Before the Conference

As a young person, you can do much more than simply attend the International AIDS Conference. Don't be afraid to be 'part' of the conference; young people are necessary agents of change that must be actively involved in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. The Youth Programme and YouthForce encourage youth to be more than 'onlookers', but rather active participants at the International AIDS Conference.

What can I do to prepare myself before attending the International AIDS Conference? The International AIDS Conference will give you access to new knowledge, skills, and networking.

Things to do before attending:

• Familiarise yourself with the program overview
• Regularly check the www.aids2008.org website in the lead up to the conference for program updates and key information.
• Make a list of any key people you know will be at the conference that you would like to network with. Do some research and see if you can make contact with them via email prior to the conference to arrange a meeting time. If this is not possible there are notice boards at the conference. We recommend that if you are going to leave a message on the notice board for people do it as soon as you arrive at the conference. As the week gets busier people are less likely to check the message boards.
• Know the issues that are most important to you. Research as much as possible beforehand so that you do not get too lost in technical complexities.
• Think about how information from the Conference will help the HIV/AIDS programs in your own community and highlight the 3 key areas you would like to gain more knowledge on and use these 3 key areas as the guide to helping you choose the sessions you would like to attend.

Prioritize!

• What are the most important lessons you would like to bring back home?
• What struggles require the most urgent attention?
• What would you like to learn?
• Where would you like to go to feel supported in your work?
• Whom would you like to challenge regarding current policies on HIV/AIDS?


• Know ahead of time if there are people you might want to speak with once at the conference. If you have their contact information beforehand, it may make sense to drop them a note saying that you will look forward to chatting with them at the conference.

The pre-conference will consist of informative and skills-building workshops around HIV/AIDS issues, ranging from scientific knowledge to effective political advocacy. Participants will also gain skills in research methodology, monitoring and evaluation, media and communications, as well as updated information on prevention strategies, harm reduction, and details on treatment. Participants will learn how to advocate to policymakers on issues relevant to young people and how to deliver the YouthForce's advocacy messages at the conference and beyond.

The pre-conference has two main objectives:

• To provide technical information and capacity building on the political, scientific, economic and social context of HIV/AIDS to young people (ages 16 to 26) so they can effectively participate in the five tracks of the XVII International AIDS Conference.
• To empower young people through information, advocacy, and relationship-building to be advocates for youth and for an end to HIV and AIDS at the main conference, in their home countries and internationally.

Young participants at previous Pre-Conferences remarked that the Pre-Conference was one of the most useful and informative aspects of the entire Conference experience. Youth participants gained skills that were useful not only during the main conference, but also when they returned to their homes to carry on their HIV/AIDS work.

* The Mexico YouthForce, a continuation of previous YouthForces at the International AIDS Conferences in Toronto, Bangkok and Barcelona, is a coalition of youth-led and/or youth-serving HIV/AIDS organizations who are working to empower young delegates and promote youth participation around HIV/AIDS before, during and after the XVII Mexico City International AIDS Conference.