July 20

Sadly, today is my last day here in Vienna as a volunteer. I’ve been so lucky to have volunteered in the Global village especially, because it is such a diverse and vibrant environment and in some ways like a small community. People from all over the world resided here to meet share and learn from each other. The aim of the Global Village was to encourage networking with countries that wouldn’t normally have contact with each other; north and south, east and west. The key area of the International AIDS Conference was also open to the public; so it was a great way of communicating with and engaging the locals.

"... the YouthForce has another chance to empower young people, advocate for current and critical issues affecting youth worldwide, and further pinpoint current strategies for effective change."

I managed to catch one last session before heading back to London. I sat in on the Youth Pavilion Talks (Part 1) in the afternoon which was just fantastic! The Vienna YouthForce spoke about how to build youth leadership for a sustainable response to HIV. The initiative began at the AIDS Conference 2000 in Durban, where only 50 young people participated in a conference of thousands; now it's a global platform for international, regional and local youth organisations that focus on HIV and AIDS (as well as youth sexual and reproductive health rights).

A representative of the organisation said, "With the International AIDS Conference in Vienna, the YouthForce has another chance to empower young people, advocate for current and critical issues affecting youth worldwide, and further pinpoint current strategies for effective change."

Some of the objectives they pointed out in their presentation were:

1. To support peer-to-peer capacity - building ties among young people, in order to provide them with the necessary advocacy skills and technical knowledge, support and resources for meaningful participation during the conference and beyond.
2. Ensure consistent, effective, organised youth participation at International AIDS Conferences, including HIV and AIDS related activities and exhibitions of the youth attendees; who have been working on this over the two years leading to the conference.
3. Build sustainable youth to adult partnerships and systematically integrate more young people in a successful response to HIV and AIDS.

When asked what would be their main aim or focus of the conference, another representative replied, "This year, the Vienna YouthForce will pay high attention to the human rights of young people that are most at risk, including but not limited to young people living with HIV, young drug users, young sex workers..."

The YouthForce is exactly the kind of example we need to follow. These young representatives are really getting the message across to young people and it is making a difference from what I saw. And although with success comes hard work, commitment and determination, it is clear - young people are leading the way and having more of a voice which remains the most important thing.

Words and photos: Carissa Yeboah

For more information click here: www.youthaids2010.org