Re: Global AIDS Alliance---Partner

[Guest guest]

I want to start my comments on the basis that everyone on this email list shares serious concern about the AIDS pandemic and comprehends the severity of this problem. So to me the debate is only around what approches are effective.

My concerns about GAA, which I have voiced to , is that the approach is rushed, and unrealistic. I think we have to be cognizant of the fact that there is not a large grass roots constituency on this issue that just needs mobilizing. A constituency needs to be built. If you start out too big and fail, GAA will have no credibility and will only harm other organizing efforts around the same issue.

I sincerely hope heed will be paid to the voices of experienced organizers who are saying that these time lines along with the scope of these plans are not realistic.

For example, in looking over the timelines, there are actions included for March such as Celebrity Tour of Africa and CNN coverage of celebrity involvement. Having led 8 high profile delegations to South Africa over the last 7 years, all I can say is this is an impossible goal. A plan for an artists tour of africa would take at least 6-9 months to plan and pull off in any substantive way.

Sharon Gelman

Executive Director

Artists for a New South Africa