Through mobilising, educating and empowering young people the Student Stop AIDS Campaign is building a new social movement of young people as the key agents for change amongst their own peers and in public policy on HIV/AIDS. The Campaign Support Unit is based at Students Partnership Worldwide (SPW) and draws on the policy knowledge and expertise of the Stop AIDS Campaign coalition. Making the most of our resources, we work though volunteers who mobilise groups at local levels to act as catalysts for change within their local communities. Serviced by SPW, these volunteers are equipped with the training, resources and support they need to be effective in their communities.

In the three years since Student Stop AIDS set up, our determination and enthusiasm have effectively demonstrated the value of harnessing the energies and commitment of young people. Through our involvement in Global Student Forum 06, and with the launch of our new UK programme Dance4Life, SPW is working hard to expand the campaign’s reach into local schools and vulnerable communities.

The Student Stop AIDS campaign is currently the only UK movement that will harness the specific energies and talents of young people to address HIV and AIDS at this crucial juncture for action on the pandemic. Student Stop AIDS Campaign has addressed the below with the following success:

Our 2004 “Act Now” Campaign highlighted the importance of actively engaging with decision makers.  Students lobbied MPs and high profile ministers to put AIDS treatment onto the government’s agenda.  As a result, the Labour Manifesto for 2005 included a commitment to universal access to AIDS treatment by 2010.

Students have become a permanent fixture at meetings of the Parliamentary group on AIDS and Ministers have become increasingly open to advocacy meetings with our members.  The Student Stop AIDS campaign was a leading advocate for renegotiations of the TRIPS agreement prior to December’s WTO ministerial.

Following the Labour Manifesto promise, we shifted our strategy from catalyst for change to watchdog, with our “World is Watching” campaign.  We needed a distinct concept which is easily recognised by MPs and the public.  Our logo is an eyeball, with Africa, the Middle East and Europe superimposed onto the iris.  It suggests vigilance and spells out that while Africa is the focus of our campaign our goals are of global import. 

As well as printing the logo onto action cards, publications and t-shirts, the eyeball motif has been developed to appeal young people.  Last June we held a rally in London’s Trafalgar Square, where students dressed as the G8 leaders, were ‘watched’ by eerie eyeball placards and an enormous telescope.  The fact that the stunt was visually unique ensured plenty of media attention.

Similar demonstrations took place in Edinburgh around the G8 summit, reminding Tony Blair to push for a G8 pledge on AIDS treatment available for all by 2010.  With this commitment secured, we will continue to watch the G8 to ensure they make this happen.

To be kept informed of all Student STOP AIDS Campaign activities, sign up to the e-newsletter here.

SPW organised the third annual Unite to Fight AIDS Speaker Tour last year from October 31^st  to November 13th, in which five young AIDS activists from the US and Africa shared their experiences with over 2500 students and young people. They spoke about their own experiences of AIDS, the action being taken by young people in their countries and what they feel the international community should do to address the pandemic. The tour aims to strengthen youth solidarity as an essential component of the global response to the AIDS crisis. Hearing about other young people’s experiences can make a real difference in how young people in the UK understand and subsequently respond to global issues.  To read the report on the 2005 Speaker Tour click here.

In May 2006, Student Stop AIDS had its film debut with the launch of “Stand up, Speak Out!”, a short film giving young people the opportunity to voice their views on the pandemic and what should be done.  The film was premiered at a meeting with Stop AIDS and the All Party Parliamentary Group on AIDS in May 06, and will be available more widely from September.

Get involved, join a society near you, or set up your own one.  Email Katy Athersuch to find out more!