Will the yearning for authenticity save Europeans from the degradation of their culture and its drifting towards unfreedom ? Will consumerism replace citizenship ? Burning questions are put to us by the Irish MP and former Minister of Culture Michael D. Higgins.

In this issue are also presented a most impressive civic movement for peace in the city, called Viva Rio, which is headed by Rubem C. Fernandes.

World religions speak with the World Bank on the issue of poverty. We quote for you a thought-provoking contribution to an unusual dialogue on the meaning of people-centred “development” strategies and on the multi-dimensional nature of poverty.