OUR APPROACH

Local Solutions for Global Change

Working alongside our community partners for many years provided us a unique window into the consequences of globalization, good intentions and the pressures of development. Our relationships allowed us to move beyond international education programs and ask deeper ethical and moral questions around our role in this process. By prioritizing shared learning, we take the time to understand the complexity of challenges and opportunities in our work from multiple perspectives.

Our goal is to move beyond traditional academic discourse to a more holistic and culturally responsive approach. We believe the most effective and lasting solutions come from local communities rather than outside experts. Our role is to strengthen these efforts, not to design them. We partner with visionary local leaders and organizations with the determination to help their communities thrive and support their efforts to build a more sustainable, inclusive future.

We further local initiatives by:

• Contributing directly to the local economy and supporting local initiatives through our fieldwork and study abroad programs

• Cultivating a network of knowledge grounded in reciprocity and co-learning to amplify local expertise

• Donating to community-based organizations and NGOs at the front lines of this work

We understand that long-term transformation takes time. We will continue to adapt our framework to ensure our model for community development aligns with our values and the wishes of the communities we work alongside.