Net Aid concerts aim to end poverty

Wednesday, 28-Apr-99 07:26:38

Harvey Goldsmith, the promoter behind Live Aid, yesterday announced plans for what he hopes will be the biggest charity concert in history.

The global, three-venue concert will take place in October, with the aim of raising money to eradicate world poverty. Net Aid, which will be broadcast live on the internet as well as on television, hopes to better the £120m raised by Bob Geldof 14 years ago.

Sting, Celine Dion and Lauryn Hill have already been asked to perform free at the concerts, which will be staged simultaneously in London, New York and Geneva. U2 may also play.

Michael Jackson, REM, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney and Luciano Pavarotti are also on the wish list for Wembley and the Giants stadium, New York. The third venue is Geneva's opera house. The full line-up will be announced in June.

The organisers hope to beat the Live Aid total by encouraging the public to contribute directly to the United Nations Development Programme on the internet.

A spokesman said another purpose of the event, on October 9, was to pressure western governments into writing off debt.

Mr Goldsmith said: 'The end of the millennium is the right time for a huge event to highlight the question of how extreme poverty can be eradicated.'

UNDP helps people in 174 countries to help themselves, focusing on eliminating poverty, environmental regeneration, job creation and the advancement of women.

From The Guardian, By Fiachra Gibbons, Arts Correspondent, Wednesday April 28, 1999