As part of the first phase of the project, about 50 open-ended interviews, were carried out, designed to produce a clear understanding of the underlying issues, views and perspectives that different individuals identify about the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa and its development over the next 20 years. The interviews were conducted with some but not all of the workshop participants and a selection of some 20 divergent thinkers outside the group of workshop participants.

An individual, rather than an institutional, perspective was sought with the emphasis on collecting perceptions, concerns and opinions based on personal experiences, rather than seeking an intellectual analysis of the issues. The individual views were synthesized to frame the discussion at the first of three workshops-the Orientation Workshop.

Following the Orientation and Scenario-Building Workshops, the project carried out several more interviews geared towards more detailed analysis in specific areas.

Below are a selection of the interviews the team has conducted.