It is an honour to be elected President of the IDS. I will do my best to carry forward the vision of Hubert Kolb and former Presidents to make the IDS a significant force in advancing the immunology of diabetes. I look forward very much to working with Des Schatz, IDS Secretary, and appreciate the continuing help of Michael Bonta with communications and the Newsletter. The immunology of diabetes is riding the crest of a wave and by working together we can surge ahead - towards the reality of type 1 diabetes prevention and cure. In the meantime, there's a lot of interesting work to do. Our record of organising Workshops, promoting quality control of autoantibody assays and publishing position statements is a unique contribution. We now need to expand to encompass cellular immunology, virology and clinical intervention trials. Individually and as a Society, I hope we can communicate our agendas and work cooperatively together and with organisations such as the JDRF, ADA, EASD, NIH and the Immune Tolerance Network. I also hope that we can serve the public at large, particularly by the provision of quality information, eg regarding prospects for the prevention and cure of type 1 diabetes. Our membership has increased substantially during the last year, thanks to the efforts of Des Schatz, but there's no room for complacency. Please get others to join the IDS - your colleagues and students. Let us know how IDS can better serve you and the wider community of type 1 diabetes researchers. We are particularly interested in hearing from younger clinicians and researchers in all countries, not just from the 'old brigade'. The jewel in the crown of the IDS is its Scientific Meeting. As the next Meeting in Chennai, India, rapidly approaches, ably crafted by Carani Sanjeevi, the sense of excitement about being on that wave is almost palpable. The program gets better by the day and almost everyone I speak to now is going to Chennai. See you there! Kind regards, Leonard Harrison