitters from Kampala, Uganda are creating an HIV movement that combines these two art forms with prevention methods and youth communication. They even performed a freestyle for me upon my request.
4) The Treatment Action Campaign’s staged protest at a major press conference: There are fewer more beautiful stories in the AIDS movement then that of Zackie Achmat and the Treatment Action Campaign in South Africa, which successfully forced its government—through raw grit, heart, and fury at its government’s neglect—to scale up access to ARVs. I often see South Africa as the soul of the activist movement, and even as cases begin to escalate in India and other Asian population centers, for me, South Africa remains the moral compass of the movement. Nobody more so than Zackie Achmat, a positive Indian-South African doctor who refused life-saving medication until all South Africans had access to the drugs, represents this movement. Combine this with the zest for life—singing and dancing flow out of the actions of TAC like momentous Neruda-evoking love poems, and you have an inspirational movement. In particular, Sipho Mthati, a young, full-voiced woman who has captured many peoples’ hearts, articulates the needs of positive people with an eloquence, intelligence, and beauty that few can muster. It makes me choke up simply thinking about what she represents to people back in her home country. But her command over the press conference yesterday, where she astounded journalists and others with her understanding and power over all of the issues raised, was at times breathtaking and never more than affirming of the will and intelligence of the everyday human being: galvanized and mobilized towards a noble goal.
5) The Global Village in general: on the whole, this room was just the most wonderful, chaotic collision of humanity I’ve ever seen assembled in one place. Typing away in the media center, one was constantly overhearing song, music, drumming, and other aural inspirers flowing out of the Village. It is as if the whole of Grand Central Station in New York City was locked together, shaken up and down, and all those inside happened to be committed to ending the AIDS epidemic in a hundred different ways and by supporting every conceivable group. It was a welcome change from the dry, cerebral nature of many of the sessions, and breathed a huge gust of life into proceedings.
6) Paul Farmer’s Photographs: One of the true ‘rock stars’ of the AIDS fight, Dr. Farmer used to fly from his post at the medical faculty in Harvard to Haiti, illegally carrying over AIDS drugs in his suitcase for the many who need them in this suffering Caribbean nation. He’s also a brilliant writer and a man whose presence encourages all of us to put our actions where our words are. He showed several pictures of people at clinics from his health facilities in Haiti and Rwanda that I found particularly affecting, as I’m sure hundreds of others did during the session.
7) The ‘Come As You Are’ Sex Workshop: Come As You Are is a local sex store in Toronto. Their candid, this-is-how-it-works, sex workshop in the Global Village was at times humorous, eye-opening, and entirely maturely-led. For many of the participants who come from societies in which sex remains a largely taboo subject, I think it really broke new ground for them. Plus, I got a free pocket vibrator, and those are always handy to have around.
8) Seeing and laughing with friends from around the world once again: Working on HIV in Washington D.C. can sometimes be an isolating experience. It’s necessary for the soul and worldview-affirming to meet and reunite with brilliant AIDS activists from Egypt, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Botswana, Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Guatemala and so on. I am constantly reminded of the universality of human suffering, of human feeling, and human spirit, as we work together to finally send this terrible pestilence into the annals of our history as rapidly as possible.
9) Asking Peter Piot to wear a giant condom suit: Ever one to throw on the occasional giant phallic outfit, I thought it would be only suitable for us as youth reporters to ask him whether he would don such a suit to fight stigma, bouncing his way up to the microphone during the opening ceremony before the thousands of participants. He declined, in his endearing slightly socially awkward, over-educated Belgian doctor sort of way. The podcast is up on the site if anyone wants to catch it; we got a good laugh out of his response, and I’m sure he did too.
10) The Empancipation of Sovhik: I first bumped into this little Indian fashion designer on the night that we both got in. He was very lost, very tired, and told me that Toronto was the first time he’d stepped out of Calcutta. I helped him back to the dorm, and then had the chance to cover his fashion show, which had a jam-packed youth pavilion audience whooping and cheering. He then showcased the first Bengali music video to positively highlight gay male relationships. Afterwards, he was surrounded by a flock of eager journalists and enthusiastic viewers of his eye-catching work. I could tell that he was absolutely loving it. Sovhik’s rise from lost young man, fresh off of the plane, to rising designer and queer activist is in essence, the dream of the AIDS and social justice movement writ large. I know that he will return home a more empowered, more confident young man, and I believe and trust that his is only one in a sea of similarly life-affirming, positive stories coming out of this momentous gathering.
| August 17, 2006 | 18:46:59 |
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RIGHTEOUS PLAY - Posted By: Hannah Renglich
Every human being has the common experience of once being young, but not every person has had the privilege of having had a childhood. Right to Play, a development organization dedicated to improving the lives of children through fun and games, ensures that even in the harshest of situations, children are given the chance to be children.
In the fight against AIDS, Right to Play is doing important work through a program called “Live Safe, Play Safe,” in which interactive games and subsequent discussions with children educate them about HIV/AIDS. Dr. Lorna Read, the director of research and programme development, explained that training local youth to act as coaches for the games is vital to Right to Play’s guiding principles of sustainability and inclusion.
The inclusion of women and girls is especially important to the organization, which is faced with breaking down stereotypes that women are fit only for the home. However, as local coach Safari Kayisire said, “thanks to sports, the children learn tolerance,” and before long, girls are welcomed onto the playing field alongside boys.
Dr. Bruce Kidd of the University of Toronto, explained that the importance of including girls in sports is academically supported. Studies show that teenage women involved in high school sports are less likely to contract STDs, which is directly related to the fact that their participation gives them self-esteem and confidence that strengthens their capacity to negotiate their own sexuality.
Yet self-confidence is nothing without knowledge, an understanding Right to Play uses in tailoring its games to specific situations. In one AIDS-related game, certain children play the HIV virus and try to catch others; however, as the children run after one another, coaches yell out different causes for getting caught, such as unprotected sex, thus teaching the children in a very unobtrusive way.
There is an ancient proverb that reads, “Tell me and I will forget. Show me and I will remember, Involve me and I will understand.” By occupying children with fun activities that engage and educate simultaneously, Right to Play has crafted a brilliant program that harnesses the energy of children for positive means.
As the Olympic speedskater Joey Cheek said, “children everywhere play.” By playing sports, children are able to socialize, exercise, vent frustration, and learn important life skills. If only adults were willing to be so light-hearted as to play as children do, perhaps the world would be a better place.
| August 17, 2006 | 18:31:47 |
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La flamme doit continuer à brûler !!! - Posted By: François Godonou
Les jours sont passés, les minutes s'écoulent et nous tendons vers la fin des activités ici à Toronto.
Oui après discussions, échanges et communications chacun doit enfin retrouver son terrain et ses réalités.
Nous sommes venus nous abreuver à la grande source et Dieu sait que nous avons beaucoup appris en si peu de temps.
Nous sommes venus allumer nos bougies à la flamme de la grande BOUGIE implantée à Toronto et nous devons garder la flamme allummée. C'est un devoir et tel est notre raison d'être en tant que soldats de l'humanité dans la lutte contre le VIH/SIDA.
Nous portons tous l'espoir de l'humanité et nous avons la lourde mais noble mission de continuer la bataille quel que soit les difficultés et les défis. Ils ne doivent pas nous faire reculer, ils sont nécessaires à notre maturité. Sans difficultés ni défis nous n'aurons rien à raconter ou à léguer aux générations futures.
Les jeunes à travers leur Pavillon et ses nombreuses activités viennent de démontrer leur inspiration, leur force et leurs capacités.
OUI Georgres Bernanos avait raison de dire que "c'est la force de la jeunesse qui maintient la température du monde à la normale, quand le monde a froid le monde craque".
Notre présence s'est fait remarquée et les dirigeants doivent prendre acte et nous donner plus de pouvoir et de parole.
Demain nous appartient et nous devons être associés à la résolution des grand problèmes mondiaux.
MAINTENONS LA FLAMME ALLUMEE
STAND UP
| August 17, 2006 | 18:28:14 |
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After the Conference, what's next? - Posted By: Sophia
"It's the end, so what's next" echoed through my mind on my way to the penultimate day of the 16th International AIDS Conference, after a conversation with a stranger.
Each person reading this has a right to enjoy life to the fullest, but not everyone will take the responsibility to see that the circumstances exist to make that happen. This was the though that remained as I left the woman behind to continue her journey.
On my way to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre the vehicle I was in developed a mechanical problem. (keep reading I'm getting to the HIV/AIDS relevance). So I changed vehicles and sat next to a lady I met for the first time. She asked me how the conference was going. The (enormous) name tag each participant was given was around my neck so it was easy for anyone to ask that question. The familiar enthusiastic response each time a stranger asks this question was automatic, but what followed was unexpected. Only, it should not have been.
She said, "So what you think will change" (because of the conference). This follow up never happened before, although I have thought of what I want to do when I return home, to Trinidad and Tobago. The obvious response, and the one I used was, "the progress will be seen after each delegate and media return to their respective countries (with the information)". I went on to explain, not sure if her composed expression meant she thought the conference was a waste of time. We said goodbye and that was the end of the conversation that has disturbed me since.
Follow me for a moment to analyze the HIV/AIDS problem in one short paragraph. HIV/AIDS turned up on the global health radar twenty-five years ago. Today a record 40 million is estimated to be living with the disease. In addition, half of new infections are among young people between 15 and 24. The epidemic has created its own global citizenship and resides in every region of the world. So we are all either infected or affected (or both) by the changes HIV/AIDS has caused. Still, with all the information the problem of not enough political will, gender, stigma, discrimination and a lack of access to information, education and services remain as barriers. But maybe the biggest barrier to breaking down this disease is INACTION!
You can change this; young people know the issues, as 24 year old Frika Iskandar puts it. She tested positive for HIV when she was eighteen. She is committed to preventing others from contracting HIV. At the same time speaking out in support of those who are living with HIV. The message she was sending: Do something about what’s happing!
Remember, Youth/adult partnerships have proven to work, according to Kerrel from Jamaica. She started a HIV/AIDS care service that has partnered with adults from the beginning. Meet with the government and political figures to get the facts and their help. If young people and the general public feel untouched by the HI/AIDS epidemic get the statistics and show them, is the advice from Melinda, a youth AIDS activist. There are ideas that you can share with online networks. For a start locate others in your area, groups and people interested in the same thing or try youthaidscoalition.org. Whatever you decide, do something!
| August 17, 2006 | 18:13:19 |
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Voice from Egypt - Posted By: Tala Nabulsi
Ahmed Khamis from Egypt and representing the Global Network of researchers on HIV Aids talks about his participation at the event and
how young people from the MENA region can benefit from the outcomes of the Aids Conference 2006. Enjoy!
| August 17, 2006 | 18:11:41 |
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The young peoples paradox - Posted By: Emily Freeburg
Youth fashion shows, sexuality discussions, and an 11 year-old from Nigeria moderating a panel like she was Oprah Winfrey. When it comes to youth at the International AIDS Conference, you just never know what you are going to see next. But young people approach the pandemic with such seriousness, commitment and hunger for information. They want to do more.
I have been to many conferences, but this stands out as the most unified experience. Everyone is here; private sector, celebrities, government, churches, young people. It took something as tragic as the infection of 40 million people to bring us together.
To meet young people from around the world living with HIV and see their leadership and commitment is truly inspiring. They are speaking on panels to hundreds of people after taking medicines that make them dizzy. They are hauling their way through the gigantic conference center lost in the crowds.
I don’t meet people living with HIV on a regular basis. To see their dignity is humbling. They come from countries, like in Thailand, where there are limited ARV drugs because of patents and trade laws. To fight this, they are working in committees, literally dying in the process, so that they can have access to medicines.
I think the paradox of young people is captured in two statements from the most prolific leaders here:
"I know more about the YouthForce than anything else at the conference" said Peter Piot, Executive Director UNAIDS.
“Youth are most neglected part of the pandemic,” said Stephen Lewis, UN Envoy on AIDS in Africa
So youth are absolutely visible here, the youth pavilion is buzzing, and everyone who is anyone is stopping by. But as the majority group contracting HIV, they are still misunderstood and neglected in policy, research, and support so that they can be leaders. There is still so much work to do.
| August 17, 2006 | 16:19:20 |
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different kinds of advocacy - Posted By: Emily Freeburg
Faith-based organizations did a dialogue with pharmaceutical companies this morning. Engaging in a quiet room, we discussed how the pharmaceutical companies could make more pediatric drugs availble, speak out against TRIPS+, lower prices for "middle tier" income countries, and support the effective work of traditional healers.
After the meeting, we delivered letters of a campaign to phamaceutical companies at their exhibition booths. The difference in how we were recieved was striking. Some were happy to talk to us, told us about their programs, and said they agreed with our 'ask' for more child-friendly formulations. Other companies literally left their booth when they saw us coming.
Later in the day, activists marched and chanted, looking for the CEO of Abbott for a public confrontation.
Security has been high all day, with long lines as they search our bags.
Just giving you a sampling of the spectrum.
| August 17, 2006 | 16:08:17 |
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Young People and religious leaders – already working together - Posted By: Emily Freeburg
Around the world, religious leaders are working with communities suffering
from AIDS, but still have more to do to overcome their public reputation as
overly moralizing. While some churches set up VCT centers next door to their
sanctuaries, other religious leaders have turned HIV+ persons away at their
doorsteps.
Momora Gilbert, a young pastor from Malawi who is part of the African
Network of HIV + and AIDS Affected religious leaders (ANERELA +), has
received multiple trainings from the church, and now he reaches out to young
people about HIV, putting a human face to the virus.
“Youth come to the church and ask questions,” said Gilbert. “They encourage
me and I encourage them. When young people start to talk about AIDS, they
talk about themselves because they realize they are the most vulnerable and
that prevention is vital to them.”
The religious community is well-represented at the International AIDS
Conference, but youth and faith-based organizations still need a bit of help
reaching out to each other.
Leading the way, Mark Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA), stopped by the “Commitments Desk” at the Youth
Pavilion. The ELCA sponsored 12 young people to come to this year’s IAC, and
Hanson committed to bring more to next conference in Mexico. He also
committed to include young people in the development of the ELCA AIDS
strategy.
“Youth and young adults are leading the church in HIV and AIDS, and we are
following their lead,” said Hanson. “Young people want to be part of a
community where faith and spirituality matter, and they want to be part of a
faith community doing advocacy around poverty and discrimination.”
Taking a different approach, Phrama Boonchuay, the Director of Chiang Mai
Buddhist College, educates young people about living simply. “In Thailand,
in Buddhism, we educate our youth about consumerism. We have to convince
them about sexual education, and we also talk about consumption of food,
clothes and medicine.”
Addressing misinterpretations of what the church and young people can do is
important, says Rev. Jape Heath, General Secretary of ANERELA+.
“One of the major problems we have had with youth from the faith-based
community is to think that we can’t talk about prevention, because we think
we’ll encourage youth to have sex, but that’s stupid. Unless we can speak to
our youth we can’t expect them to make informed choices can decisions.”
| August 17, 2006 | 15:55:06 |
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 Jamaican Youths and AIDS 2006! - Posted By: Keesha Effs
By: Keesha Effs and Tanya Richards
As Jamaican youths we stand very proud to be able to be among the 1000 youths and 25,000 adults/organizations represented here at the Toronto AIDS Conference 2006.
We take this opportunity to thank the Jamaican Government, the Ministry of Education and Youth, UNFPA,JASTYLE, UNAIDS,UNICEF,Children First, TakingitGlobal, Advocates of Youths and the Local Host of Toronto AIDS 2006 for providin | |
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