The exclusion of large parts of the world's population from many of the benefits of science and technology is a critical issue in international affairs. We are therefore pleased to announce our support for a new independent website, SciDev.Net, launched this week, which will provide a forum for authoritative news, information and comment about how science and technology can help meet the needs of developing nations. Although the site has been in gestation for more than a year, its appearance now could hardly be more timely. The range of potential topics to be addressed is broad, from global warming to genetically modified crops. The spirit is one of dialogue: it is as important to transmit perspectives held in the developing world as it is to convey those of 'the North'.

We have been closely involved in the incubation of SciDev.Net and (together with the journal Science) will be providing free access each week to selected articles from our pages. Support and guidance is being given by the Third World Academy of Sciences, and funding generously provided by the UK Department for International Development, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and the International Development Research Centre in Canada.

We hope that the information and perspectives offered by SciDev.Net will both strengthen the hands of policy-makers and empower individuals and communities, leading to sounder decision-making at all levels of society. By doing so, the website aims to help bridge the gap between the 'haves' and 'have-nots' in science and technology in development. We invite you to show your support by visiting the website (http://www.scidev.net), registering your interest, and engaging in the debates that we hope it will stimulate.