‘It was the best of times; it was the worst of times' ... the opening line to Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities is apt today.

We are facing difficult social and environmental challenges - a deep recession and stark warnings of a global climate disaster among them. But we are also on the brink of a new era of social provision, one that requires a spirit of openness, collaboration and involvement from many players. Philanthropy is one of those players and governments (and governments-to-be) are keen to involve with philanthropy in its many guises.