There is increasing attention being paid to AIDS monitoring and evaluation programs -- with a good recent step being the publication of the "Monitoring and Evaluation Toolkit" from leading donors. Most attention is paid to a unified m&e framework, consistent metrics, and initial studies to guage long-term success.

Planning efforts, however, appear to overlook one thing: the most important funding decisions concerning AIDS will be made in the next 24 months. Whether funding will continue to increase or level off is a near-term issue. The comprehensive data from m&e programs for the most part won't be ready, particularly concerning "outcomes" (outputs is easier: grants made, funds dispersed etc.).

How can we portray positive outcomes to government donors before good data are back (which might take years)? One important piece is through stories, sending journalists and photographers to capture, even if anecdotally, the impact of AIDS programs. The Global Fund does a pretty good job at this (their "Global Fund at 30 Months" report, for example), but certainly more can be done, including in a coordinated way among donors.