FROM THE MAKERS OF SHUGA: A CONFERENCE FOR THE YOUTH

NOPE, a global non-profit advocacy organization for youth involvement in reproductive health,  kicked off its 5^th Biennial International Conference on Peer Education, Sexuality & HIV  that will be held in Nairobi from  June 13-15, 2012 at the KICC. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga EGH, MP, will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest.

The Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation (MOPHS) and Ministry of Medical Services (MOMS) and the two main national coordinating mechanisms: National AIDS Control Council (NACC) and National AIDS and STI Control Program (NASCOP) are the main conference partners supported by various USG funded organizations I Choose Life (ICL), The Partnership for an HIV-Free Generation Kenya (HFG/K), among others.

'This is a call to action to all players to substantially contribute to the number ONE agenda of the UNAIDS Strategy 2010-2015 – Reduction of new HIV infections. There will be a youth pre-conference, a forum for the young people to help increase their participation at the conference through their networks, to make them agents of change. This will further help the youth to have a deeper understanding of policy frameworks, increase skills in advocacy, leadership and participation in such international forums,' says Job Akuno, NOPE Technical Advisor, Behavioral Interventions

Mr. Akuno added, 'The conference will focus on the latest innovations, evidence, science and technology transfer in an HIV prevention revolution; universal access to treatment for prevention without reservation; enabling environment to new HIV infections; and meaningful engagement of efforts of young people as agents of change.'

A key attraction in revolutionizing HIV prevention will take the conference online with topical issues under consideration driven by the HFG/K digital platform.

'Using the Twitter Hash Tag: #NOPEConference on the @HIVFREEGEN we shall endeavour to cover topical matters that will be presented at the conference throughout the week,' said Rose Thuo, HFG/K Communication Manager. 'Responsible Sexting, Voluntary Male Medical Circumcision and cultural circumcision, and the Pains of Loving among others will be trending online soon.'

Held every two years, the gathering will be the platform to dialogue on Policy, Health Programs and latest innovations in reducing HIV by young people, governments, civil society, PLHIV and other stakeholders.