| This issue of Global Eye marks the end of one millennium and the beginning of a new one. It looks at one of the most difficult human problems of our times, that of refugees. Today, over 22 million people can be classified as refugees, displaced persons or returnees and the problem seems to be growing, not diminishing. We look at the areas in the world where the problem is greatest at present; at some of the organisations who are trying to help and at two countries where the situation at last seems to be improving. Eye on Guyana takes a detailed look at this small South American country, especially the innovative Iwokrama Rainforest Project - a 'living laboratory' looking at the important concept of sustainable development in one of the world's most important biomes. The Development Awareness feature concentrates on one particular school which has sent cameras around the world with different students, and what the photographs they have taken help tell us about developing countries. Two important events took place in October 1999 - the arrival in Sarajevo of the world's 6 billionth person and the Netaid concerts to help raise money for (and awareness of) development issues via the Internet.
One of the most powerful web sites in the world, www.netaid.org was launched in September 1999 when US President Bill Clinton, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former South African President Nelson Mandela all logged on to the site. The site was jointly developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Cisco Systems. It aims to generate one billion 'hits' on the site, and as a result, donations of money, expertise and time to help the billion people living in poverty. Three overlapping concerts were held on October 9th at Wembley Stadium (London), Giants Stadium (New York) and the Palais des Nations (Geneva). Participants included David Bowie, Bon Jovi, Jimmy Page, Puff Daddy, Bush, Catatonia, George Michael, Robbie Wiliams, Des'ree and Bono. These concerts, plus TV and radio coverage helped the site record over 40 million hits from 160 countries by October 16th. Over 2000 NGO's have registered with the site. To start with, Netaid is concentrating its efforts of five main areas:
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