Dear member of the 21st century society The quality of our common future largely depends on our ability to produce the knowledge needed to solve the complex challenges of our societies. However, a crucial question confronts us: What kind of knowledge will that be? Real-world problems cut across existing disciplines. Transdisciplinarity offers the prospect of generating the relevant knowledge and new modes of problem solving. Transdisciplinarity starts from real-world problems and draws knowledge from inside and outside academia by new means of mutual learning. The value of transdiscipli-narity lies not only in its potential for sustainable solutions, but also in its ability to identify problems at an early stage. Universities and basic research play an important role in this process. However, in a global society they are just one knowledge pro- duceramongst others. The International Transdisciplinarity Conference will be an important step on the way to achieving better and quicker solutions at lower costs. The conference will provide a forum for an extensive reflection on the “state of the art” of transdiscipli- narity, including case studies of successes as well as difficulties. The sessions of the conference will focus on the following questions: Developing transdisciplinary practice What are the advantages of a joint knowledge production of academia and society compared to discipline-oriented science? What are the prerequisites for mutual learning? Promoting transdisciplinary research How can science participate in the identification and solution of social problems? What organizational structures must science and technology adopt in order to con- tribut ein an effective and efficient way to the needs of society? Creating favourable institutional structures and powerful incentives What institutional frameworks, management structures, incentives and modes of evaluation are needed to underpin successful transdisciplinary research? The conference offers an unique chance to participate in a fundamental debate on the future of science and to meet scientists with extensive and varied experience in transdisciplinary research. The conference will emphasize active participation through dialogue, collaboration and mutual learning. I invite you to register for the International Transdisciplinarity Conference and I am looking forward to meeting you in Zurich, in February 2000! With the compliments of the Conference Board Dr. Rudolf Häberli Chair of the Conference