As a result of these experiences, I established Trace Foundation in 1993 in order to support Tibetan people and culture in western China. In late 1995, severe snowstorms deluged the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. As part of the humanitarian response, Trace Foundation made its first direct grants in China that year. Working with people to meet immediate needs, we found that many ideas for longer-term cooperation emerged. We continued to work on projects that responded to local needs and built on local strengths. Over the years, our activities in the region have increased and evolved into the programs that are presented to you here. We have been working with partners in villages and towns, schools and hospitals, and through all levels of government to identify and implement quality projects that bring long-term benefit to local communities.

Trace Foundation's mission is to promote the cultural continuity and sustainable development of Tibetan communities in China. This mission reflects the Foundation's ongoing commitment to the communities we have worked with since 1995. It also reflects my wish to continue the story that began more than a decade ago, when I first visited China. I am happy to share our mission with you here, along with our guiding principles, a description of our programs and summaries of many of the initiatives that we have supported.

Since the foundation began, I have tried to create an organization that makes sense within context, by which I mean the context of culture, time and place. During the past decade, China has experienced rapid change. This change has involved the coming together of worlds, illustrated by China's entry into the World Trade Organization and the policy of "Opening the West." As a result, Western China is among the regions of the globe where traditional practices and modernity are coming together on an historically unprecedented scale. This meeting of worlds provides new opportunities but also provokes challenges to cultural heritage and poses threats to ecological balance.

As part of a new landscape, Trace Foundation is committed to utilizing its skills and resources to help local people respond to changing circumstances. At Trace, we believe that human capacity is the greatest resource of any society and the cornerstone of long-term development. We are dedicated to working with people who can make a difference within their society. The foundation has been fortunate to work with many exceptional individuals from all walks of life as grantees, consultants and friends.

In addition to providing an overview of our programs, I hope that the following pages will give some insight into the spirit of our organization. At the heart of all our activities is a commitment to partnership and community service. In practical terms, this commitment can take many forms. It can mean bringing different resources to the table, working with grantees on planning, looking for synergies between projects or cooperating with other organizations. In spirit, it means respecting all people, valuing cultural perspectives, learning, sharing ideas and working together to benefit others.

It is my hope that Trace Foundation's contribution will carry into the future through the ongoing activities of individuals, communities and institutions as they develop their society over the long-term. As an international organization, we are an impermanent part of the local landscape. Today we use our energy and resources in order to leave an imprint on the future, but only a trace.

Andrea Soros Colombel