The XV International AIDS Conference for the first time will feature a full program focusing on leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The Leadership Program will bring global attention to the role and contribution of leaders from around the world. "Meet the Leaders" is a special series of open-house forums scheduled to gather world leaders from national and local governments, industry, science, entertainment and media to answer specific questions about the current state of the fight against HIV/AIDS and the tangible changes leadership can make. The public can submit questions on the fight against HIV/AIDS for the Meet the Leaders sessions to leadership@aidsthai2004.org. Each question will be read and considered for use in the Meet the Leaders sessions during the conference. Some of the leaders scheduled to attend the sessions include:

• Graca Machel, Leadership Program patron;
  
• HRH Rattana-Devi Norodom, chief of Cambodia's International Relations Department;
  
• Richard Gere, Founder of the Gere Foundation;
  
• Zackie Achmat, chair of the South African group Treatment Action Campaign;
  
• Dr. Alongkot Dikkapanya of the Wat Phra Baht Nam Phu Dramaraksananivesana Project in Thailand;
  
• Anthony Fauci, director of the NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases;
  
• Kate Thompson, founder of International Community of Women with HIV/AIDS;
  
• Hank McKinnell, chair of the board and CEO of Pfizer Pharmaceutical Group (IAC release, 6/25).