The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Prince Harry in call for young people to fight Aids
The Duke of Sussex has urged the world’s young people to take on the challenge of tackling the Aids epidemic.
Harry, who is in Amsterdam attending a world conference on Aids, told young delegates supported by his charity Sentebale they were the key.
Across the the numbers globe, of new transmissions among the crucial 10-19 age group is rising while in contrast progress has been made in the very young and adults.
The duke has in recent years followed in the footsteps of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, by raising awareness about HIV/Aids and encouraging people to get tested and know their HIV status.
Speaking during a discussion session, Harry told the young advocates from Sentebale’s Let Youth Lead programme: “More and more leaders should be using the younger generation and the experiences you have – I’m 33 years old and I already feel out of touch.”
The duke added: “We have to put power into the hands of the young.
“Because that’s where the solutions are going to come from, and that’s where the passion and engagement is coming from as well.”
Harry went on to say: “Now we are facing another generation of complacency where a lot of people think ‘Well, you know, it’s solved’. It’s not – this is where you guys are going to take over and solve it.”
Sentebale focuses on supporting HIV-positive young people in Lesotho and Botswana and has given young men and women a voice at the conference on Aids and how if affects their lives.