 The CliC Project was established in March 2000 by the World Climate Research Programme to stimulate, support, and coordinate research into the processes by which the cryosphere interacts with the rest of the climate system. The cryosphere consists of the frozen portions of the globe, and includes ice sheets, glaciers, ice caps, icebergs, sea ice, snow cover and snowfall, permafrost and seasonally frozen ground, as well as lake- and river-ice. As a sensitive component of the climate system, the cryosphere may provide key indicators of climate change, and CliC will focus on identifying patterns and rates of change in cryospheric parameters.
 SCAR is a committee of ICSU , the International Council for Science, and it is charged with the initiation, promotion and co-ordination of scientific research in Antarctica. SCAR is the single international, interdisciplinary, non-governmental organization which can draw on the experience and expertise of an international mix of scientists across the complete scientific spectrum. It is, therefore, the obvious source of advice on a wide range of scientific questions and it is ideally placed to provide the answers. For over 30 years SCAR has provided such scientific advice to the Antarctic Treaty System and made numerous recommendations on a variety of matters, most of which have been incorporated into Antarctic Treaty instruments. Foremost amongst these have been the advice provided for the many international agreements which provide protection for the ecology and environment of Antarctica.
 MO BIO Laboratories, a privately held company located in the San Diego biotech corridor (Carlsbad, CA USA), was founded in 1993. Initially a small business start-up, MO BIO has grown into a multi-million dollar operation with international production, research, and distribution. Today, MO BIO's growth and customer loyalty is challenging some of the world's leading molecular biology tool companies with innovative technologies and a commitment to value. One of the fastest growing companies in Life Science, the product innovation, company philosophy, and customer service focus continues to draw customers and outstanding industry talent to MO BIO. The founders and employees of MO BIO are dedicated to the preservation of the environment and to bettering the quality of the Earth through science.
 ARCUS based in Fairbanks, Alaska, was formed in 1988 as a non-profit member consortium of educational and scientific institutions that have a substantial commitment to arctic research. ARCUS facilitates discussion of important arctic research initiatives, produces science reports with research community recommendations for arctic science priorities, and distributes information resources to the arctic research community.
We thank ARCUS for contributing the printing of our programme and for assistance with travel arrangements for US researchers funded by the Polar Research Board.
 IARC's mission is to foster Arctic research in an international setting to help the nation and the international community understand, prepare for, and adapt to the pan-Arctic impacts of climate change. In accomplishing this mission, IARC serves as both mediator and driver to advance international collaboration aimed at comprehensive studies of the arctic system by integrating strengths unique to university, state, federal, and international support levels.
We thank IARC for providing the confernece bags for the participants and mentors.
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