Conference Overview
Why Is It Needed?
Young people are still becoming infected
with HIV at alarming rates worldwide despite being more than two decades into this epidemic.
Half of the more than 40,000 new HIV infections in the U.S. this year are
among people 25 years old or younger. The
Ryan White National Youth Conference is committed to developing and supporting youth
leadership to defeat the HIV epidemic.
What Goes On?
The goals of the conference are to: identify and
share effective resources in the fight against HIV among young people; to present models
of care, leadership and support services for HIV positive young people; to present models
of youth appropriate culturally competent services to those infected, affected or at risk;
develop leadership and advocacy skills of young people; and strengthen youth leadership in
the fight against HIV/AIDS
The goals of the Ryan White National Youth Conference are met,
through interactive breakout sessions and peer-led workshops.
Past workshops have addressed how to provide HIV education in the
public school system, HIV prevention through the arts, gay, lesbian,
bisexual, transgender, and queer health issues, and support
services, models of care, and advocacy avenues for youth living with HIV.
Who Attends?
Over 600 youth and
adults who work with youth from around the nation will attend to increase awareness about
the threat HIV infection poses to young people, to identify and share effective resources
and experiences in the fight against HIV among young people, and to learn about youth
appropriate HIV treatment programs and strategies to aid young people living with HIV.
Conference
History
Positive Youth
Institute
In
2001, the first
annual Positive Youth Institute was held, a one day
pre-conference for HIV positive youth.
It was made possible by the additional support of AIDS
Medicine and Miracles and Triangle Pharmaceuticals. The goals of
The
Institute are to improve the health and self-advocacy skills of
HIV positive youth; to
increase their physical, emotional, spiritual wellness; and to
begin building a coalition
for a national movement of positive youth, increasing
visibility. Over 60 HIV positive
youth attended the first annual and ended the day feeling less
isolated, empowered, and more informed regarding their
health and how to take care of themselves. On February 13,
2004,
the third annual will take place. The organizers expect
100 youth and to increase the momentum of the positive
youth
movement. |
How Did It Begin?
In 1994, Metro TeenAIDS began a conference for youth in the
Washington, D.C., metropolitan area who wanted to learn more about HIV/AIDS and strengthen
their skills as peer educators. The conference was organized by local youth and attracted
youth and young adults from across the country.
As Time Went On...
In October 1995,
Metro TeenAIDS formed a partnership with the National
Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) to coordinate and administer the second annual
conference. Concurrently, the Ryan White Foundation agreed to provide financial support
for the conference. In recognition of that gift, the conference was named the Ryan White
National Youth Conference on HIV and AIDS. The third annual conference (the first
conference of this partnership) was held in Washington, D.C., during the President's Day
Weekend in February 1996. Nearly 200 youth and their adult educators attended the
conference.
In 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000, the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh annual conferences
were held in Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, and St. Louis. While planning these
conferences, NAPWA and Metro TeenAIDS collaborated with the Ryan White Foundation, The
AIDS Memorial Quilt, Roxane Laboratories, and the National AIDS Fund; they continue to
work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) and the Health Resources and Services
Administration (HRSA). Between 300 and 500 participants attended each of these
conferences. In 2001, The AIDS
Alliance for Children, Youth & Families joined as a partner in the eighth
conference, held in Denver. Nearly 600 participants attended. In
2003, Advocates for youth
joined as a partner in the tenth annual conference held in Dallas.
Over 600 participants attended. This year, for the eleventh annual,
the National Youth Advocacy Coalition
has joined as a partner. Organizers
expect over 600 participants at this year's conference, which will be held
in Portland, Oregon.
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