The Role of Art as a Tool of Engagement and to Provide Insight into Child Health and Wellbeing

 For example, Picturing Hope is a global project, which uses photography to address the stigma and prejudices faced by people living with HIV and AIDS. Positive Lives is another project which uses photography to empower children and youth living with HIV and AIDS, allowing them to express themselves creatively. Both these projects highlight the importance of engaging children to address issues they face and that are being faced by their communities. Video has also been recognized as a crucial tool of engagement, employed by MTV during its 48fest Video contest,  hosted for the first time during the International AIDS Conference in Toronto. In the same vein, theater and puppetry for instance allow children and youth to express themselves and their ideas without the fear of stigma and discrimination that could arise from voicing the same ideas in classroom or community settings.

Art provides an engaging tool for children address their own health needs and wellbeing concerns. It is also a powerful tool for children to express themselves, including their needs, vulnerabilities and concerns. By participating in activities such as community mapping, and participatory-arts based reserach projects that engage children - whether using video, photography, theater or via other creative or artistic outlets - children can be challenged, motivated and incentivized to address their health and wellbeing concerns, as well as providing insights into the needs of their families and communities.