Scandinavian school in Kiev, Ukraine: Greeting

Mr Ambassador,
Dear students,

Thank you for inviting me to your school. To find a Scandinavian gymnasium here in Kiev, teaching Danish, Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian, is not what I expected. Knowledge of languages creates bridges across borders and between people. This is more important than ever. It is a very useful tool when focusing on international issues and for making friends with youth from other countries.

When I meet with young people in Norway, I’m often struck by how engaged they are in today’s global challenges. In 2008 we live in a world where it’s impossible to distance ourselves from problems that seem far away. We all share the same planet, and we all share some major problems we must solve together – like climate change, poverty and Hiv/AIDS.

I have been here in Kiev for only two days, and the reason I’m here is one of those challenges, something I find very important to focus on:

The purpose of my visit was to meet with people who live and work with HIV and AIDS. Unfortunately I have not been able to meet all the people I was meant to discuss this issue with. But yesterday I had the opportunity to interact with some impressive Ukranian youth leaders.

The HIV epidemic affects people in every country in the world. The problem is so severe and complex that the United Nations has created a special programme to deal with it, called UNAIDS. I have been working together with UNAIDS for 2 ½ years now.

AIDS is spreading in many parts of the world – unfortunately also in Ukraine. Drug use and unsafe sex make young people particularly at risk. The problem with AIDS is that there is still no medication to cure it. But treatment can improve the quality of life for those who are infected. Quite often, Hiv positive people experience discrimination in their society. Positive people are just like you and me and should be treated as such.

The epidemic can be stopped. But only if we know enough about it. It is vital that young people know how to protect themselves. Protection and empowerment are strongly linked. Yong girls and boys should acknowledge that they are the only ones in 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.

Youth can make a real difference. You know best what is important for young people, and what kind of future you want to create. At some level, each and everyone can contribute to make a future without Aids.

Thank you