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Asia Regional Training Workshop on Youth and HIV/AIDS

12 February 2008

5-day workshop will highlight the significant role young people can play by spreading awareness about HIV/AIDS and raising their voice against the stigma and discrimination attached to it

The CYP Asia Regional Training Workshop on “Youth and HIV/AIDS” for the Commonwealth Youth Ambassadors for Positive Living (CYAPL) which is taking place from 11-15 February 2008 in New Delhi, India, was inaugurated by the Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, Mr. S.K. Arora at the India Islamic Cultural Centre on 11 February.

Also in attendance at the opening ceremony were, Mr Raj K. Mishra, Regional Director of the CYP Asia Centre, Ms. Vimala Periyannanpillai, Asia Centre Programme Manager, Mr. Mukul Chatterjee, Director of Youth Affairs, Government of India, Dr. Sakeel Ahmed, Director General, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Dr. D. Agochiya, former Deputy Director of the then Gender and Youth Division, Commonwealth Secretariat, Mr. Sailesh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, National Service Scheme (NSS) programme officers and volunteers, and participants from member countries.

Mr. Raj Mishra, while welcoming the participants and the guests outlined the objectives of this training workshop as (i) imparting enhanced knowledge and skills to the new entrants into the league of CYAPL (ii) sharing of experiences and lessons learnt and (iii) establishing a network of young activists (CYAPL) to work towards promotion of positive living among their cohorts and the community in general.

Mr Mishra lauded the achievements of some of the CYAPL alumni who were specially invited to interact with and inspire their younger colleagues. He particularly mentioned the case of Kausalya who recently made it into the finals of the Indian of the Year contest in the public service category organised by the popular news channel CNN-IBN. He also lauded the efforts of two other alumni, namely, Afroja from Bangladesh and Hasina from India. Their contribution has brought significant changes and motivated many to stand and work for the cause.

Mr. Arora, the chief guest congratulated the new CYAPL and complimented the work done by their predecessors which should be a source of inspiration for them. Tracing the history of the pandemic, Mr. Arora expressed satisfaction over the fact that most of the Commonwealth Asia countries have now moved from a state of denial to affirmative action. He underscored the significant role which young people can play in prevention and care and support efforts by spreading awareness about the epidemic and raising their voice against the stigma and discrimination attached to it.

The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks given by Mr. Mukul Chatterjee, Director, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.

The five-day workshop is being attended by 25 participants from Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, India, Maldives, Malaysia and Singapore.

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