by S. GUASCHINO Dean, Trieste University School of Medicine The society we live in is in continual development and has a number of priori­ ties for improving the standards of communication. The scientific sector in par­ ticular thrives on the exchange of information, which is the foundation of progress itself. The channels through which this interaction takes place are many and are aimed at optimising teaching methodology. Researchers and scholars, research centres and the places of higher learning themselves are increasingly aware of the growing importance of universities, which, thanks to their intrinsic ability to renew themselves, have taken on a vital central and propulsive role. Communication develops as a result of free exchange, debate of the materials available and the study of the various references and analysis sources. With the advent. of information systems, the teaching methodology has assumed a decisive role, both in terms of the quantity of data available and the quality of the information. Distance learning is a new and important opportu­ nity for the immediate future. The Anaesthesia and Critical Care School of Trieste has promoted this inter­ esting and highly relevant initiative by drawing together teaching material from the academic year 2003/2004. Numerous international lecturers have con­ tributed to this valuable achievement. In addition, a large part of the material is the fruit of a real consortium between the various Italian Schools of Anaesthesia.