[Please customize according to your forum by replacing everything between square brackets, delete these instructions, then send to all potential participants by e-mail]

INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN AN e-DEBATE

** [TITLE OF DEBATE] **

_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/


--- PRESENTATION / [Sub-Title] ---

[General presentation of the debate: the overall topic, the sub-topics, and the type of forum and medium used.]

Example: 

You are invited to participate in a debating forum on [general topic], in which we will be dealing, in particular, with [the sub-themes]. This forum will take place on an e-mail discussion list coupled with a Web site, which you can see at <Web site address>[, but it will also use more traditional means of communication, such as regular mail and fax].

--- OBJECTIVE(S) OF THE DEBATE ---

[Clear presentation of the specific objective(s).]

--- CONTEXT ---

[Presentation of the previous work on which the forum will be based: a short abstract of the working document(s).] 

--- CALENDAR ---

Le debate will take place from [date] to [date]. The expected output will be [product(s) of the debate], which [destination of this or these product(s), for instance, to contribute to a meeting or another collective undertaking].

--- WORKING OF THE FORUM ---

[Description of the adopted method]

Example:

We will successively debate, in two-week periods, on the following topics [list of topics]. At the end of each of these periods, a summary of the debate will be written and published on the discussion list; [it will also be sent to participants not having access to e-mail, by fax, or by regular mail]. 

--- TO PARTICIPATE ---

Everyone's participation is essential. If you wish to subscribe to the forum, please reply to this letter and indicate:

* YOUR NAME / ORGANIZATION:
* PREFERRED E-MAIL ADDRESS:
* FAX: 
* MAILING ADDRESS:
* TELEPHONE:
* THE FOLLOWING LANGUAGES THAT YOU CAN *READ*:
	- ENGLISH
	- FRENCH
	- SPANISH
* THE FOLLOWING LANGUAGES THAT YOU CAN *WRITE*:
	- ENGLISH
	- FRENCH
	- SPANISH

==> If you have access to e-mail, send your replies to <Forum Coordination e-mail address>. We shall subscribe you to the discussion list.

[==> If you do not have access to e-mail, we shall send you the working documents, the debating issues, and the summaries of the debate by fax, or by regular mail if you have none. You can then send us your reactions / contributions

by fax to:
or
by regular mail to:]

PLEASE REPLY BEFORE: [...]

 We are counting on your participation, and sincerely hope that you will be among us. [If you know of persons who might be interested in being part of this debate, please forward this invitation to them or send us their details.]


Best regards,



Forum Coordination
* [name]
* [name]
* [name]
[<e-mail address>]

[Mailing address]
[Fax number]
[Telephone number]