This background report was prepared to set the scene for the Change the Way Government Works: New Interests, New Arrangements Conference held in October 2004. It is a starting point for exploring trends in research, social policy and public administration. While designed for Conference participants, the background report will also be a useful reference for anyone interested or involved in these fields of work. The report: outlines the Conference themes; summarises current debates and policy responses around community strengthening and linking up; describes the Department for Victorian Communities’ lead role in community strengthening and linking up; and provides some exemplar case studies of key Victorian government initiatives. The background report will be complemented by a post-conference publication of select proceedings. This will be made available free of charge. As part of this process, selected case studies from this background report will be further developed as more useful research and learning tools. Conference papers are available on the PASCAL International Observatory site at: http://www.obs-pascal.com/