The electronic forum space for this TIAS meeting has been generously donated by Prof. Ann Dale, Dr. Chris Ling and Dr. Lenore Newman of Royal Roads University in Canada. This very innovative electronic forum platform (http://www.crcresearch.org/) launched by Prof. Dale and her colleagues has as its central goal the development of ‘civic literacy and useful knowledge for integrated decision-making around critical public policy issues, particularly, sustainable community development’. The TIAS executive committee is pleased to be provided with the space and resources for our activities on this site. A special thanks to Dr. Chris Ling for his time and patience in setting up the forum for us.