Fromthe President TheSocietyexiststo‘advance geographicalscience’–arguably thesubjectofourtimeinaworld challengedbyclimatechange, migration,internationalconflict, environmentaldegradationandsocial cohesion,tonamebutafewissues. 2007wasahighlysuccessfulyear.Our verymanyactivitiesweredeliveredon time,withinbudget,andwithinnovation. Externallyfundedprojectsflourished andfundingfornewprojectswas successfullyraisedmorethanoneyear aheadofschedule.Somehighlights canbeseeninthecentrepagesof thisreport. AgreatstrengthoftheSocietyisthe widerangeofaudiencestowhichwe addressouractivities–professional geographers,academicsand researchers,teachersandstudents, policymakers,expeditionersand travellersandthewiderpublic.To ensurethatyoungpeoplegrowup knowledgeableaboutthechanging world,andtosustainthefutureofthe discipline,theSocietyhasincreasingly supportedtheprofessionaldevelopment ofteacherswithresources,CPDand accreditation(page8). Geographyremainspopularasan undergraduatecourse.Foraspiring undergraduatesin2007weoffered A-levelstudydays,newinformation oncareersandnewadviceonchoosing ageographydegree.Forundergraduates andexpeditioners,theSocietyprovided activesupportforfieldworkand explorationthroughgrants,advice andtraining(pages7and13). Forgraduatesusingtheirgeographyin theworkplace,weofferedtheChartered Geographerprofessionalaccreditation, withprocessesstreamlinedin2007. Forthosethatfollowanacademiccareer path,theSocietycontinuedtoleadthe disseminationofresearchthrough highly-rankedinternationalpublications andconferences,researchgroups, andgrantssupportingnewresearch worldwide(pages5and13). Forresearchers,NGOs,andconsultants workingatthepolicyinterface,the Societyheldthree‘Environmentand SocietyForum’events,includingan internationaleventjointlywiththeIPCC onclimatechange.Wewerealsoactive inadvocacyforgeography,inadvising governmentandinraisingtheprofileof thedisciplineinthemedia(page11). Manygraduatesleavetheirdisciplinary rootsbehindbutretainakeeninterest inourchangingworld,nearandfar. Manyothersenjoylearningthrough travelorhaveakeeninterestin geographicalpublicaffairs.For theseaudiences,theSociety’spublic engagementprogrammeofmore than150lectures,discussionsand exhibitions,acrossEnglandandbeyond, weremuchindemand(page12). Fewotherlearnedsocietiesand professionalbodiesoffersucha rangeofsupportfortheirdiscipline, itspractitionercommunityandits widerpublicengagement.Wereceive nocoregovernmentfunding.Our charitableworkwasfundedin2007 fromnetmembershipincome(33%), enterpriseprofits(24%),investment incomeandtenancies(12%), fundraising(7%),inadditiontothe incomeraiseddirectlyfromcharitable activities(25%).In2007,incomerose to£4.3mfrom£3.8min2006.Iwould urgeallgeographerstosupportthe Societybyjoining.Asever,werelyon ourcurrentMembersandFellows,now numberingsome15,000,forarange ofbackingforourworkandIwouldlike tothankyouallforyoursupportin2007. ProfSirGordonConwayKCMGFRS President 1/2 Africa Facingchange Duststormoff thecoastofAfrica PartsofAfricawill experiencemoreerratic rainfallandduststorms, suchasthis,willbecome morefrequentinsome areasasourclimate changes. Policy • OurEnvironmentandSocietyForum,whichbringstogetherresearchers,policymakers,NGOsand business,heldtwomeetingsconcerningAfrica. • ThejointmeetingwiththeIntergovernmentalPanel onClimateChange(IPCC)consideredadaptationandvulnerabilitytoclimatechange,andAfricais citedasoneofthemostvulnerableareasonearth.