A message for the 20000 participants to the Vienna Conference (Version FR le 22/7)

[Jean-Louis Lamboray]

On my way to meet communities of the Sikasso region in Mali, here is what I would love to convey to the participants of the Vienna Conference.

"Experience tells us this:

Every community has the capacity to respond to AIDS.

To reveal and nurture that capacity, we must

change our outlook on people.

We are used to focus on the needs and constraints of people and communities; let us focus on their strengths and on the opportunities they can exploit.

We are used to see people as the targets of our actions; let us see them as the key actors of their own change

We are used to look up to the knowledge of scientists for policy change; let us learn from the wisdom of communities that are responding to the challenge.

We are used to teach and preach; let us now listen and appreciate.

We are used to sell HIV and AIDS to donors; let us celebrate what people do with their own resources".

JL

[Kalana]

I've asked all our offices to take a printout of your message and paste it on the walls (in fact, I pasted it in front of my own desk), so that we get reminded of OUR job every morning as we enter our offices.

[Jean-Louis Lamboray]

From Bamako: many thanks to all of you who gave me feedback!

[wiwin winarni]

Dear Opa JL;

I printed your message. I will keep it for remaining me along the way I work. I will also share this with provicial aids commision members, I will visit them tomorrow. Thanks for your wonderfull messages :)

Best

Wiwin

[Laurence Gilliot]

Thanks Jean-Louis for your message. I trust that our four ambassadors (Prince, Dusit, Stephen and John-Pierre) will convey your message, which is our shared vision, to new friends in Vienna.

I would like to add that we can all start with ourself instead of doing for others. Starting from our own community, from our own life, from our own strengths. Being able to let go of control because we believe in our own capacity to stimulate people.

Laurence

[ABEDNEGO KITHEKA MUTUNGWA]

Dear JL
This should is what should conceived organizations and and big bodies in the world

there are breaking news from Vienna conference from scientific view, but the solutions lies in the peoples strengths to act and take their own issues facing them ,and find solution that are people, communities driven

Thanks for this ,for those who practice SALT we know the power of it .

[rebeka sultana]

Dear JL,

Just now I made a small index card with your message, to put it in my desk and to remind me always in all-ways. Enjoy Sikasso community meeting!

Regards,
Rebeka ..