About
Who we are
The AIDS 2026 Youth Force is a youth-led movement bringing people living with and affected by HIV to the heart of the world's largest HIV conference. Each Youth Force builds a Pavilion in the Global Village — a home base for art, advocacy, research and local programming, By Us, For Us. In Rio, we lead, and we define what comes next.
Our host
HYPE
The Youth Force Pavilion is produced by HYPE, the youth initiative of the AIDS Committee of Durham Region (ACDR) in Ontario, Canada. HYPE creates spaces for young people to lead HIV education, advocacy and creative work — and carries that mandate onto the global stage at AIDS 2026.
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How this fits together
What is AIDS 2026?
AIDS 2026 is the 26th International AIDS Conference, organized by the International AIDS Society (IAS) and taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 26–31 July 2026. It's the world's largest conference on HIV and AIDS, bringing together scientists, policy makers, healthcare professionals, and people living with and affected by HIV from around the world.
What is the IAS?
The International AIDS Society (IAS) is the global organization that convenes AIDS 2026 and the world's leading HIV conferences, and advocates for an evidence-based, community-driven response to HIV. Learn more at iasociety.org.
Where the Youth Force fits in
The Youth Force Pavilion is hosted and stewarded by HYPE, but the Youth Force itself is made up of young activists, researchers, and organizers living with and affected by HIV from around the world. HYPE is solely responsible for the Pavilion's content, programming, and operations. HYPE 100 is a separate, HYPE-run initiative that takes place alongside AIDS 2026, off-site from the official conference venue.