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	Focus Today, many minority languages are struggling harder than ever to survive. They are the cornerstone of cultures whose fate depends on the outcome of this struggle. This Focus section looks at the confrontation between dominant and dominated languages. It also presents initiatives to promote the coexistence of languages as a guarantee of cultural diversity and dialogue between peoples.
	Djenné, now and forever Each year the people of the Malian town of Djenné put a new coating of adobe on their great earthen mosque. A festival held to celebrate the occasion starts at dawn, at the end of Ramadan. Photos by Christien Jaspars; text by Albakaye Ousmane Kounta. Christien Jaspars, of the Netherlands, is an Amsterdam-based photographer. Albakaye Ousmane Kounta is a Malian writer, poet and story-teller whose publications include Un complot de chèvres (Jamana publishers, Mali, and Beauchemin, Canada, 1998), Les sans repères (Balanzan publishers, Mali, 1997) and Sanglots et dédains (Jamana publishers, 1995). To find out more: www.promali.org/kounta
	Cultural cloning or hybrid cultures? This text has been extracted from the contribution of Eduardo Poretella to a series of “21st-century Talks” held at UNESCO’s Paris Headquarters in November 1999. Eduardo Portella, Brazilian philosopher, author and literary critic, was formerly his country’s Minister of Education and Culture and has served as Deputy Director General of UNESCO.
	Large dams–the end of an era? Growing debate about the rights and wrongs of large-scale dam construction focuses on the very meaning of development Peter Coles, british journalist specializing in scientific and environmental issues.
	A barrage of protest The tide may be turning against the giant Narmada dam project in India Peter Coles, british journalist specializing in scientific and environmental issues, and Lyla Bavadam, Bombay correspondent of the Indian bi-monthly Frontline.
	USA: TV commercials in the classroom Channel One has survived a decade of criticism over a daily TV show for schools in the U.S., where advertisers are ready to pay premium rates to reach youthful audiences Mark Walsh, associate editor, Education Week (USA).
	DNA in the dock Genetic fingerprinting provides virtually flawless proof and is helping to identify criminals and free people jailed for crimes they did not commit. But does it violate basic human rights? Martine Jacot, UNESCO Courier journalist.
	African museums's on a meet-the-people mission Plagued by low visitor attendance, African museums are breaking out of their rigid colonial moulds and courting local communities Cynthia Guttman, UNESCO Courier journalist.
	Students boost a museum's workforce In Namibia, high schools have become key actors in documenting scientific collections Zoe Titus, journalist with The Namibian.
	Media self-control, the south'new option As part of a growing trend in the developing world, press councils are encouraging responsible journalism and press freedom Jean Huteau, former editor-in-chief of the French news agency Agence France-Presse and co-author, with Henri Pigeat, of a book on media ethics to be published by UNESCO later this year.
	Enki Bilal : a journey to the end of time In comics, books and movies, a Yugoslav-born French artist visits the future to put the past in perspective and wields humour as a weapon against horror Interview by Jasmina Sopova, UNESCO Courier journalist.