This International Dateline episode includes three segments: UN 2005 World Summit, John Howard Interview, The Two Worlds of Sir Michael Somare, and The Race Is On.
UN 2005 World Summit
This special Dateline was recorded at the United Nations Headquarters in downtown Manhattan where the largest gathering of world leaders in history came together September 14th. 175 world leaders came to participate in the Millennium Summit for what is arguably the most critical General Assembly in the United Nations' 60 years of existence. Many observers believe that the 2005 World Summit will determine the future of the UN, with Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General, to present his long-awaited master plan to transform the widely-critized world body.
In an era in which half the world lives in abject poverty, racism, global warming, religious rivalry, terrorism and the war against it, how and who will be in charge of determing the future of the world and its 6 billion inhabitants?
John Howard Interview
In recent times the UN has been under heavy fire. The Iraq "Oil-for-Food" scandal brought allegations of fraud and mismanagement; damaging the world body's already questionable reputation. George Bush's choice to appoint John Bolton as the United States Ambassador to the UN - a man who actually believes the world would be better off without the UN - has only caused further scandal. Dateline's George Negus spoke with Australian Prime Minister John Howard about the UN and Millennium Summit.
The Two Worlds of Sir Michael Somare
In a rare opportunity, Dateline's Mark Davis spent a week with Sir Michael Somare to mark 30 years of Papua New Guinea's independence. In a moving profile of the man who wrestled his country away from Australian colonial rule to become its first Prime Minister, Somare is resolute -– independence before all else. 30 years of self-rule may not have delivered on the high hopes of the 70's but Somare is a proud leader who cultivates the rich cultural heritage of village life while operating in a modern global economy.
Often dubious of the Australian media, Somare has allowed Mark private access to his village near the Sepik River on the condition that certain parts of the interview are aired, including his firm message to the Australian government that he will preserve Papua New Guinea's independence even if that means forgoing Australia's aid.
The Race Is On
Is New Zealand's Treaty of Waitangi, the foundation stone of racial accord and harmony, under threat? It all depends on who wins the national election. Current Prime Minister, Helen Clark, looked set to win a comfortable third term until National Party Leader Don Brash raised the stakes by introducing the race card. Dateline's Sophie McNeill takes a look at the most dominant issue influencing the election: the issue of Maori rights. If elected, Don Brash plans to roll back the gains Maori have made under the treaty. The irony is that Maori voters are abandoning the Labor party in favor of the new and vocal Maori Party and this could lead to victory for Don Brash, and possibly, for long term civil unrest.
About International Dateline
SBS Dateline, which began in 1984, is Australia's longest-running international current affairs program. It has a well-earned reputation for authoritative and incisive reporting. Dateline has taken the traditional way of producing TV current affairs and turned it on its head. Reporters who used to travel with a cameraperson and sound recordist now travel alone and have the responsibility of both filming and reporting their stories. The reporters became video-journalists, gaining access to people and places that the conventional camera crews cannot.
Cancel Response
Post Response