The Vienna Youth Force preconference, which was held between the 14 and 16 July was designed to set the scene and the agenda for the youth participants in the International AIDS Conference.

While it brought together an amazing mix from regions and countries, with all geographic areas of the HIV response represented, it by no means reflected the diversity of the communities of young people most affected by HIV.

Young people living with HIV, young drug users, young sex workers were present but their number did not reflect their significance in the HIV landscape. Those that were at the preconference participated effectively and articulated well that their constituencies required specific attention not only from decision makers but by their broader youth network peers.

There were a number of sessions that focused on the realities of the lives of and experiences of young people from key populations and it was clear that such messages were welcomed by the broader group. It was encouraging to see the tide beginning to turn away from toothless youth campaigning with little to no substantive content to a response driven by the groups it seeks to serve.

However the organizers had a responsibility and a duty to all young people affected by HIV, to reflect this shift in paradigm in the final messaging that was to be promoted throughout the main conference. It is all very well hearing about the needs of specific groups, but unless these needs get included in advocacy messages then nothing will change. Unfortunately the richness of the content in the sessions did not translate into anything meaningful that participants could use to participate in the main IAC. This is disappointing.

"Human Rights - Harm Reduction - Health Resources – Now Make it Happen" is the slogan for the Youth Force. It sounds all very commendable – but unless we have real lived experiences and specific needs that support this demand – it means nothing.

The danger of continuing in this vein is twofold:

Firstly we continue to show established leaders in the HIV response that young people do not have anything more than big demands, energy and enthusiasm to offer. Young people are highly skilled with a level of understanding of issues that are incredibly valuable further young people from key populations have an insight that is unique and their contributions could enhance programming and policy making significantly. Until we are able to articulate the realities effectively we will never be able to legitimize our place in HIV decision-making bodies.

Secondly the groups that most need to space and the voice to raise their needs in these fora will become increasingly frustrated and disconnected from the youth movement and the large youth advocacy networks, marginalizing these groups from the peers further.

There is clearly hope within the movement but unless we take a more strategic approach to engaging with the HIV response we will struggle to make progress on issues that affect the lives of young people.