University students and the national advocacy group Physicians for Human Rights will host a town hall meeting to discuss the global effects of AIDS at 2 p.m. today in the McNamara alumni center.

The event will feature Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., AIDS experts, health professionals, students and other community members to discuss how Minnesotans can respond to the AIDS crisis.

Stephanie Smith, a University medical student who helped organize the event, said it will work to galvanize a collaborative, Minnesota effort to alleviate the AIDS pandemic.

Fred de Sam Lazaro, a correspondent for PBS’ “The Lehrer News Hour,” will moderate the event.