The training intends to mobilize Caribbean youth leaders to advocate for substantive policy changes across the region in support of reducing their vulnerability to HIV infection by improving access to HIV combination prevention, care, treatment and support services, in recognition of their sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The activities will encompass the development of the capacity of Caribbean youth leaders to act as agents of social change and to support youth participation in high-level advocacy and policy dialogues.

The overarching aim of the training is to strengthen Caribbean youth leaders’ advocacy skills. A 14-member PANCAP Youth Steering Committee comprised of CARICOM Youth Ambassadors and Key Population Youth was established in July 2017 to coordinate the implementation of the Youth Advocacy Framework. The Committee will also provide oversight for youth advocacy at the national and regional level.

CARICOM Youth Ambassadors and Key population youth will be drawn from the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, The Commonwealth of Dominica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Grenada, Guyana, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago.

According to PANCAP Youth Advisor, Dr Astell Collins (Hon.), the intervention fulfils a promise made by PANCAP to the participants of the Youth Meeting held in April 2017.

Youth leaders from each of the key populations will be represented at the meeting. These include sex workers, the transgender community and Men who have sex with men (MSM).

The initiative will be facilitated by an expert in human rights law and will include interactive activities designed to increase participants’ knowledge of human rights and vulnerability.

PANCAP’s overarching objective is to equip participants with skills to develop an advocacy strategy.