In October 2002 the OECD, RMIT University and the City of Melbourne sponsored an international Learning Regions conference focussing on Victoria. Conference participants included government, academic and non-government organisations. The conference demonstrated for many people the advantages of collaboration with this kind of approach.

In the wake of the conference a number of people believed there was much to be gained from continuing to collaborate not only across national borders but also drawing together people who play different kinds of roles in regards to place, community and learning. PASCAL is that resource.

The development of effective alliances will be critical to the success of PASCAL. Currently a number of government and academic organisations have indicated their support for the Observatory and a willingness to contribute either financially and/or to the intellectual work to be done. The critical benefit of the alliances will come from the sharing of insights which derive both from academic research, engaging with policy and programme challenges and in taking up the question of advocacy.

Alliances will be shaped by practitioners and researchers offering the insights of their work and seeking to learn from others, and by policy makers posing critical questions and working through critical solutions.

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between RMIT University and the University of Stirling to jointly manage PASCAL. In addition, funding has also been received from:

An Advisory Board has been established. The Board role is to guide and determine the initial development, character, content and quality of PASCAL services. The Board membership is:

Other interested parties at earlier stages of discussion include planning bodies in England and Wales, and a number of continental European countries, together with other prospective Australian Federal and State partners.