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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

YMCA YOUTH LEADERS GATHER IN DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA MARCH 14-22 FOR FIRST EVER GLOBAL CAPACITY BUILDING FORUM ON HIV-AIDS

Keynote speakers include Stephen Lewis, United Nations Special Envoy on HIV-AIDs and Zakie Achmat, HIV activist and leader of Treatment Action Campaign (TAC)

Chicago, Mar. 10, 2004 - The World Alliance of YMCAs, YMCA of South Africa, and YMCA of the USA are organizing the inaugural YMCA-sponsored HIV-AIDS Forum, taking place in Durban, South Africa, March 14 - 22, 2004. More than 100 young people from 30 countries who are currently doing pioneering YMCA work in HIV-AIDS, will lead workshops and participate in the inaugural Forum whose theme is "Healing and Wholeness - The Global Challenge of HIV-AIDS." YMCA of the USA, the national resource office for America's 2,540 YMCAs, is the lead sponsor of the Forum, along with YMCA Canada, Y-Care (UK), YMCA Germany, and ICCO, a Dutch international ecumenical agency.

Workshop topics will include capacity-building strategies for youth life skills, peer education, care and counseling, fundraising, youth employment and parental involvement. Keynote speakers include Stephen Lewis, United Nations Special Envoy for HIV-AIDS in Africa, and Zakie Achmat, HIV activist and leader of Treatment Action Campaign (TAC).

"The Forum will be an unprecedented assembly of YMCA youth leaders from around the world currently working at the forefront of this pandemic health crisis. YMCA of the USA is honored to help lead this groundbreaking, global dialogue and sharing of knowledge and best practices," said Kenneth L. Gladish, Ph.D., National Executive Director, YMCA of the USA.

This is the first time YMCAs worldwide have united to share knowledge and resources to help globally fight the HIV-AIDS crisis. At the Forum, delegates will share their expertise in a series of workshops, panels and discussions designed to maximize practical outcomes. The goals for the Forum are to equip participants with the skills to scale-up best practices in HIV-AIDS prevention and care, and to engage in effective advocacy as well as to reduce stigma.

"The forum will promote dialogue and create viable action plans on how to address the root causes of HIV transmission such as gender inequity, youth exploitation, the absence of basic information and educational materials, stigma, lack of access to medical care and counseling and intravenous drug use," said Tom Valentine, Senior Associate Director, International Group, YMCA of the USA..

One of the most unique aspects of this conference is that YMCA youth leaders, namely program directors, volunteers and staff under the age of 35, are presenting the majority of workshops, as well as attending them.

"There's a strong international consensus which says that if the pandemic is to be subdued, it's the youth of the world who will achieve it," said Stephen Lewis, United Nations Special Envoy for HIV-AIDS in Africa. "They're infected disproportionately; they do the bulk of the work on prevention; they hold the future of their countries in their hands. This YMCA conference is therefore of crucial importance."

"This conference will certainly be no mere talking shop; just the reverse. The YMCA movement worldwide is already leading what we believe is an ethical approach to HIV-AIDS prevention and care," said Bart Shaha, Secretary General of the Geneva-based World Alliance of YMCAs.

"YMCA HIV-AIDS programs influence the values and knowledge of more than a million young people a year. But we believe more can be done. This conference is about making a real difference in the global challenge of controlling this complex disease."

YMCA of the USA is the national resource office for America's 2,540 YMCAs. Collectively, YMCAs are the nation's largest not-for-profit community service organization and largest provider of child care, serving 18.9 million people of all faiths, races, ages and incomes, including 9.3 million children. YMCAs offer a broad range of programs including youth leadership and volunteerism, and financial assistance is available. To learn more visit www.ymca.net.

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For more information contact:

Media Relations Manager
YMCA of the USA
312-419-8758

Carlos Sanvee
World Alliance of YMCAs
+41 795 421 478

Aaron Mokabane
YMCA South Africa
+27 11 339 1385