The YouthForce (youth.aids2006.org [6]) has challenged the International AIDS Conference to increase the number of youth participants and has seen incredible results, growing from under 300 youth delegates at the conference in Barcelona in 2002 to over 1,000 here in Toronto. Because of the increase in numbers, youth issues have moved from just discussion items to real advocacy messages, covering access to condoms, comprehensive sex education, and youth-friendly treatment services.

But as this shift is made, the focus on meaningful participation cannot be lost. I have been to several workshops on youth issues, some of which have been completely youth-led, where young people discussed projects where they had major involvement and input. Other workshops, however, would have one or two youth involved during the question and answer period or a small part of the presentation that seemed to be added in at the last minute. The roles youth are given in presenting the projects they participate in often show how seriously their roles are taken by the sponsoring organizations.

To help promote involvement of young people meaningfully within organizations and projects, Advocates for Youth (www.advocatesforyouth.org [7]) has written a lot of training materials and provides technical assistance for youth and adults to work together. It is important for groups to take the time and do the research so that when they do involve youth, the young people are given a chance to fully participate and that will keep them invested.