Aims/Objectives

• Provide diverse opportunities for early career professionals to advance their knowledge, skills and experience in global adolescent health.

• Promote collaboration and build relationships between early career professionals and more experienced professionals and leaders in adolescent health.

Background The IAAH is a multidisciplinary, non-government organization with a broad focus on youth health (10-24 years). IAAH was established in 1987 and is committed to the principles of youth empowerment in all aspects of its affairs and supports the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). Our goal at present is to launch a Young Professionals Network.

Results The International Association for Adolescent Health (IAAH) Young Professionals Network (YPN) is a multidisciplinary community of students, trainees, early career professionals (including health care providers, researchers, public health practitioners, advocates, scientists, social workers, pharmacists) who are interested in improving the health of adolescents locally, nationally, and globally. The group provides a forum for members to share training opportunities in adolescent health and supports networking, mentorship, and leadership development for trainees and early career professionals. The YPN consists of the following committees:

• Leadership and Mentorship

• Education and Training

• Community Engagement

• Communications

Conclusion Promoting collaboration and supporting relationships between early career professionals is key within the adolescent healthcare field. Facilitating mentorship between the IAAH Young Professionals Network and IAAH Council fosters knowledge dissemination and leadership opportunities. The IAAH Young Professionals Network encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds, including, but not limited to: students, trainees, early career professionals (including health care providers, researchers, public health practitioners, advocates, scientists, social workers, pharmacists, nutritionists, health allies) who have a strong interest and/or experience in the adolescent health field. To the best of the authors knowledge, the IAAH-YPN network is the first global, inter- disciplinary global adolescent health initiative of its kind.