CHAPTER : 1 –

Editorial

by Fernand Vincent

This new issue of IRED FORUM has been published late and we ask you to please accept our apologies.  The main reason is because of changes that have occurred at the IRED.ORG secretariat in Geneva.

Eric ADJA, the director of our association, was forced to leave his job for lack of financial resources.  He continues to work with us on a volunteer basis.  All the network animation work is now in the hands of the volunteers:  Fernand Vincent is the coordinator of the network, Maria is the secretary and accountant, Ariane and Mathias handle the website and the partner contacts.  Other volunteers will soon be joining our small team.

 
We are now in a position to respond to the requests we receive.  We are currently busy transferring part of the network activities that used to be handled in Geneva to our Southern partners.

 
Our priorities, however, are the following:

 
·    IRED FORUM Online – a special issue on « a social and solidary economy » is available below

·    INFODOC, our very professional document data bank created by Mathias in which over 1500 documents (PDF or HTML) will be posted by the end of December (over 5000 pages)

A system using keywords will enable users searching for information on a specific development subject to access these documents or to find recommended links to other sites.

Dialog with our partners is very important as the interaction will enable us to accumulate quality documentation which is a true reflection of the realities and needs in the field.  This was the reason for IRED FORUM’s success and will also be the basis for the success of INFODOC at IRED.ORG.

A special issue titled «A social and solidary economy» will initiate a debate around the real motivations behind our actions for a better world.  Changes? Breaches? Resistance? Alternatives?  Which ones and how?

We await your replies at info@ired.org.

Thank you and talk to you soon.
10/31/2004