Learning for a small planet is a unique project to develop new learning models for the 21^st century. Many of the challenges we face today can be understood as learning challenges: economic development, the creation of a world culture that is both global and diverse, the environment, health, regional conflicts—to name a few. Increasing our learning capability is therefore an urgent imperative. But in order to do so, we need new models about how to proceed and new visions of what is possible.

Some new models are emerging. In the last decade, for instance, the concept of community of practice has inspired people and organizations across all sectors to explore new ways of supporting learning. It is time to take a systematic look at what is happening, analyze what we are learning about learning, and explore where this could lead us. Learning for a small planet is an attempt to do this:

• Look systematically across sectors at new approaches inspired by the work on communities of practice: What is being tried? What is working and what is not?
  
• Paint a portrait of learning in the world today: What underlying patterns can we observe? What major trends seem to be emerging?
  
• Explore the practical implications of these developments: What do patterns and trends suggest for practitioners in business, education, government, and the non-profit sector? Where are projects and innovations that point the way? 
  
• Extend and refine the learning theory so as to provide a new discourse on learning: How can we capture these developments in new models of learning? How to think about learning in a globalizing world?
  
• Provide a public forum for reflecting on learning: How can we transform the public discourse on learning? How can we engage people from all walks of life in telling and shaping the learning story of our small planet?