Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - July 13, 2004
Anjira Assavanonda
But the event, unlike the grand opening of the 15th International Aids Conference on Sunday, didn't seem to get much attention from key leaders.
The Global Village's opening ceremony was initially set to be presided over by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan. However, neither turned up yesterday.
The organiser said Mr Annan had cancelled his appointment a week ago while Mrs Sudarat informed the organising committee only a day before the ceremony that she would send her deputy, Anuthin Charnveerakul, to represent her.
The ceremony was presided over by Lieve Fransen, the European Union representative, who pledged her support for community activities in the fight against HIV/Aids.
"The Global Village represents our dream of a world without Aids, a world with access for all," she said.
Cheikh Mbacke, vice president for the Rockefeller Foundation Regional Programs, said effective responses to HIV/Aids were mostly initiated by communities, with many starting off as only small-scale activities.
"Besides, I would like to remind you that this is the only part of the conference that is accessible to all. That's important," said Mr Mbacke. He hoped the idea of a Global Village will become a reality.
Global Village events included meetings and discussion forums, exhibitions, cultural performances, community markets and relaxation areas for participants to rest and talk about what they had learned.
A community radio programme was also provided to report on discussions and activities both within and outside the conference rooms as well as interviews with those people involved in HIV/Aids work.
Sureerat Treemanka, the Thai community's representative, said HIV/Aids could not be ignored, and the village was an open stage for everyone wanting to help fight the virus.
"The aim of the Global Village is to ensure that everyone opens their minds to understand HIV/Aids and each other, otherwise our societies will descend into crisis," she said.
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