This electronic forum is intended to serve as a space in which to discuss freely new ideas for technical cooperation products in the various areas of specialization of the Department as well as lessons learned from on-going and completed activities.

The e-forum has been created in response to the recommendations emerging from the DESA retreat on technical cooperation as well as subsequent TC Directors' meetings regarding the need for a website/chat room to post and discuss new technical cooperation ideas and products as well as the outcomes of on-going and completed activities.

The e-forum consists of a series of electronic bulletin boards (e-conferences) on various subjects where DESA is currently active in technical cooperation. New areas can be added as they emerge from the discussions in the e-forum itself or in the TC Directors' meetings. The e-forum currently includes, as participants, managers, staff and advisers of DESA who are directly involved in technical cooperation. It is understood that views and opinions posted on the website are those of the authors and not necessarily those of their Divisions, the Department or the United Nations.

Please contact the moderator of the e-forum, Nikhil Chandavarkar, at chandavarkar@un.org, for specific queries regarding the e-forum or the specific e-conferences.

I encourage you to make active use of the e-forum, which will prove of mutual benefit to all participants.