BBC Africa Live asks: Is a national conference the best way to improve the political situation in your country?

In fashioning this year's meeting, Canadian PM Chretien hopes to turn attention away from protesters to the efforts of world leaders.

After touting free trade as a means to spread prosperity, George W Bush's recent trade tariffs have some scratching their heads.

World leaders gather to discuss poverty reduction strategies amid a global economic downturn and with memories of 11 September still fresh.

The first series of BBC Choice's football show 45 minutes comes to an end with a seasonal selection box looking back at the best of the series.

Non-governmental organisations from more than 100 nations have opened a conference in South Korea to discuss strategies in such areas as human rights, hunger, refugees and land-mines.

Reports from Somalia say an agreement reached by faction leaders on the form of a future government has been warmly welcomed.