Connect: World Aids Day - Presentations

Project Description:

411 is producing a special event to engage Toronto area students in celebrating World Aids Day in 2009.

411 has presented our HIV/AIDS & Global Education program to over 50,000 young people across Canada and at the 2006 and 2008 International Aids Conferences. This special two hour interactive presentation will feature video content from around the world and special guests including Rochester, Masia One, Eternia, DJ Dopey and Dwayne Morgan.

Like all 411's in school programs this event features arts based inspirational and motivational content designed to engage young people in affecting change at both the locally and globally to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. The programs special post show kits will provide activities and resources for your schools involvement throughout the year.

 

About World Aids Day:

World AIDS Day is observed every year on December 1st. The World Health Organization established World AIDS Day in 1988. World AIDS Day provides governments, national AIDS programs, faith organizations, community organizations, and individuals with an opportunity to raise awareness and focus attention on the global AIDS epidemic.

Registration: SOLD OUT

Tickets must be reserved online.

All tickets must be reserved in advance.

Need more info email paul@whatsthe411.ca

Why Is HIV/AIDS Education Important For Young Canadians?

With HIV/AIDS infection rates increasing among young people in Canada and around the world, there is an urgent need to increase access to discussion of HIV/AIDS in the community and specifically with and among young people, providing the exchange of information on this common global issue, and increasing HIV/AIDS prevention knowledge.

Canadian youth are vulnerable to HIV infection as a result of many factors, including risky sexual behavior, substance use (including injection drug use), and misconceptions that HIV is not a threat to them. A recent study of Canadian youth by Health Canada showed that Canadian students hold a misconception that there is a vaccine that exists and is available to prevent HIV/AIDS and approximately 66% of Grade 7 students and 50% of Grade 9 students did not know that there is no cure for HIV/AIDS. 411's program works to correct much of the misinformation that Canadian youth have received about HIV/AIDS by presenting the information through popular forms of music and through artists whom they enjoy.

In using contemporary popular arts and cultural role models and music from the Canadian mass media and print, online, television and radio media outlets, 411's program maximizes its reach and impact among young audiences. The combined tools of music, entertainment and cutting-edge artistry create an excellent way to excite youth about effecting change in their communities and to gain their attention to provide life saving information about HIV/AIDS, making youth more aware of issues related to HIV/AIDS in their communities, and in turn, more proactive in civic participation.

Key Messages:

• HIV/AIDS can be beaten, and young people and are the 'window of opportunity' to turn the tide against the pandemic.
  
• Young people and children are among the most affected and most vulnerable demographic to HIV/AIDS.
  
• Young people are capable, courageous, and taking remarkable leadership in their communities.

Directions:

From the TTC
Exit at the Spadina Station on the Bloor or University Subway Lines

From the West
Take Gardiner Expressway East
Exit the Gardiner Expressway at Spadina
Take Spadina North to Bloor Street

From the East
Take the Don Valley Parkway to Bloor Street West
Take Bloor Street West to Spadina