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Last Updated: Wednesday, 1 June, 2005, 06:01 GMT 07:01 UK

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Can Live 8 make a difference?

Midge Ure and Bob Geldof at the launch of Live 8

Can they really solve Africa's problems? Tell us what you think

Twenty years after Live Aid, Bob Geldof and Midge Ure are at it again.

They've announced a day of massive concerts to try to highlight the problems of poverty and starvation in Africa.

The difference this time is that this time - instead of raising money - they're hoping to put pressure on the world's richest leaders at the G8 summit.

But, can the new Live 8 concerts really make a difference to a continent where things don't seem to have got any better in the past two decades?

We debated the issues with Steve Tibbett, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Actionaid and Kendra Olonski, from the right wing think tank, the International Policy Network.

watch Breakfast's Africa debate

What you told Breakfast

Africa's problems are entirely due to mismanagement and corruption. Bailing them out (again) is what they have come to expect.

Lorraine Landon, Surrey

The evil of the yearly holocaust in Africa has gone on too long. Good luck to Live 8

Brian Jones

Read more viewers' comments on our Your Say page

We talked to one of those involved in the Live 8 project - the writer Richard Curtis - whose credits include Notting Hill and Love Actually

watch our interview with Richard Curtis

All-star line-up

The free Live 8 will be held in London's Hyde Park on 2 July with concerts in Philadelphia, Paris, Rome and Berlin.

Madonna and Sir Paul McCartney are among stars playing in London while Stevie Wonder is on the US line-up.

A text message lottery is being held on 6 June to determine who will gain tickets to the UK concert.

Listeners to breakfast shows on BBC and commercial radio stations will be asked to send a text message at 0800 BST containing the answer to a multiple choice question. The winners will get two tickets to the show.

It will also be shown on big screens in seven cities across the UK, and shown live on BBC TV and radio.

Can Live 8 make a real difference? You can use this form to e-mail your views to Breakfast: