PBS to Air Documentary Film Profiling U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan

PBS stations nationwide tonight will begin airing a documentary film, "Kofi Anann: Center of the Storm," profiling the life and work of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan (PBS release, 1/7). In Annan's most recent statement on HIV/AIDS, he wrote in a New York Times opinion piece that in order to "save Africa from two catastrophes" -- the HIV/AIDS epidemic and famine -- "we would do well to focus on saving Africa's women," (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 1/2). The 90-minute program follows Annan to Afghanistan to encourage reconstruction efforts, to Norway to accept the Nobel Prize, to East Timor to declare its independence and to the children's television series "Sesame Street" to teach conflict resolution. The program's Web site includes Annan's life map, an interactive guide to the United Nations' structure and a timeline of the organization's history and a question and answer session with filmmaker David Grubin. Check local PBS listings for show times (PBS release, 1/7). A video excerpt of Annan's appearance on "Sesame Street" is available online in RealPlayer.