Youth and AIDS in the 21st Century

Heavy rains in Belize City did not stop bus-loads of youth from attending a World AIDS Day event. HIV/AIDS is an epidemic in Belize; the 2004 World Population Data Sheet indicates that outside of Africa, Belize has the sixth highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the world.

I heard about the event from a Peace Corps Volunteer who works with the Belize Red Cross. The Belize Red Cross was involved in the first national response and continues to participate in advocacy, providing information, training, technical assistance, food and clothing.

The Belize Red Cross, XChange/UNICEF, Ministry of Education, Youth for the Future, and National Art Development Foundation partnered with many other organizations organized a Youth Fest in Memorial Park. This year's theme:"Youth and AIDS in the 21st Century. Move On…". The Youth Fest featured performances from young people in the schools, youth organizations, and local musicians. All of the performances focused around the theme, to present positive messages, combat stigma and discrimination and disseminate accurate information about HIV and AIDS.