More than 200 high school students will participate in an award-winning event that will help broaden their horizons and enhance their leadership abilities. On Oct. 18, the second annual Learning about AIDS workshop will bring students together from 18 Peel secondary schools in Caledon, Brampton and Mississauga. All of the activities are designed to help students learn how they can make a difference in their communities by assuming a leadership role and organizing activities and events at their schools during AIDS Awareness Week, Nov. 27 to Dec. 1. Now in our second year, student interest in learning more about AIDS has grown significantly.
Students have an incredible influence among their peers.
One third of the people infected with HIV in Peel are diagnosed in their 20s. By hearing first-hand from young people infected with this disease, many students will become motivated to educate others about prevention. The first Learning about AIDS workshop took place in 1999 with 100 students participating. This event encourages students to increase their involvement and expand the AIDS awareness activities and events already taking place at their schools. Earlier this year, the Peel District School Board received a Golden Achievement Award from the National School Public Relations Association, based in Rockville, Maryland, for the Learning about AIDS workshop.