The vision of this Centre (CELL) at Hong Kong University is to be a centre of excellence in research in continuing education and lifelong learning. This centre is created to support and strengthen HKU SPACE as a world-class institution in continuing education and lifelong learning through research activities and international academic exchanges.

PASCAL International Observatory is a dynamic and rapidly expanding organisation which aims to connect the communities of policy makers, practioners and researchers through an innovative approach to the sharing and exchange of cutting-edge best practice research, ideas and policies.

PASCAL is a response to the growing international demand from cities, regional and local governments and other organisations for knowledge and expertise which can be quickly mobilised to support the development and assessment of initiatives relating to the development and renewal of place, including social, economic and cultural development, and with particular emphasis on the role of social capital and lifelong learning.

PASCAL is both an observatory which collects, consolidates and organises knowledge, and a 'think and do' tank: our whole approach is geared to working to bring global thinking to the practical solution of local and regional issues. We offer a unique approach based on:

• Integrating policy, practice and research knowledge and ideas;
• A sustained relationship with our members and clients;
• A stress on consolidating, interpreting and sharing knowledge and mutual learning.

We are an independent not-for-profit organisation. We draw our members from regional governmental orgnaisations, universities and other organisations in the policy and research communities. We work collaboratively with our members, seeking to provide solutions to issues through a whole variety of activities which best fit the particular context in question. These activites include major international research and development programmes, inputs to local policy-making processes, and, most importantly, facilitating opportunities for mutual learning. Examples of all of these are available on other pages of this site.

PASCAL operates globally from four regional offices around the world, based at RMIT University, Melbourne, (covering Australia and Asia), the University of Glasgow (covering Europe), University of South Africa, Pretoria (covering Africa) and Northern Illinois University covering North and South America. PASCAL is co-directed by Professor Mike Osborne in Glasgow, Professor Catherine Odora Hoppers in Pretoria, Professor Bruce Wilson in RMIT and Paul Crawford at NIU. Operations are co-ordinated through the the Pascal Office by Dr Alan Foster, Executive Officer, based at Glasgow University.

PASCAL has an extensive network of expert associates who all have experience in senior positions in governmental and other public bodies and in academic institutions, who can be mobilised rapidly to offer expert advice and research to member and client organisations, from an international perspective.

You can explore the details of who our people are, and the work we have undertaken, on the pages of this site.

We are always ready to discuss ways in which PASCAL can work with your organisation either on its own, or as part of a consortiuum of organisations in your region seeking to address particular issues. Don't hestitate to contact either your nearest PASCAL regional office or Alan Foster, the Executive Officer. You will find us very responsive and very prepared to develop a membership package and a business plan which will meet your needs.