Africa Geographic May 2003 [antikvár]

¦n many respects it seems lilse just tlie otiier day tliat we nervously opened our doors with the maiden offering -of Apica Geographic, then named Africa - Environment Wildlife. But here we are exactly 10 years and 78 issues down the track, and a lot of water has passed under the bridge A rather bewildering amount of water, in fact, as March Turnbull and 1 found out when we sifted through more than 450 features to bring you the commemorative overview of our first decade (see page 25). Producing the magazine has been an enormous challenge, from an editorial perspective as well as the uncertainties inherent in starting a publishing business from scratch. But, for all of us involved in the making and distribution of the magazine, it has also been an exciting and ongoing adventure - an adventure that has taken us to virtually every country and island of a continent with an incomparable diversity of life forms, landscapes and cultures. As we know too well, Africa is far from being a universally stable and prosperous place. All too often, when it does come into sharp focus under the camera lenses of the world's major media networks it is because of some awful catastrophe involving war, pestilence or natural disaster such as floods, drought and volcanic eruptions. Whilst these situations cannot be ignored, it is sad that they are seldom balanced by the positive things that happen in Africa. For there are good things, particularly in conservation and nature-based tourism. With our wide readership now spanning more than 60 countries, we are in a strong position to disseminate considered, accurate information about Africa. It is a responsibility we take very seriously indeed, and one we regard as inseparable from the motivation and vision which were set out in that maiden issue in May 1993 and have been our constant and driving force since: 'As an independent magazine reporting on and about the continent, Africa Geographic strives to offer balanced and comprehensive coverage of the environmental and conservation challenges facing Africa, so that our readers may thoughtfully and actively respond. Its function is to entertain, inform and generally to foster an awareness of important issues, consistently advocating the need for the wisest use of natural resources in a manner which involves and is of real benefit to the people of Africa.' None of what we have been able to achieve would have been possible without our readers (many of whom have been with us since that very first issue); our team of contributors which includes top scientific minds, highly respected conservation and travel writers and, of course, some of the world's finest wildlife photographic talents; and our advertising clients who have trusted us as a vehicle for the promotion of their brands. I and my colleagues thank you all for your support and look forward to engaging with you in the decades that lie ahead. Our function is to foster an awareness of important issues, consistently advocating the need for the wisest use of natural resources in a manner which involves and is of real benefit to the people of Africa