We're going to be hearing from one of our guest panelists next week at our seminar entitled 'Global Health & the Internet: How Can We Save More Lives?' about a program spurred by a request of Kofi Annan. Eno Isong of the Kaiser Family Foundation is going to share the story of the creation and continued success of a program she manages called Broadcast HIV Africa.

As the story goes, in 2004 Kofi Annan approached the Foundation with the thought that they should create a program to reach every single radio and television company (both private and public) and engage them to commit to promoting HIV prevention messages and programming on the air. The next year, Broadcast HIV Africa was formed--and it's been growing steadily ever since.

There are now 3 complementary web sites in the initiative: The first, Broadcast HIV Africa, disseminates critical messaging information as well as community knowledge and targets owners of these African-based TV and radio stations. Stations in over 30 African countries have already signed an agreement and committed 5% of their air time to promoting prevention of HIV/AIDS to their viewers, in all sorts of ways.

The fantastic story here is that the community of media professionals that has been created by this initiative has taken it to places nobody ever dreamed: They've created their very own African-based awareness campaign called 'It Begins With You' promoting a key message of responsibility.

And this fall, they have together launched an Africa-wide reality TV series called 'Imagine Afrika'. The show 'pits 12 outstanding young African achievers against one another to come up with solutions to some of the continent’s most pressing problems. Chosen through a continent-wide call for nominations resulting in more than 10,000 applications, the contestants have been chosen to represent the diversity of Africa and for their exceptional personal achievements and talents.'

The Imagine Afrika web site allows users to vote for characters, vote on issues, dialogue, post comments, and interact in other ways. In its first month, it sounds like it will grow significantly through this season and beyond.

I look forward to learning more about this program next Tuesday. I also welcome readers to join us if you like. More details at www.forumone.com/globalhealth.