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Water and sanitation – Brazil still faces the challenge to provide water and sewage services to the entire population. Official data from 1999 showed that about 60 per cent of the residential houses are not covered by sewerage, and about 20 per cent were not supplied with running potable water. According to the World Health Organization for each R$ 1 not invested in water and sanitation in Brazil there is an expense of R$ 5 in health care. Still thousands of Brazilians get diseases and die because of water shortage and lack of wastewater treatment.
The negative impacts of these problems on the environmental quality of many of Brazil’s urban river basins are clear, putting at risk the ecosystem and the future supply of safe water, and also impacting on the health of the population exposed to the pollution.

Immigration – With its extremely large territory Brazil has attracted in different period of time lots of immigrants from Europe and Asia promising them land and other facilities that have not been offered them after their arrival. Once in the country Europeans and Asians have had great difficulties, such as distinct agricultural techniques, bad housing conditions, and non-fulfillment of the clauses of the contracts signed with the local farmers.
To escape from war in the homeland, a Polish family was faced with challenges in order to have all members of the family reunited in Brazil, willing to start a new life. Despite the obstacles they have managed to adapt to and succeed in Brazil.

Plastic arts – The young Brazilian artists’ participation in important art exhibition galleries abroad has helped the national contemporary art expand its horizon. In spite of facing difficulties the young talented artists see much prospects in the art market raised by the interest of new collectors and ways which make easier the acquisition of works of art.
Living in a small town, close to the city of Sao Paulo, a self-taught sculptor, unknown until recently, exhibits her works and shows that, besides the talent, it is necessary to be courageous to live on art.

Foreign trade – Brazil has been standing out in the World Trade Organization since a national aircraft company got involved in a dispute with a Canadian aircraft manufacturer. This dispute is being referred to by international analysts as an example of conflict between an emergent country, Brazil, and an industrial power, Canada. And the Brazilian government resolution of breaking the HIV drugs patent, in order to cut price and expand the program of fighting the disease, has reinforced the country image internationally, today seen as a global player.

Alcantara Spaceport – The decision of Brazilian government of letting to the United States of America the Alcantara Launching Centre, located on the coast of the northern state of Maranhao, is raising polemic. Centenary communities, descendants of Indigenous and slaves, live in the area and refuse to leave it. In spite of what is said officially that the families will be compensated financially and the rent will be a source of income, the "Brazil-USA Agreement on the Alcantara Spaceport Technology Safeguards" is being contested, both by the local population and by the opposition politicians, as it poses a grave threat to the sovereignty of the country.

World Heritage Site – The town of Goias Velho, old capital of the state of Goias, will be declared a World Heritage Site by the end of 2001. Founded in the 18th century by explorers from Sao Paulo, the place, called Santana at that time, has many old colonial houses, reflecting the Brazilian colonial style, and it is the location for the "procissao do fogareu", a religious event which is known all over the country.