ABSTRACT
It is estimated that more than 10% of the world's population currently lives in close proximity to an active volcano. In particular, it is quite clear that volcano surveillance on a global scale is at present inadequate and functioning on an ad hoc basis, a situation which must be improved if the future impact of volcanic eruptions is to be minimized. Although designed for implementation during the current decade, the proposed projects are likely to be largely opened ended, and will continue to form a major part of a strategy for volcanic disaster reduction well into the twenty-first century. While by no means demeaning the importance of future technological developments in volcano surveillance, it may well be that the best way to avoid such a situation in the future, is for every volcanologist to become as much an educator and communicator as a scientist.
