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Canadian Musicians Perform in HIV/AIDS Education Program Slated to Reach 20,000 Youth Across Canada

Canadian non-profit organization The 411 Initiative For Change (411), working with The Canadian Coalition on HIV/AIDS And Youth In Africa (CARE Canada, Foster Parents Plan, Save the Children Canada and World Vision Canada) has developed a nationwide youth HIV/AIDS education program ‘The Corner’ which fuses contemporary music with life-saving HIV/AIDS information targeting young people. Canadian musicians taking part in this program have created HIV/AIDS-themed music for this new production showcasing their passion and commitment to motivate and engage young Canadians in the international fight against HIV/AIDS. This highly effective and candid program will reach 20,000 youth in urban, rural and remote regions across Canada as part of a national concert tour visiting high schools and community centers in May 2006.

‘The Corner’ is educational musical theatre program which bridges arts, culture, and social development into a dynamic ‘edutainment’ performance and youth training sessions. This program works to increase awareness and knowledge on how HIV/AIDS affects young people around the world, and teaches that HIV/AIDS is a global common issue faced by many. The program connects young Canadians to volunteering initiatives in their communities and abroad to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS and provides schools with meaningful opportunities for youth to continue learning about this critical issue. This program demonstrates that young Canadians are drivers of change and make a difference in the world.

‘The Corner’ features soul songstress Melanie Durrant, spoken word poet Dwayne Morgan, rapper Rochester aka Juice and Juno Award nominated rapper Eternia, whose performances discuss the effects of HIV/AIDS on women and children, various communities around the world, and promotes the efforts of young people working to combat the spread of the crippling disease. The production is hosted by former University of Massachusetts hip-hop culture professor Will Strickland. Following the performance, musicians partake in an interactive discussion session with students – challenging them to take an active role in their collective futures, while encouraging them to develop their own individual forms of self-expression through art or advocacy.

“Internationally young people are hardest hit by the HIV/AIDS crisis – with over 6,000 new infections among young people each day worldwide. Many Canadians are surprised to learn that in Canada, 12 people are infected with HIV every day,” explains 411 Executive Director Tamara Dawit. “411 is grateful for the support of the MAC AIDS Fund and the Ontario Arts Council – enabling us to launch this timely program to support the involvement of Canadian youth in the global fight against HIV/AIDS - an issue of importance to Canadians as members of the global community. This program also serves as a ? reminder that HIV infection rates among youth in Canada are rising.”

Canadian youth are vulnerable to HIV infection as a result of many factors, including risky sexual behavior, substance use (including injection drug use), and misconceptions that HIV is not a threat to them. This program addresses some of the data provided in a 2002 national survey which released these troubling results: Canadian students are less worried about contracting HIV/AIDS than the sample of students surveyed in 1989; have the misconception that there is a vaccine available to prevent HIV/AIDS, and many think there is a cure for HIV/AIDS.

‘The Corner’ responds to the requests of 96% of Canadian youth who, when surveyed, requested an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign that was led by - and for - youth.

‘The Corner’ will also be presented at the 16th International AIDS Conference’s cultural program in August 2006, which takes place this year in Toronto, Canada, as well as a second touring phase reaching an additional 20,000 youth in the 2006-2007 school year.

The unique nature of The 411 Initiative For Change’s model of using artists and music as key agents in social change – from within the education system, demonstrates innovative, timely and effective response to the growing need to practice sustainable models for social development.

School Performance Dates (9am and 1pm show each day):

*Certified media: contact 411 for school names, addresses and times in each city

Calgary May 24, 25 & 26, 2006
Halifax May 29, 30 & 31, 2006

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Contact: The 411 Initiative For Change
416-473-3595 / / connect@whatsthe411.ca
www.whatsthe411.ca

Notes to Editor:

· The Canadian Coalition on HIV/AIDS and Youth in Africa - consisting of four of Canada’s largest international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) including CARE Canada, Foster Parents Plan, Save the Children Canada and World Vision Canada — are partnering to collectively through the creative facilitation by 411, to address the devastating impacts of HIV/AIDS on children and youth in Africa.

· The 411 Initiative For Change is a national not-for-profit organization, offering programs for over 100,000 young people across Canada each year.

Supported in part by: The Canadian Coalition on HIV/AIDS and Youth in Africa (Care Canada, Foster Parents Plan, Save the Children Canada and World Vision Canada), The Ontario Arts Council, MAC AIDS Fund and Dose.

Starts	05/08/2006
Ends	05/31/2006
Issues	Economic Justice, Family & Society, Health/Health Advocacy, Human Rights, International, Youth, AIDS, Health Reform, Africa, Youth Drug Abuse
Homepage	www.whatsthe411.ca
Contact	anita@whatsthe411.ca