Visit to Scandinavian school in Kiev

The Crown Princess was greeted by students dressed in national costumes, singing and waving flags. After an orientation to the school, the Crown Princess visited a class that is studying Norwegian. This was followed by a Ukrainian song and dance performance in the auditorium. Dr Yuriy Subbotin, Leadership and Advocacy Adviser at UNAIDS Ukraine, described the HIV epidemic and emphasised the importance of young people’s involvement in prevention efforts.

In her speech, the Crown Princess warned that “drug use and unsafe sex make young people particularly at risk”. She continued: “The epidemic can be stopped. But only if we know enough about it.... Protection and empowerment are strongly linked. Young girls and boys should acknowledge that they are the only ones [with the] power to make decisions concerning their own body and health. It is crucial to speak up against those who try to ignore this universal human right.”

At the close of the event the Crown Princess fielded questions from young people in the audience about her involvement in AIDS-related activities.