It's a Small World After All

I've not left New York yet, but already I've met all kinds of people willing to share their expertise to assist me in my assignment at Thai AIDS Treatment Action Group (TTAG). Everyone from casual acquaintances to people who I've known for many years have recommended people to contact. I am amazed at how many people have a connection to people who have lived or worked in Thailand or Southeast Asia. This week, an e-mail from a local harm reduction expert linked me to a man in Australia who has spent years setting up programs in Asia. A chance encounter with a friend at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement last spring has reaped wonderful connections to the AIDS Institute here in New York, and to resources to share with those overseas. (to say nothing of great restaurant recommendations!!) A leadership development training program for PLWHA I was researching at TTAG's request circled me back to people I've known for many years.

There are many things striking about this experience. The world is infinitely smaller, yes, but there's a certain irony that it's taken a volunteer assignment in Thailand for me to discover the resources in my professional network here in New York. A reflection of how busy we've all become? Or how comparmentalized? I've been out of HIV prevention work for nearly fifteen years, and while I've been lucky to have broad networks, they've been outside of the world of HIV prevention. That it's taken new relationships with people on the other side of the world to re-connect these ties is also, however, a reflection of the global ties that now exist to disseminate knowledge, and how powerful they have become. It's clear already that my experience in Thailand will build as many new relationships here at home, as it will overseas. Now that's a small world!!