by Debra Hauser, Advocates for Youth; Monica Rodriguez, Sexuality Information & Education Council of the US (SIECUS);  Elizabeth Schroeder; and Danene Sorace

We have been around long enough to expect politics as usual in Washington, D.C. The backroom deals and secrecy should not surprise us.  The jettisoning of young people and their sexual health for political expediency is not new.  But, this blatant hypocrisy needs to stop.  This latest example is just too much.

Sometime this month an updated list of “evidence-based” teen pregnancy prevention programs was endorsed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and posted to the website of the Office of Adolescent Health (OAH). No notice, not even a press release to announce the addition of three programs to the coveted list of 28 deemed effective and carrying the HHS seal of approval.

Until now, this list was the holy grail of the Administration’s commitment to a science-based approach to teen pregnancy prevention and a directive for grantees of the President’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative (TPPI).

So why the secrecy about the new additions? What does the Administration have to hide?

Perhaps the Administration realized that the inclusion of Heritage Keepers Abstinence Education on this select list would call into question its commitment to young people and their sexual health.  Once again they have succumbed to the political pressure of social conservatives and allowed the ideology of the right to prevail over the health and well-being of the nation’s youth.  The Obama Administration’s endorsement of this abstinence-only-until marriage program runs in direct contradiction to its stated commitment to the health and well-being of young people and, quite possibly, its promise to uphold science and evidence.

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.

Are you a young person (14-24 years old) who is…

• Passionate about fighting for young people's rights to sexual health information and services?
• Interested in connecting with youth leaders from across the country?
• Dedicated to developing skills to make a difference in your community?

Consider applying for one of Advocates for Youth's programs! See all of the available opportunities (after the jump). 

If selected, you will have opportunities to: develop new organizing and leadership skills; become informed on sexual and reproductive health issues; connect with passionate young people from across the country; and have a lasting impact on your communities. You will also join more than 100 youth activists in Washington, DC for an intense four-day activist training institute free of charge!

• Increasing HIV testing on your campus
• Providing confidential support and resources to young people who are worried about coming out
• Working with college administrators to make condom distribution more widely available on your campus
• Mobilizing your peers around international family planning issues
• Working to destigmatize abortion and ensure youth access to affordable birth control

If this sounds like something you want to be a part of, check out the program descriptions  and apply today! Application deadlines are coming up fast.