wfn.org | Youth caucus gives input on HIV/AIDS

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

June 29, 2001  News media contact: Linda Bloom·(212)870-3803·New York
10-21-71B{299}

By Kelly Martini*

UNITED NATIONS (UMNS) -- Gathered in conjunction with this week's United
Nations Special Assembly addressing HIV/AIDS, a 60-member youth caucus
presented cutting-edge suggestions to stop the global pandemic.  

Parvina Najibulla, 23, participated in the non-governmental group,
representing United Methodist Women and the denomination.  Together, the
youth caucus wrote and presented a position paper, stating that more urgency
must be placed on dealing with the HIV/AIDS crisis and its effects on youth.

"One-sixth of the world's population are youth, but 50 percent of the newly
infected people are within the 15-24 age group. Youth have the highest
infection rate," Najibulla said. "Together and with the consensus of the
young people, we wrote a position paper calling on people and governments to
recognize the plight of the young and to take action."

The position paper keeps the idea of human rights central to all parts of
the document, she added.  Yet, its uniqueness comes from the ability of the
youth to state issues that the United Nations Special Assembly did not
address.  

Among their observations:
·	Youth have a right to HIV/AIDS information, sex education, and
treatment options.
·	Older children orphaned by HIV/AIDS often inherit responsibility for
the family, but they do not inherit the family assets, and their rights to
education and inheritance need to be protected.
·	Teachers and health workers are contracting HIV/AIDS at a rapid
rate, and governments need to recognize this pandemic as a serious threat to
work forces and economic development.
·	Young people remain at the frontlines in this pandemic and take
leadership responsibilities within their communities, but also should have
input in government decision-making.

"Young people are very much involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and our
position paper represents this," Najibulla said. "Young people around the
world are fighting the epidemic as educators, caregivers and advocates."

# # #

*Martini is executive secretary for communications for the Women's Division,
United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.

*************************************
United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org