World Youth Day 4 All

International Coalition of Progressive Youth
to Attend Catholic World Youth Day in Cologne

COLOGNE, GERMANY—On the eve of the 20^th Catholic World Youth Day, concerned young people from around the globe will gather in Cologne to address the Vatican’s opposition to condom use to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.

World Youth Day 4 All (www.wyd4all.org) is an international youth coalition dedicated to promoting church reform, sexual and reproductive health and rights and youth activism. WYD4All will be in Cologne for the duration of Catholic World Youth Day (16-21 August) in support of these issues and of the Condoms4Life campaign, which raises public awareness about the devastating effect of the bishops’ ban on condoms. The Condoms4Life ad campaign and informational brochure can be found at www.condoms4life.org.

Dozens of youth between the ages of 18-30 from countries ranging from Ghana to Portugal to the United States to Bolivia will take part in Catholic World Youth Day to bring forward their message that the Vatican’s position on condoms directly affects their health and their lives. Throughout the week, WYD4All will educate other young people in Cologne about the worldwide AIDS pandemic, the tragic loss of life in their countries and the importance of advocating for the leaders of the church to change church policy.