However, when a discussion list is moderated, messages from subscribers are reviewed and approved for content before being distributed to members to that particular group. A moderated discussion list therefore has a value-added function to keep discussions focused, free of unrelated content, junk and spam mail, and other unwanted messages.

The value of both moderated and unrestricted discussion lists is that it allows a group to interact with each other in a quick, inexpensive and effective manner.

European Mountain Forum Discussion Lists

Discussion Lists are the primary platform of European Mountain Forum to connect members to share information, provide mutual support and to advocate on issues related mountain issues in a simple and effective manner.

European Mountain Forum manages and moderates 2 discussion lists.

All the discussion lists moderated by Mountain Forum are free and open for anyone with an interest to join.

Discussion lists provide a platform for members to generate debate and seek opinion about their work and interests related to mountain development. It is also a platform to build networks and alliances between members of this global mountain community.

Discussion lists also provide an opportunity for members to support and promote their work within the Mountain Forum community and form partnerships at the local, regional, and global levels to serve the global mountain community.

Mountain Forum staff across the world moderate these discussion lists and archives of the same are also available through our partner Bellanet. All Mountain Forum discussion lists follow a moderation policy which we have developed over the years. To know more about these policies, please click on the relevant link on the left.

To protect current and future members from spam and to prevent bogus membership requests, Mountain Forum undertakes a manual verification process to authenticate all new membership requests. This is to ensure that all members have a safe and secure experience when they use any of the services of Mountain Forum.

A member has no obligation to send any messages to the discussion list(s) they are subscribed to. However, members are encouraged to participate in Mountain Forum through discussion lists as then they stand to gain much more from the collective knowledge of the entire mountain community.

There are many ways to participate in discussion lists, and we encourage you to take advantage of as many as possible.

• First and foremost is to contribute your experience to discussion lists. For those of you who may be new to discussion lists, or feel hesitant about posting your message, you are just the kind of person we are hoping to reach. Please be assured that this is a friendly, supportive, and open discussion. A diversity of voices enriches us all.
• We encourage you to present examples or case studies from your own experience, and especially to tell about lessons you or your colleagues have learned while engaged in equitable and ecologically sustainable mountain development.
• Let us know about upcoming events in your area, or new information sources of use to the mountain community.
• Send us case studies, reports, or bibliographies to include in the electronic archives of Mountain Forum.
• Tell us about other discussion lists, databases, or websites which you have found useful.
• Share information and discussions on this list with colleagues who are not on email.
• Identify potential participants and involve them in Mountain Forum activities.
• Work with other participants to form partnerships at the local, regional, and global levels.
• Above all, let us know how to make the discussion lists more effective. All suggestions are welcome!

Mountain Forum has policies that regulate the flow of information and discussions through the discussion lists. The rationale to have these policies and regulate the discussions is to maintain a safe, comfortable, and constructive forum for online exchange of information on mountain issues. The discussion list policies of the Mountain Forum are to encourage discussions on issues that are relevant to equitable and ecologically sustainable mountain development.
To find more about Mountain Forum discussion lists policies please click here.

In case you have any questions or need any clarifications on discussion lists, please send an email to lists@mtnforum.org.