Young people discuss faith and HIV at AIDS 2008 Ecumenical Pre-Conference
The voices of youth have not been forgotten at the AIDS 2008 Ecumenical Pre-Conference. The Youth Caucus held its first meeting on July 31 and 19 youth participants, including 15 young women, showed up for the first meeting and youth stream coordinators Dan Pieper and Marie-Claude Julsaint; World YWCA Programme Director for the Americas and Caribbean, are expecting many more at the second meeting on August 1.
Young people will have many important issues to discuss with recent statistics highlighting that HIV infections in 2007 in young people, ages 15-24, accounted for about 40 % of new HIV infections among people age 15 and older. Globally, there are 5.4 million young men and women who are living with HIV, and nearly 60% are female.
"For the majority of the youth attendees, representing faith-based organisations such as the YWCA, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), the Presbyterian Church and the African Inland Church, this is their first international AIDS conference and they are excited and hoping to take back home increased knowledge on issues related to HIV and AIDS, “ said Julsaint.
Participants had an opportunity to get to know each other and hear about various possibilities on offer to them within the framework of the caucus, including the possibility of presenting a statement at the end of the pre-conference.
At the next youth caucus meeting, participants will receive information on how to navigate the AIDS 2008 in conference that will be facilitated by Julsaint and Sophie Dilmitis, World YWCA HIV and AIDS Co-ordinator.
