411: HIV/AIDS & Global Education Presentation

“You have a voice, I have ears, you spoke, and I listened!!! – Student Toronto High School

The program has reached over 50,000 young people across Canada and has been showcased at the 2006 & 2008 International Aids Conferences.

The project works to engage young people and the community at large in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, while also combating misinformation, stigma and stereotyping related to HIV/AIDS in Canada. The presentation is a parody of a television talk show and includes film, music and theater and discussion sessions as well as follow up projects for young people.

The program is not meant to be only a public health education project, rather to also teach young people that HIV/AIDS is a common global issues and that they can participate here in Canada to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS globally. This years program is presented in partnership with Keep a Child Alive.

If you have questions or need more information email connect@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.