Since 2003 the Erasmus Thematic Networks that recognise themselves as dealing with the Humanistic Arts and Sciences have formed an 'Archipelago' a consortium of around twenty Thematic Networks.

We have given our endeavour the name "HUMAN PLUS", to emphasise that working together we are 'more human'. The objective of the Archipelago is to give greater visibility to Thematic Networks and to create a platform where representatives of different disciplines can meet, work together, and gain insight on the vital issues facing European citizenry.

In November 2004, we held our first Conference, in Brussels, at the Flemish Academy of Sciences. In the early summer of 2006 (June 30-1 July) we held a second plenary conference, entitled "HUMAN PLUS 2006: Im/Emigration and Mobility in European Culture, Society and Citizenship". The meeting was held in Pisa, in the historical fifteenth-century buildings of the University, where Galileo Galilei was once a student.

The objective was to bring the many points of view of the twenty disciplinary and thematic areas represented to bear on a many-faceted issue on which citizens and policy makers are called to take decisions. It is our belief that the insights generated by such a group can be useful to society, and we are proud to be able to take up this challenge thanks to the support of the European Commission -- and particularly of the EAC, which supports both the Thematic Networks and the Archipelago.

The first issue of our electronic Journal ("HUMAN PLUS. The European Journal of the Humanistic Arts and Sciences") is dedicated to the Conference and to the materials created by the participants and by the Humanistic Thematic Networks.