UNIT 3: Advocacy

Unit Focus

Advocacy drives change. It may be to change laws, public opinion and other issues that are important to human rights. Successful advocates research the facts about their cause, propose solutions and give people reasons to care about the issue.

Related Wise Bodies Videos

• Welcome to Wise Bodies

• Who has HIV?

• Living with HIV

• Progress and Advocacy

Objectives

Learners will use research and opinions to advocate for change in a government setting.

Key Concepts

• Advocacy – The act or process of taking actions to affect change in a cause you are invested in.

• Opinion – A view or judgment that may or may not be based on fact.

Teacher Tip

Have learners research dissenting, as well as conforming opinions and facts.

Assessment

Discussion Points

Advocacy and Protesting

Advocacy is seen as a peaceful process of bringing your views on an issue to an arena in order to discuss a way to create change. Protesting is more about taking direct action to achieve a goal. Today, we are asking you to be advocates, to express your views and to listen to others. Advocates for HIV/AIDS awareness come in many forms, whether they are medical professionals, members of government or even ordinary citizens. Community organizations, such as AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), help to advocate for services and education within a community.

What are some global issues that inspire you to become an advocate for change? How do you think you can effectively make your voice heard?

Why Does Testing Matter?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 20 million new cases of sexually transmitted infection, including HIV, are diagnosed each year, and the responsibility of finding out your status falls on you. Knowing whether you have HIV or not is critical to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Misconceptions about the need for testing can have deadly repercussions, especially with the spread of viruses like HIV. Find out important facts about testing from AHF at hivcare.org

Did You Know…

• 1 in 7 people who have HIV do not know it.

• More than 1 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in the United States.

• Anyone can contract HIV/AIDS. Age, gender and ethnicity are not factors.

• 76% of the people diagnosed with HIV receive care of which 65% had undetectable viral loads.

• Expressing viewpoints coherently and with facts.

• Questioning the opposition to help strengthen their viewpoint by clarifying misconceptions.

• Listening and respecting other viewpoints.

• How well their reflections show an understanding of testing centers and why they need to be advocated for, even in small towns.