Blog
Mission and Vision
Our Mission
Through Asia and US-based experiential learning opportunities that encompass self-reflection, creative problem-solving, and cross-cultural connection, VIA equips emerging social impact leaders with skill sets and mindsets to address complex human challenges.
Our Vision
We envision a global community of leaders collaborating across boundaries to build a more compassionate society and to address critical social challenges.
VIA’s mission and work has always reflected an innovative, human-centered approach. This approach has enabled VIA to engage with local communities and forge partnerships in Asia to facilitate cross-cultural exchange from a place of learning and humility rather than centering external values, priorities, and mindsets. From the onset, VIA’s culturally responsive programming has promoted respectful curiosity, appreciation, and collaboration with the cultures and communities in which volunteers were placed.
Since its founding as a volunteer service learning organization, VIA has grown to offer short-term cultural and professional training programs, internships, and year-long fellowships throughout Asia and in Silicon Valley to equip individuals with skillsets and mindsets to address today’s social challenges. We continue to embrace our innovative roots, evolving to serve the needs of our participants and partners, while encouraging curiosity, humility, and compassion.
Our Community
The international VIA community is diverse, socially engaged, and committed to empathy-building and collaboration across borders to build a better world.
Members
Including program alumni, volunteers, and collaborators
Nationalities
Representing primarily the US, East and Southeast Asia
Years
Of grassroots cultural exchange and community-building
Partnerships
across the US, East, and Southeast Asia over six decades