IAS Update
by John Petrovato 

Welcome to the Spring, 2002 IAS newsletter.. Much has happened at the IAS over the past few months. We completed a successful  2001 fundraising campaign in which we were able to provide $8000 in grants and the IAS also has a new home and a new general director.

As of February 15, Rebecca Dewitt has stepped-down from the position of General Director and has become a board member. Rebecca has done an excellent job over the past couple of years as director and all of us on the board thanks her for her work. The new general director is John Petrovato. John  has been a board member of the IAS for a number of years and is very excited about his new role. Professionally a bookseller in Amherst, MA, john has been involved in the anarchist movement since the early 1980s. He also co-organizes the annual “Renewing the Anarchist Tradition Conference”, along with Cindy Milstein.

With the transition of directorship, the location of the IAS offices has relocated to 98 Main street, Conway, MA.  In addition to the office space available, the IAS will have access to much more additional space for other projects. 

It is my intention to have the IAS become more active over the years. Beyond giving support to radical writers (which will always remain our primary focus) it is my hope that  the IAS will be involved with organizing conferences and seminars, putting out publications, and setting up speaking tours.

Perspectives, our newsletter, will continue to be published twice a year in generally the same format as it has been. With this current issue I sought to create a forum in which to open up dialogue on the difficult questions and issues brought to light by the events of September 11th.  Anarchist writers, from different theoretical backgrounds,had been approached to contribute an essay which expressed specific issues which concerned them. They were to write from whatever style they felt comfortable (theoretical, practical, or personal) and what is published in this newsletter represents those who submitted essays. The opinions expressed by such do not represent the views of the IAS. But they do represent the many ways in in which anarchists explore such issues. Lacking an “official position”, anarchists create  vibrant intellectual debate.  It is, after all,  such which allows anarchism to remain a relevant and contemporary movement.

The Board of directors and myself would like to thank all the donors for their continued generosity. Such generosity is truly inspiring and it enables the IAS and the anarchist community to continue to have a voice in contemporary debates. We encourage contributors, donors, and others to contact the IAS with suggestions and comments and look forward to hearing from you. 

Perspectives on Anarchist Theory - Vol. 6, No. 1 - Spring 2002