Guest Authors: Jo-Ann Caberoy (Philippines) and William Muthama (Kenya), INSPIRE Youth Co-creation Open Call Finalists

Too often, sexual health interventions are designed for communities rather than with them. Both finalists agreed that the workshop challenged this traditional model by positioning youth and people with lived experiences as active co-creators.

One finalist explained, “Communities, including youth, co-define what matters. Lived experiences are treated as expertise. Solutions are developed and owned together. It’s not just engagement—it’s power-sharing.” For them, co-creation represented more than participation, it was about genuine collaboration and equitable partnerships that give young people the opportunity to lead.

The workshop unfolded in three parts: opening presentations and panel discussions, hands-on co-creation activities, and finally, refining the draft TDR/UNICEF practical guide on youth co-creation in health research. This design ensured that participants were not passive listeners but active contributors throughout.

For one finalist, authenticity stood out as a central value, “Personal stories and lived experiences enriched every conversation. Asking the right questions fostered genuine participation, not just token engagement.”

Another finalist noted how the Congress as a whole was a turning point in how young people are seen, “It was inspiring to see young people recognized not just as vulnerable groups, but as innovators and active partners in health solutions. The workshop showed that co-creation can and should be integrated even into traditionally hierarchical fields like HIV programming.” These reflections underline how co-creation is not just a method but a mindset shift, one that insists on valuing diverse voices and creating equitable space for dialogue.

Both finalists emphasized the transformative role of storytelling. One, who founded Youth Pulse in Kenya, shared how the co-creation approach deepened their belief in the power of stories to shift narratives, “In my work as a journalist, I’ve always believed in the power of storytelling, not just to inform, but to spark change. At Youth Pulse, storytelling is no longer a one-sided report—it’s a collaborative tool, letting young people shape their own stories.” This message resonated across the workshop, where stories from different cultural and professional backgrounds highlighted a shared question: How do we build solutions that truly reflect the people they’re meant to serve?

For both finalists, Montreal was not an endpoint but a beginning. One finalist left motivated to expand co-creation beyond mental health to sexual and reproductive health, youth civic engagement, and media production. “They say youth are the future, but co-creation taught me we are already the present. If given the space, tools, and respect, we don’t just contribute, we lead the way.”

The other finalist called the workshop “more than just a workshop—it’s a movement,” emphasizing the need to continue building participatory approaches in health research and advocacy. “We look forward to the outcomes of our sessions, which will contribute to enhancing community engagement and co-creating inclusive STI campaigns led by young people.”

Taken together, these reflections underline a powerful truth: co-creation transforms the way health challenges are addressed by valuing lived experiences, fostering authentic collaboration, and amplifying youth leadership. The STI & HIV World Congress 2025 Co-creation workshop was not just a space for dialogue, it was proof that when young people are given the opportunity to co-create, they bring innovation, resilience, and solutions that can reshape the future of global health.