Meeting a Challenge with Ideas and Optimism

By James Kelly / Managing Editor

For three days last week, 350 experts and policymakers gathered in New York City to discuss the challenges for public health around the world--and why it is in the interest of Americans to care. The TIME Global Health Summit, whose participants included Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Kofi Annan, Madeleine Albright, Rick Warren, Ted Turner, Paul Wolfowitz of the World Bank and UNICEF's Ann Veneman, reflected what we try to do in the magazine, which is to cover stories that are shaping our future but don't always attract big, blaring headlines. Some of the disease fighters we profiled in last week's issue, "How to Save a Life," attended the meeting, and one person even made two appearances by satellite. Bono, the rock star of global health, addressed the gathering from Los Angeles, where he is touring with U2. "I feel like I'm missing Woodstock," he said. That evening, he performed a transcontinental duet with Alicia Keys, who headlined a benefit concert for Keep a Child Alive.

To read and see more about our conference, including a webcast of my joint interview with Bill Clinton and Bill Gates, please visit TIME.com

James Kelly, Managing Editor