Dear Friends,
It is my pleasure to invite you to a special student programme on youth and
HIV/AIDS prevention and education, on Tuesday, August 12, 2003 in
Baltimore, USA. This is a joint initiative of the All Africa Student Union,
the International Union of Students, and the New Light Leadership
Coalition, Inc. Chief James Ibori the Governor of Delta State in Nigeria
has confirmed his participation as the special guest while other people
from Africa and the United Nations system will be in attendance
The day-long programme marks the occasion of the August 12, United Nations'
International Youth Day, and launches a major campaign of co-operation on
HIV/AIDS among youth and students' organizations in Africa and around the
world. International Youth Day was built by youth organizations in
co-operation with the United Nations over several years, and was first
celebrated in 2001. It seems fitting that this new occasion to mark the
contribution of youth to world development should focus on a problem that
affects so many youth and on a continent that has all the potential in the
world to realize its own youthful renaissance.
The decision to focus on HIV/AIDS in Africa on this International Youth Day
comes from consultations over the past year about key issues for our
members. We know that rates of infection in Africa are staggering, to the
extent that, in some communities the social and economic fabric has been
seriously damaged. Encouragingly, we also know that, where serious efforts
have been made to tackle the issue, rates of infection have declined
dramatically and the social stigmatization associated with the disease has
been alleviated.
Raising awareness and educating one another about HIV/AIDS is a key issue
for the student and youth movements world-wide. In the African region, the
need is especially great, and the dimension of treatment action emerges as
a serious consideration for any campaign on acquired immune deficiency
syndrome and HIV infection. Among all youth, education and action are key
to preventing infection and supporting those who are infected, or whose
family members and friends are infected or living with the effects of
HIV/AIDS.
We hope you will join us in Baltimore for this exciting day of events,
designed as a launching point and a catalyst for further efforts. At the
August 12 event, we hope to develop a plan of action with you, our
partners, and to discuss its implementation.
See the attached programme for details about the day's sessions. We promise
it will be a worthwhile investment of your time and energy. Please contact
me at aasusecgen@yahoo.com to confirm your participation.
Sincerely,
Amb. OGUNLANA, Oludare
Secretary General
All Africa Student Union
<aasusecgen@yahoo.com>
The Secretary-General
All-Africa Students Union, AASU
(An NGO in operational relations with UNESCO)
State House, P.O.Box M274, Accra, Ghana
Tel: (233-24) 233092, (233-21) 258484
Nigeria (234-803)3165071
Fax: (233-21) 774821, www.aasu.org.gh
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