The second anniversary of the International Day of Indigenous People was celebrated on August 9 this year. In his address, the UN secretary general Boutros-Boutros Ghali stressed the need for increasing support to the world's indigenous community and rightfully redress its grievances. "It is right that we recognise injustice and discrimination, but in itself this will do little to ensure that indigenous peoples take their rightful place as full participants in the community of nations. This will require a conscious shift in national and international priorities." Ghali added that environmental destruction of their habitats further compounded their problems.

Harare, Zimbabwe, will play host to the World Solar Programme 1996-2005, a UNESCO-initiated campaign to promote research and development in the field of renewable energy from September 16-17.Delegates from more than 100 countries are expected to deliberate on affordable and clean ways to light up the lives of an estimated 2.4 billion people who go without electricity in the world.