2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, 1 December. Over these 20 years – and since AIDS was first identified in 1981 – we have witnessed the devastating progression of the disease across the globe. Today HIV and AIDS affect men and women of all ages, the vast majority of them in the developing world.
Approximately half of all people who become infected with HIV are under the age of 25. Young people, who have never known a world without AIDS, are essential to an effective response to eradicate stigma and discrimination, promote effective forms of prevention, encourage early, voluntary HIV testing and counselling, advocate access to treatment for all, and provide needed support and care that addresses the factors that make people most vulnerable to infection.
The global response to AIDS needs leadership, and young people can and should be in the forefront of that response. Experience has clearly demonstrated that significant advances in the response to AIDS have been achieved when there is strong and committed leadership. Leaders are distinguished by their action, innovation and vision; their personal example and engagement of others; and their perseverance in the face of obstacles and challenges. Leadership must and can be demonstrated at every level to get ahead of the epidemic, including among young people.
Youth leadership must be encouraged and supported at every level, and requires the opportunity to meaningfully contribute and participate in a wide-range of processes. We are committed to stimulating, strengthening, and empowering youth leadership around HIV and AIDS, particularly under the 2008 World AIDS Day theme of "Leadership".
In looking at the energy and efforts of young people around the world, and the reality of the pandemic today, the World AIDS Campaign, Wake Up Pune and the Naz Foundation, with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and AIDS Fonds will organise and support youth leadership World AIDS Day events in two major cities in India: Pune and New Delhi.
Approximately 2.5 million people were living with HIV in India in 2006. While almost 25% of the country's population is between the ages of 15-29 years, this age group accounts for 31% of people living with HIV, demonstrating that young people are at particularly high risk of contracting HIV. To face this risk and turn around the epidemic, young people must be encouraged and supported to take leadership roles within their communities.
These events intend to focus on young people as leaders in the HIV field and seek to increase awareness around HIV and AIDS within India. The events will take note of the effects that HIV has on the population (particularly young people), stigma and discrimination, youth rights and needs regarding HIV and AIDS, as well as highlight the importance of young people being actively involved in the HIV and AIDS response. They will focus on accountability, calling upon leaders to keep their promises to stop AIDS - specifically fulfilling commitments on universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support for young people by 2010.
In the following weeks different youth leaders will write a blog about the events they organise in India. Also if you want to write a blog about your leadership in response to HIV and AIDS let me know! Send me an email to worldaidsday@gmail.com, Include your name, age and country and I will publish it for you!
THANKS! 