by Barbara Huberman, Director, Education and Outreach

Every year, Advocates for Youth sponsors National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month (NTPPM). Observed each May by states and communities throughout the country, NTPPM seeks to involve communities in promoting and supporting effective teen pregnancy prevention initiatives. Councils and other pregnancy prevention organizations continue to initiate new and innovative ideas that work to dismantle structural barriers and help young people make informed decisions about their health.

From  the work EyesOpenIowa  is doing with their cutting edge ‘Txt’ program for teens in Iowa, to events held by organizations around the United States,  it is clear that the momentum behind  NTPPM is growing. Throughout the month we hope you continue to share your NTPPM activities with us.

We also invite you to check out our recently updated National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month (NTPPM) Planning Guidebook on our NTPPM page.

by Mimi Melles, Program Manager, International Youth Activist Network

In June 2012, world leaders will be gathering for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (also known as the Rio+20 Summit) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to shape how the world should reduce poverty, advance social equity, and protect the environment.

Protecting young people's sexual health and rights can help us reach all of those goals — but will decision makers listen to the facts?

The time is now…for you to act NOW to sign our petition calling on leaders at Rio+20 to make young people's sexual health and rights a part of the conversation.