Involve youth. Young people are among the most effective advocates for
change, and several programs have channeled their energy and enthusiasm into helping
modify social norms and lower barriers to youth programming. Members of the Youth Advocacy
Movement of the Bahamas Family Planning Association produced a "photojournal"
depicting issues of importance to youth. They presented these to Ministry of Health
officials to highlight youth concerns as part of a broader campaign to advocate for
greater attention to youth health.54 In the Dominican Republic,
advocacy by youth, including visits to legislators, a letter-writing campaign to local and
national government officials, and rallies and other events were key to the recent passage
of a national youth law.55 In Brazil, community members initially
ridiculed girls trained to speak to other youth on HIV/AIDS and sexuality. As the value of
their work became apparent, the girls gained the respect of the community and changed
beliefs about the proper role of young women in openly discussing sex.56