Conference underscores young people’s leadership in HIV
prevention 27 August 2010 The role of young people in improving
the state of the world took centre stage at this week’s World
Youth Conference in Leon, Mexico. Over five days, delegates from
112 countries—including 25 000 youth and representatives from
government, civil society and the United Nations—shared ideas on
young people’s involvement in achieving the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs). With an estimated 40% of new HIV
infections occurring among people aged 15-24, a youth-centered
approach to the AIDS response will be critical to meet MDG
6—halting and reversing the spread of HIV—and to ensure efforts
are sustained in the long term. In a video message to young
delegates, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé said that
young people had the power to shape a future with zero new
infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.
“Each of you is a driving force for change and development in
your own countries,” he said. “Together you ar