Monday, February 22, 1999 Published at 18:40 GMT
Archive: Series Three
In its third series, Crossing Continents extended its reach and covered stories from across the world - including Japan's difficult adjustment to economic recession, the struggle of an idyllic island off Puerto Rico to eject US troops, and the enduring problem of child labour in Sicily.
Lebanon (17 December 1998)
Meriel Beattie reports on the continuing misery of the "security zone" in southern Lebanon, and the cultural renaissance going on in Beirut.
Sicily (10 December 1998)
Meriel Beattie reports from Palermo on a scandal of child labour: inside the EU, children as young as twelve are working full-time. Plus, a sideways look at the Mafia on film.
Eritrea (3 December 1998)
Julian Pettifer visits Africa's youngest nation, finds out how the country's women are fighting for their rights on the home front, and explores its little-known Italian heritage.
Siberia (26 November 1998)
Macedonia and Albania (19 November 1998)
Joanna Robertson reports from one of the most highly-strung regions of the Balkans: the former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia, and its porous border with Albania.
Puerto Rico (12 November 1998)
Meriel Beattie reports on Puerto Rico's ambivalent relationship with the United States - and why the US Navy is less than welcome.
Japan (5 November 1998)
Julian Pettifer reports on poverty in Osaka, the nation's schoolgirl princesses, and the community of Japanese Brazilians.