It has been nine years since Information International was founded, two years since the launching of “Ii Monthly” in English and eight months since its launching in Arabic. The company’s ‘Facts’ series of publications over the years include a look at Parliament from 1920–2000, a review of Lebanon’s public seaside properties and salaries and remunerations in the public sector. We have achieved a great deal in the areas of research, public awareness and publishing, and yet we still have a long way to go.

The encouraging words of our readers, their criticism and praise make it incumbent on all of us at Ii to develop further. May challenges lay ahead in regionalizing the company to cover North Africa and Iraq, establishing its board of advisors and expanding its publication to cover the region and serve as a podium for independent writers and scholars, and feature in-depth analysis of the issues. Our brochure published in 1995 quoted a phrase from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: “the tracks of quality lead you to solutions”; being ISO 9001:2000 certified is one step along that path.

Finally, the organization and its work should be strengthened to lay the groundwork for an institution that survives its founders...Until that is accomplished, we are not there yet.

Jawad Adra