Our Mission
The AIDS2024 Munich Youth Force strives to lead an inclusive youth program, creating a global platform to showcase diverse needs and contributions of young people.
This year’s youth force is a collective of 30 people in our working groups and steering committee, representing around 25 countries across the world and many impactful organizations.
Global Pavilion Main Stage 2022
THE HISTORY
The Start of Youth Force
In 2000, there were only a handful of young people at the International AIDS conference.
At the 13th International AIDS Conference, in Durban, a speech was made by Nkosi Johnson, aged 11. It was then, when ‘youth’ was recognized as an important stakeholder in the HIV response. The YouthForce initiative was formed after his death in 2001, as a response to the lack of support for young people.
TODAY
Where We Are Today
Young people are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. In 2022, UNICEF reported that, 480,000 youth between the ages of 10 to 24 were newly infected with HIV. With this current trend, the world will not be able to meet UNAIDS’ 2030 goal - to end AIDS by 2030.
The Munich Youth Force recognizes that unique perspectives and experiences of youth are crucial in shaping effective strategies and interventions to help combat these rates of infection.