The aim of this workshop is to examine the cosmic ray phenomenon in the context of our evolving
understanding of the Galaxy as an astrophysical system. Observations of cosmic rays and theoretical
models of their origin and propagation will be critically surveyed. The extend to which these reinforce,
or conflict with other astronomical information about the Galaxy will be a major theme of the workshop.
Other themes will be the extent to which Galactic-scale processes can be illuminated by studies of
analogous heliospheric processes, and the identification of key questions for future investigations. The
workshop will bring together physicists working in the fields of cosmic-ray origin and propagation,
structure evolution and composition of the Galaxy and the interstellar medium, and relevant areas of
radio, optical, X-ray and g -ray astronomy.