The ARC challenges the approach of decades of conventional relief and development efforts and seeks to change the model by creating programs that build local business management and leadership capacity. This capacity building is catalyzed by fueling entrepreneurship that, in turn, leads to the long-term economic betterment for local communities. The business skills workshop and student internships create the platform from which to build this bridge.

The ARC is the partnering of business people in Canada and students, alumni and faculty from the University of British Columbia. Members of the ARC share a belief that the best method in which to increase economic wellbeing is to work at the community level developing business management and leadership capacity.

The initiative currently has programs in Phalaborwa , South Africa and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. These locations are the focal point because two members of the ARC are from these cities and have extensive relationships at the community level. These relationships form the basis of the partnership and greatly enhance the effectiveness of the partnership. Future locations will build on the same model in which existing community level relationships exist for partnering opportunities and joint programming.