It was a great and powerful message to the youth . - Screening participant

1. “One Blood: Youth Linked in Action”: youth change agents and the power of videoIan McKnight, Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC), Kingston, Jamaica; Nicci Stein, Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD), Ottawa, Canada The most rewarding part was getting do the interviews and really meet people living with HIV in Jamaica and understanding their struggle and seeing how similar it is in Ottawa. No matter where you live fear is the same and how HIV changes lives is the same no matter where you go. -Youth participant METHODS: Twelve youth from Jamaica and the Caribbean Diaspora in Canada were selected to participate in a project to develop skills and awareness of the drivers of HIV in the Caribbean region and amongst the Diaspora in Canada. The project participants were given training in HIV and AIDS, story development, filming, interviewing and editing. Over a five week period, the participants created the story and filmed footage for a 20 minute documentary exploring youth perceptions, misconceptions, experiences and feelings about HIV in Jamaica and Canada. Community screening and discussion took place in Toronto and Ottawa, Canada and Kingston, Jamaica. RESULTS: The youth participants received skills that will serve them well professionally. They also developed a deeper understanding of the social drivers of the epidemic in the region. Through community screenings, audiences gained a better understating of the factors affecting youth and influencing the spread of HIV in Jamaica and the Diaspora in Canada. BACKGROUND: Half of new HIV infections are amongst young people aged 15-24 years. The Caribbean region has the highest incidence of HIV infection outside of Sub-Saharan Africa. This concentrated epidemic affects young men who have sex with men and girls who enter into financially dependent relationships with older men (dons). The spread of HIV is fuelled by societal endorsement of homophobia (often expressed through physical violence) and strongly entrenched gender roles. […] it was so important for me to gain experience in this field and learn what I can. I intend to move into the development field in the near future. -Youth participant I taped a lot of the footage that was taken and I really enjoyed it.  I felt that that was the area where I was able to contribute the best to and show my creative side, and I had a lot of fun with it! -Youth participant CONCLUSIONS: Video is a powerful medium for HIV education and prevention. Youth- led initiatives are effective in reaching young people at risk of contracting HIV and educating health care providers, church and community leaders. Youth who receive skills training that will benefit them in the future are engaged as leaders. It was a great and powerful message to the youth. -Screening participant The video and accompanying fact sheet can be accessed at www.icad-cisd.com Project undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)