Youths speak out at International AIDS Conference

Plan helps children across the world to participate in HIV projects

3 August 2008: Plan is supporting 11 youth delegates from countries across the world at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico, so that they can share their views and experiences of fighting HIV in their communities.

Out of touch solutions imposed by adults often ignore the realities faced by young people, the group most affected by HIV. Plan believes that listening to and working with young people as equals is a vital first step to stopping the spread of HIV.

Some of Plan’s youth delegates have personal experiences of the virus, while others are active in their communities and schools - promoting safe sex and prevention methods for teens.

Sex education

Youth delegate Sukrit, aged 17 from Thailand, warned that the easy availability of pornography made this the primary source of information about sex for many young people.

“This is not the best way to learn about sexuality and sexual health. The earlier young people are taught about sex the better for their lives,” he said.

Manuel Calles, 21 from El Salvador, said: “More young people are having sex in early adolescence and we are seeing more young pregnant women and more people with sexually transmitted infections. Although it is children and young people’s right to receive information about sex and sexuality, families and governments are resistant.”

Conference call

The delegates are calling on governments to give a higher priority to tackling poverty, peer pressure, pornography and poor sex education and to face up to the real life problems and pressures faced by young people.

Jane Nambi, 21, who lost her parents to AIDS when she was 14, said: “Youth – particularly those infected and affected - must be involved in decision making about HIV and AIDS programmes and policies.”

Youth reports

The youth delegates are taking an active role in Mexico YouthForce, joining other youth delegates from partner organisations in providing media coverage of the conference.

Visit the Mexico YouthForce website and access blogs and podcasts from the youth delegates.

Watch video of Plan youth delegate Vanessa, aged 17 from Tanzania, addressing HIV issues through drama, on Plan's YouTube channel.

The International AIDS Conference runs from 3-8 August 2008.