Organized by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and United Nations Volunteers, the United Nations system in China has launched a training program for Olympic volunteers on HIV prevention and anti-discrimination.

"Many young people do not have the right information on AIDS fuelling false fears, stigma and discrimination. This is bad in itself, but also hampers HIV prevention work," stated UNAIDC Country Coordinator in China Bernhard Schwartlander.

The training is conducted in collaboration with the Beijing Youth League, Marie Stopes International China and Red Cross Society of China and is part of the volunteers' preparation for service during the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games. Around 5,500 volunteers participated directly in the training in 12 different universities from June 14-15, while 100,000 volunteers will receive a basic information package on AIDS, providing a unique opportunity to reach talented Chinese youth with important knowledge and skills on HIV prevention and anti-discrimination. Among the trainers are people living with HIV who have been trained as trainers and public speakers as part of a project supported by UNAIDS and UNDP.

The training is an important contribution to the response to HIV in China as well as to the successful organization of the 2008 Olympics and Paralympics. Volunteers who have been successful in applying to serve during the Olympics are among the brightest youth in China. Many may go on to be future leaders, making them a highly relevant target audience for training in key development issues. This training event has been co-funded by UNAIDS, UNDP and UNV and is one of many planned in a partnership between UNDP, UNV and the Beijing Youth League within a project aimed at strengthening volunteerism for development in China through the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games.