Dear Study Tour Participants,

Please find enclosed some background materials on topics and themes of the Study Tour. At present moment there is a veritable explosion of excellent new writing and publications. This collection does not pretend to be comprehensive, merely an appetizer course. We are creating a standing web-based resource of materials, so please let us know about items you have identified as being particularly useful.

In addition, you will have access to all the presentations in the online resource centre that you can use and share with your colleagues and allied constituencies.

The Study Tour is happening at a very propitious moment. This week, the Government of British Columbia announced the establishment of the Advisory Council for Social Entrepreneurship, which "is mandated to make recommendations on how to maximize social innovation in British Columba, which an emphasis on social finance and social enterprise."

You will notice that members of the Council are prominently on the agenda for the Study Tour.

On behalf of Ashoka, PLAN Institute, SiG National and Causeway, we are very excited to be joining together with you.

Best Wishes, 

Al Etmanski, Tim Draimin and Celia Cruz