ABOUT OUR CAMPAIGN
Engage Us. Our Health. Our Rights.
Governments, UN agencies and donors acknowledge that engaging communities, including young people, has been critical to the HIV response. However, the opportunities for young people to raise their voices and concerns about their health often remain limited and tokenistic. The phrase ‘nothing about us, without us’ continues to be a powerful call used by many youth activists to ensure that young people are meaningfully involved in decision-making that affects our lives.
Our campaign highlights the benefits of meaningfully engaging young people, not just for young people themselves but to improve the quality of health services and health policies.
The campaign has been designed by the Vibrant Young Voices Consortium, a partnership between CCABA, PATA and Y+ Global that supports excluded adolescents and young people to have a stronger voice in policy, funding, and programming decision-making to secure their health and rights.
BENEFITS OF MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT
Meaningful engagement benefits young people. Young people can be more active in looking after their health and well-being. They learn new skills, such as how to support their peers in adhering to treatment. They grow their confidence and can negotiate with people in power, whether it is a doctor or a government official.
The meaningful engagement of young people also benefits healthcare systems. For instance, young people living with HIV have actively participated in the design of services and programs that are better integrated and more effective in meeting their unique needs. Additionally, they have been instrumental in improving the quality of healthcare services by monitoring clinics and gathering feedback from their communities. Likewise, they continue to lead campaigns that promote sexual and reproductive health and rights, ensuring that adolescents are well-informed and empowered.
Meaningful engagement is not just about giving young people a seat at the table but about ensuring they feel safe, respected and valued. It begins by recognising that young people can help the world deliver Health For All.
A YOUNG PERSON'S HEALTH JOURNEY FROM THE PERSONAL TO THE POLITICAL
TUNE INTO REAL CONVERSATIONS
The docu-series are a part of the VYV campaign on meaningful youth engagement in health. These videos were shot in Botswana and Nigeria. The short videos show young people's real conversations with key stakeholders such as clinicians, government officials and UN representatives about what meaningful engagement looks like and the benefits of engaging young people. Tune in. Listen. Share with friends.
The docu-series were led by the Youth Advisory Group, with support from Y+ Global and other VYV partners, including PATA and CCABA.
JOIN OUR ART COMPETITION
SHOW YOUR TALENTS
As part of the Engage Us. Our Health. Our Rights campaign, which includes a docu-series on the meaningful engagement of young people in health, VYV is launching an art competition to show what meaningful engagement of young people in healthcare looks like to them and its benefits. The art competition offers a unique platform for creative expression, awareness-building, education, and community engagement. By participating, young artists can make a meaningful impact on both their own lives and the well-being of their communities.
Who can enter, and what am I allowed to submit?
The art competition is open to any young people between the ages of 18-30. You can enter as an individual or a group.
Young people can submit the following but are not limited to:
Submissions can be made by an individual or a group. There is no required structure for an entry, regardless of format. However, the art pieces should address the following themes and questions around meaningful engagement of young people in health, such as
Young people can submit the following but are not limited to:
- Digital paintings, drawings and other types of artwork,
- Videos (but not TikToks),
- Photographs (or a series of photographs),
- Poems, short stories, and other forms of creative literature,
- Digital comics;
- Illustrations, graphics, and posters on awareness raising
Submissions can be made by an individual or a group. There is no required structure for an entry, regardless of format. However, the art pieces should address the following themes and questions around meaningful engagement of young people in health, such as
- What does the meaningful engagement of young people in healthcare mean to you?
- What are the benefits of meaningful engagement of young people in healthcare?
- What are some of the opportunities for meaningfully engaging young people in healthcare?
Where and when can I submit my artwork?
What are the prizes?
The winner will receive USD 300. Two runner-ups will also receive USD 200 each. Art pieces from the competition may also be featured at the Youth Corner at ICASA 2023.
What are the judging criteria?
The judging board will consist of one representative from Y+ Global, PATA and CCABA and two VYV Youth Advisory Group members. The artwork will be judged on the following:
- Quality of artwork and design
- Creativity and originality
- Integration of theme
- Impact for viewers
- Inspiration
How will I be notified?
Semi-finalists will be notified about their selection by email by Tuesday, 31 October 2023.
How can I support the campaign or get involved?
For any partners who would like to support the campaign and get involved, you can email Eddy Rudram at erudram@yplusglobal.org and Gabriella Romero at gromero@yplusglobal.org
EXPLORE OUR RESOURCES ON MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT IN HEALTHCARE
WE ARE LED BY OUR YOUTH ADVISORY GROUP
meet the leaders of the campaign
VYV CONSORTIUM PARTNERS
