To mobilise young people living with HIV around the world to promote our right to live healthy and fulfilling lives.
All young people living with HIV enjoy healthy and fulfilling lives.
In 2004, there was a realization of the need to virtually connect young people living with HIV (YPLHIV) and to decision –making spaces. In 2010, the Global Network of Young People Living with HIV (GNP+) wanted to come up with a youth programme then Y+ Programme was born.
In a bid to provide feedback to the programme, 28 YPLHIV were selected for their outstanding commitment to voluntary work, as well as their connection to HIV work in their region or community. This was the Y+ Advisory Group which called for a strategic planning process, to pin down the aims of our network of young people living with HIV.
The need for a governance structure translated into the creation of our Y+ Steering Committee in 2015, which serves the entire community of adolescents and YPLHIV. To enhance the responsibilities of our committee members, we reviewed their roles and in 2017 we created the Y+ Global Board, who now have specific responsibilities, work priorities, rights and duties, as well as a clear process of electing new board members.
It all began in 2004, when we realised the need to connect young people living with HIV (YPLHIV) to each other, as well as to global decision-making spaces. This virtual network was a way to ensure young people do not feel alone. We called it Young Positives.
When we heard that the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) was creating a new youth programme, we decided to integrate with them, and in 2010 we became the Y+ Programme. The vision was to mainstream youth issues in GNP+’s work, and see our agenda elevated.
It became apparent that we needed a way to provide feedback on the development of the Y+ Programme, and so a Y+ Advisory Group was soon born. The 28 YPLHIV volunteers were chosen for their outstanding commitment to voluntary work, as well as their connection to HIV work in their region or community.
Realising that our work had become a little ad-hoc, the Y+ Advisory Group called for a strategic planning process, to pin down the aims of our network of young people living with HIV.
During this planning session in early 2014, we brought together young representatives of many people living with HIV communities, to share thoughts, ideas and challenges. We were able to create a new vision, mission, governance structure and programmatic priorities for our Y+ network.
The need for a governance structure translated into the creation of our Y+ Steering Committee in 2015, which serves the entire community of adolescents and YPLHIV. To enhance the responsibilities of our committee members, we reviewed their roles and in 2017 we created the Y+ Board, who now have specific responsibilities, work priorities, rights and duties, as well as a clear process of electing new board members.
To enhance the responsibilities of our committee members, we reviewed their roles and in 2017 we created the Y+ Board, who now have specific responsibilities, work priorities, rights and duties, as well as a clear process of electing new board members.
In this year we registered as the Global Network of Young People Living with HIV (Y+ Global) in the Netherlands and we renamed our social digital platforms to the new name.
Y+ Global is officially registered in The Netherlands as a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO), in Dutch: Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling (ANBI).
Horacio is a Public Relations student and a Human Rights activist for young people with HIV, working within peer networks in Argentina since 2014. He was part of the regional coordination of positive youth in Latin America from 2019 to 2022. Engaged in moderating support meetings, territorial activism activities, case accompaniment, mediation, political advocacy, governance, strategic litigation, and resource mobilization, he is part of a generation of Latin American activists breaking barriers to participation in our region.
Kimberly Amanda Springer is an advocate, activist, and feminist from Trinidad and Tobago and serves as a vice chair on the board for Y+ Global representing the Caribbean region. She is at the forefront of amplifying the voices of young women, adolescent girls, and young mothers in her home country and the wider Caribbean region. Kimberly is dedicated to addressing critical issues such as HIV and AIDS, gender-based violence, and promoting sexual and reproductive health rights.
Kimberly’s advocacy work extends beyond her local community and into the international arena. She is an active member of several prominent networks, including the International Community of Women Living with HIV – Chapter of Young Women & Adolescent Girls, where she works to support and empower women and girls. Additionally, as a member of the UNFPA Youth Advisory Group of Trinidad and Tobago, she passionately advocates for the diverse needs and issues faced by young women and adolescent girls.
Kimberly is also a certified Youth Mental Health First Aider. This certification underscores her commitment to promoting holistic well-being and providing essential mental health support for young people. Kimberly’s multifaceted involvement reflects her tireless dedication to creating positive change locally and globally.
