Youths from Togo and Benin launched on
Thursday in Cotonou an operation known as "Crusade for Revival"
whose objective is to combat AIDS in Africa.
The youths expressed their determination to use methodologies
initiated by ACS Worldwide and the NGO World Peace to effectively
control the AIDS scourge, the first cause of mortality in their
age group.
According to organisers, the crusade falls in line with the
guiding principles of the African Union. "The struggle for the
African Union, which should be waged by every African, would
remain a dream if it does not take into account the fight against
AIDS, the scourge of modern times which is decimating African
youth," reads part of these guidelines.
The youths stated that only a synergy taking into account
Africa's traditional and cultural realities would help the
continent to overcome HIV/AIDS.
The youths declared that the crusade would also take into account
new information and communication technologies in the fight
against AIDS.
The initiators of the project are to launch Friday an awareness
and fund-raising campaign in the two countries to finance
national committees, parastatal or private HIV/AIDS control
bodies.
The funds would be used for the protection of the most vulnerable
sections of the population in the two countries, particularly
AIDS orphans.
The youths will also urge Benin and Togolese authorities to
sensitise young people on the need to show solidarity against
HIV/AIDS.
As part of the crusade, the youths intend to organise a major
public concert involving about 20 West African musicians and from
the Diaspora.
The concert will be attended by some 20,000 people, and
performers are encouraged to focus on the need for AIDS awareness
among the youths.
The youths also plan to organise a public march in which youths
and artists from the two countries and elsewhere in Africa would
participate.
The march will end at Lome II where participants will give a
message to Togolese president Gnassingbe Eyadema, who will be
asked to urge his African peers to show more commitment in the
fight against AIDS.
Activities of the "Crusade for Revival" are expected to end with
a televised gala evening, broadcast live by Benin, Togolese and
sub-regional television channels.
A fashion show involving major African designers and models
including Miss West Africa, film stars, musicians, footballers,
and people from the media and show business will participate in
the gala evening.
Symbolic cheques will also be handed to the AIDS control
committees and associations in the two countries.
