EXTENSIVE YOUTH OUTREACH PLANNED
AROUND FIRST AFRICAN/BLACK DIASPORA STREAM AT
XVI INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE
Youth
Involvement the Focus with Series of
Inventive
and Engaging Events
Toronto, ON (August 10, 2006) - The African and
Caribbean Council on HIV/AIDS in Ontario (ACCHO) is proud to be working with
Rexdale Community Health Centre to create a series of interactive seminars and
events with a special focus on youth education and outreach as part of their
organizational initiatives around the first African/Black stream in
International AIDS conference history.
“It is very important that we prepare youth with
the hands-on skills that they need to make healthy choices and combat the
external factors that influence their sexual behaviours” says Rose-Ann Bailey,
Youth Program Coordinator at Rexdale Community Health Centre. “We have
developed a series called ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’ as a way to
engage both local and international youth in a creative way that moves beyond
just giving them information.”
Incorporating edutainment, theatre, role
playing, music and art, the youth showcases are meant to engage and provoke
discussion, and take place both on and offsite from Monday, August 14 through
Thursday, August 17, 2006.
Monday, August 14
1pm to 4pm
Dream Lounge (205 Richmond St. W.)
Drop It Like It’s Hot: A Sexual Health Guide for Urban Youth
This group intervention is designed to give youth practical
strategies for safer sex negotiation, condom use and understanding the
connection between common Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI). Through the
use of educational theatre, role-plays and condom explorations, youth combat
the internal and external factors influencing their sexual heath behaviours and
choices.
Monday, August 14
4:30 pm to 7pm
Dream Lounge (205 Richmond St. W.)
Drop It Like
It’s Hot Edutainment
This event will
host creative works from local and international performing artists to address
the issues of safer sex education through form theatre (Theatre of the
Oppressed), spoken word, dance, reggae, Hip Hop/Rap, Rhythm and Blues..
Tuesday, August 15
2:15pm to 3:45pm
Youth Pavilion at MTCC
ACCHO Youth
Session
Stereotypes vs. the Realities of Youth in the African/Black
Diaspora
Tuesday, August 15
3:45pm to 6pm
Yonge- Dundas Square
Da Real
Deal/Reality Rules (Theatre Presentation) (Snippets)
Sixty at risk
youth combine their creative energies to impart sexual health knowledge
on their peers through the use of educational theatre.
Thursday, August 17
12:45pm to 2pm
Youth Pavilion MTCC
Hip Hop and Reggae Dancehall music have
been seen as having an enormous impact on the sexuality of its audience, both
negative and positive. How could something that sounds so bad, feel so
good? How can these juxtaposing entities exist in a positive psyche of these
“victims?” And can they be used to create an effective group sexual health
intervention program for youth?
In addition to these activities, the public is also
encouraged to stop by the African/Black Diaspora Networking Zone
throughout the conference in the Global Village at the Metro Toronto Convention
Centre featuring the “Drop it Like it’s Hot Photo and Art Exhibition” and the
“Heroes in the Struggle” photo exhibit, as well as poetry, readings and
performances.
ABOUT ACCHO
The African and Caribbean Council on HIV/AIDS in Ontario (ACCHO)
is made up of organizations and individuals committed to HIV prevention,
education, advocacy, research, treatment, care and support for African and
Caribbean communities in Ontario. The 21 members include community
organizations, researchers, government, health institutions, individuals, and
private sector organizations. At least two-thirds of the 18 voting members
must be African and Caribbean people.
Earlier this
summer, ACCHO launched a groundbreaking, community based, public awareness
campaign across Ontario along with a resource website, www.preventaids.ca.
For a complete, up to the minute schedule of events,
please visit http://www.accho.ca/?page=home.aids2006.schedule
For further inquiries,
please contact:
Nadia Sandhu
LH Metropolis
Communications
416-839-8508
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