Youth fashion shows, sexuality discussions, and an 11 year-old from Nigeria moderating a panel like she was Oprah Winfrey. When it comes to youth at the International AIDS Conference, you just never know what you are going to see next. But young people approach the pandemic with such seriousness, commitment and hunger for information. They want to do more.
I have been to many conferences, but this stands out as the most unified experience. Everyone is here; private sector, celebrities, government, churches, young people. It took something as tragic as the infection of 40 million people to bring us together.
To meet young people from around the world living with HIV and see their leadership and commitment is truly inspiring. They are speaking on panels to hundreds of people after taking medicines that make them dizzy. They are hauling their way through the gigantic conference center lost in the crowds.
I don’t meet people living with HIV on a regular basis. To see their dignity is humbling. They come from countries, like in Thailand, where there are limited ARV drugs because of patents and trade laws. To fight this, they are working in committees, literally dying in the process, so that they can have access to medicines.
I think the paradox of young people is captured in two statements from the most prolific leaders here:
"I know more about the YouthForce than anything else at the conference" said Peter Piot, Executive Director UNAIDS.
“Youth are most neglected part of the pandemic,” said Stephen Lewis, UN Envoy on AIDS in Africa
So youth are absolutely visible here, the youth pavilion is buzzing, and everyone who is anyone is stopping by. But as the majority group contracting HIV, they are still misunderstood and neglected in policy, research, and support so that they can be leaders. There is still so much work to do.
