Commonwealth Youth Ambassadors for Positive Living

Objectives

• Enable young people living with HIV virus or drug rehabilitation to exchange personal experiences and create public awareness
• To increase level of awareness in adolescents
• Promote dialogue amongst various stakeholders in the community - young people, governments, policy makers, local communities, NGOs and pharmaceuticals and research and development institutes, etc.
• To foster behaviour change among young people
• Care and support for HIV infected and affected people/rehabilitated drug/substance addicts
• To integrate with existing HIV/AIDS, drug/substance abuse rehabilitation and reproductive AID programmes/Activities

In January 2001, the Asian Youth Ambassadors for  Positive Living (YAPL) Programme was launched and the  Asia Centre started work to raise awareness on AIDS  and other forms of high-risk behaviour in Asia. This  programme was initially developed by the CYP Africa  Centre using the services of young people living with  HIV/AIDS to create awareness on issues, like HIV/AIDS  and drug abuse, that affect the lives of other young  people.

The Asian YAPL are young people who are  infected/affected with HIV/AIDS or reformed drug addicts  or healthy young people with adequate knowledge of  youth  health issues. They are trained in communication  and public relations skills. They visit and talk to young  people in schools, colleges, universities, youth clubs and  youth related organisations. They participate in Radio/TV  talk shows, media campaigns and other publicity activities.  They assist young people in overcoming fear, ignorance,  prejudice and discrimination related to HIV/AIDS. They also  help in demystification and reverse stigmatisation process.

Their activities are planned, organised and executed by  a coordinating agency. These agencies are also  selected, trained and supported by CYP Asia Centre.  They collaborate and work with national and  international level non-government organ satiations and  developmental organisations. The establishment of  networks and support groups is facilitated and dialogues  are initiated with government agencies. The programme  facilitates link and dialogue between concerned  Ministries and relevant control and prevention  programmes in member countries.