TakingITGlobal: Inspire, Inform, Involve

The Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GYCA) empowers young leaders in HIV/AIDS with the knowledge, skills, resources and opportunities they need to be successful agents of change in their communities.

GYCA is a youth-led international network of 4000 young leaders fighting the spread of HIV and AIDS in 150 countries worldwide. The Coalition is based in New York and Accra, Ghana, and is supported by UNFPA and UNAIDS. GYCA

GYCA's activities focus on four priority areas:
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GYCA is a youth-led international network of 4000 young leaders fighting the spread of HIV and AIDS in 150 countries worldwide. The Coalition is based in New York and Accra, Ghana, and is supported by UNFPA and UNAIDS. GYCA

GYCA's activities focus on four priority areas:

1) Networking and sharing of best practices

GYCA maps youth-focused HIV/AIDS initiatives and youth leaders through an online Global Directory. The Directory links young leaders together to collaborate for change at the local, national, and international level. It is frequently used by governments, United Nations agencies, and NGOs to identify local partners, pool resources, and to reduce the duplication of efforts. GYCA focuses on addressing the needs of young people living with HIV through its "Living Positively" international community. Living Positively, initiated by GYCA members living with HIV, serves as a space to build leadership among positive youth where they can connect with others facing similar issues and challenges.

2) Capacity building and technical assistance

GYCA offers free month-long e-courses to help young people more effectively conduct their HIV/AIDS work on the ground. After graduation, e-course graduates receive technical assistance from GYCA staff and local members to implement their final project plan. GYCA also offers international, regional, and local trainings, information and opportunity-sharing e-groups, and speaking and publicity opportunities at prominent international events. GYCA members have access to internships, jobs, volunteer and grant opportunities, and scholarships.


3) Political advocacy

GYCA provides opportunities for members to work with governments and the United Nations to influence HIV/AIDS policy and programs that effect young people. At the international and governmental level, GYCA works to measure progress and hold governments accountable to international declarations and national commitments to reduce HIV infections among youth, and to ensure access to sexual and reproductive health information and services including condoms, HIV testing, and youth-friendly health clinics.


4) Preparing for international conferences

International public health events are crucial opportunities for training, networking, showcasing successful work, and for advocating to high level decision-makers to take action on HIV/AIDS interventions for and with youth. GYCA provides capacity-building workshops for youth before major events to train youth participants on advocacy, media outreach, technical aspects of the AIDS epidemic, and other topics. GYCA members are frequently selected to speak on panels, plenaries, and to give sessions. GYCA also offers a special e-course on preparing conference abstracts and securing scholarships before major international conferences.

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Small Grants for graduates of GYCA's free E-Courses: www.youthaidscoalition.org

Apply to be National Focal Point!
www.youthaidscoalition.org

XVII International AIDS Conference- Participate in the Mexico City YouthForce!
...
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Small Grants for graduates of GYCA's free E-Courses: www.youthaidscoalition.org

Apply to be National Focal Point!
www.youthaidscoalition.org

XVII International AIDS Conference- Participate in the Mexico City YouthForce!
(http://groups.takingitglobal.org/aids2008)


Free E-Courses- Find out how to apply at http://www.youthaidscoalition.org/pages.html?page=ecourses




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