About Talk to the Future
Talk to the Future is a new global multimedia magazine featuring in-depth, video 'public conversations' spotlighting pioneering individuals whose ideas, programs or visions represent a way forward on critical global problems we face today. The magazine will showcase innovation, successes in the field, and important or new concepts that deserve wider debate or application. The magazine has an initial thematic focus on global AIDS, but will cover cross-cutting topics in global public health and broader topical issues. The pilot issue debuts on August 1, to coincide with the upcoming AIDS2008 International AIDS Conference in Mexico City.
Content & Guests: Our pilot issue features a conversation with a very special guest: the visionary and outspoken Canadian leader Stephen Lewis, the former US Envoy on AIDS to Africa. He talks about what he learned on the job, what hasn't happened in AIDS but could, and what he's most excited about as he continues pushing global leaders to greater action on this great pandemic of our time.
Other guests include Lewis' colleague at AIDS-Free World, Paula Donovan, who is working with Lewis to push for a new UN Agency for Women - an ambitious vision. Both guests are strong voices for greater global advocacy around the issue of gender-based violence, and the link to HIV - the subject of our magazine field report, which looks at the crisis of war and rape in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in eastern Africa. Here, the story centers on the success of one project, Heal Africa, which works in Goma, across the border from Rwanda. Heal Africa represents a bright spot in the ongoing tragedy of war in the Congo - a model for others hoping to help survivors of wartime sexual violence. You can also view a clip from Lisa Jackson's new, award-winning film on the Congo, 'The Greatest Silence.'
Focus on Inspiration, Actions to Take: Talk to the Future is the brainchild of veteran journalist Anne-christine d'Adesky, who is producer and host. She is author of the 2006 book, "Moving Mountains: The Race to Treat Global AIDS" and co-producer of the companion documentary, "Pills, Profits, Protest: Chronicle of the Global AIDS Movement," aired on US Showtime. "My interest with Talk to the Future is to focus on what's really working, and to more deeply discuss, debate and showcase the people and programs and approaches that represent our best effort to fight global problems like AIDS," said d'Adesky. She has covered AIDS as a primary beat since the mid-1980s, and worn multiple hats during her career, including as a community AIDS activist, AIDS educator, and human rights advocate.
'Lo-Fi, Rough Guide' Approach to Serious Talk: D'Adesky describes the magazine as a combination "Lo-Fi, Rough Guide, Charlie Rose-meets- Anderson Cooper -- with an accent on social change and positive action." Adds d'Adesky: "We have brilliant people and concrete solutions that need to be shared more widely. People working in the AIDS field and other global problems are passionate about what they do and that passion and their journeys are exciting, at least to me. I want to show that. I want you to see what's working in Africa, or could. I think many people in the world, not just AIDS advocates, are hungry for this kind of information, for vision, for what we can do now, and what we haven't even thought to dream about. They're ready to be inspired."
Distribution & Features: Talk to the Future offers a free, direct-to- email web 2.0 magazine, combining text, audiovisual content, blogging, and will offer a mobile portal interface for cell phone access in the future. Viewers and readers can directly post comments, join the conversations, and learn how to get involved or take action on the magazine's website. The project is being designed with two Internet audiences in mind: those using slower, dial-up computers or cell phones, and those with higher-end, faster computers.
About Our Team:
Talk to the Future works with designers, editors and web architects. Our thanks for editor Tim Kent of Made Green Video, web developer Martin Kelley, and artist-graphic designer Julie Sutherland for their work on this issue.
Production & Editing: Made Green Video is the production team that provides editing and production services to Talk to the Future.
Visual artist Julie Sutherland provided graphic design for the magazine's home page and promotional materials.
Martin Kelley is a web developer based in Philadephia who provided the back-end development of our magazine.
A Non-Profit Program:
Talk to the Future is a not-for-profit project under the fiscal sponsorship of World Pulse Media, publisher of World Pulse Magazine and Pulsewire.net and received seed funding from the Elton John AIDS Foundation for the pilot. The magazine invites potential sponsors, organizations, educators, advertisers and broadcasters to support its programming with innovative messages, media and educational campaigns on selected topics.
