The Institute of Development Studies was set up in 1966 as the result of an initiative by the Minister of Overseas Development. From an initial establishment of two staff members and three offices it has grown to a present establishment of forty-nine packed into temporary premises at Stanmer House.

Its academic staff includes sociologists, economists,, agricultural economists and, political scientists as well as students of public administration and international relations. The range of our present activities can be judged from what follows: the point of these activities is to enhance the study of international deprivation, to provide some light for those concerned with the reduction of poverty and disease. So far our means have been individual research, research projects, courses conferences and study seminars.

With the publication of this Bulletin, we hope to establish contact with others involved in the same problems. By "conflict" we mean both the communication of our own work and ideas and an invitation to dialogue with all engaged in the study and promotion of development.

The layout and content of the Bulletin reflects this concern. Each quarter's issue will contain four sections. The. first section will consist of an account of a major IDS in the second issue the work of the research group on training in public administration will be described, while the subsequent issue will include a report of Professor Joy's study of farming development in India.

The second section will comprise a discussion of a major problem in development: in this issue, for example, David Wall discusses proposals for a general preference system as they stand after the second UNCTAD conferences in later issues we hope to deal with such topics as population planning and the integration of educational and manpower planning.