The use of Synchrotron Radiation (SR) for research in science and technology has grown enormously in the past two decades, so that more than 5,000 scientists, in Europe alone, now make regular use of SR in their work.  World-wide capacity for research with SR has grown from almost zero in 1970 to the order of 2 million beamline hours per year. 
          In the developing countries, at least seven full-scale storage rings for SR are in operation or expected to be commissioned within a few years.  In addition, research with SR is truly international, with many scientists making use of facilities in other countries to complement work in their home laboratories.
         The aim of the School is to cover all aspects of SR, from machine physics, insertion devices and beamline design, to actual applications of SR.  Emphasis will also be placed on practical training in accelerator technology, instrumentation, and the application of common experimental techniques. Recent developments exploit the tunability, the polarization and the partial coherence of X-rays delivered by the undulators implemented in the machines of the third generation.  Industrial and environmental applications will also be discussed during this activity.