In a worldwide survey, Cultural Vistas solicited feedback from our extensive alumni network regarding the global challenges that most impact their communities and lives. Our alumni urged us to focus on four key areas in our work, around which we center our program activities:
Climate ActionClimate Action encompasses the belief that it is our responsibility as an organization that promotes the global mobility of individuals to address the existential threats posed by climate change directly. We do this both by motivating individuals to climate action in our programs and by implementing increasingly more environmentally sustainable business practices. Cultural Vistas has pledged to reduce or offset our operational greenhouse gas emissions by at least 45% by 2030. This is loosely oriented on United Nations SDG #13, “Climate Action”.
Health & SafetyHealth & Safety encompasses the belief that everyone everywhere should have access to basic levels of healthcare and safety from all threats, which are both essential elements to live a productive life. It is loosely oriented on United Nations SDG #3, “Good Health and Well-Being,” which focuses on increasing access to essential healthcare without forcing those in need to endure financial hardship.
My program experience was motivational, inspiring, and gave me the opportunity to shift my STEM career outlook to a global scale.
Ayden Clark-Veal, Morehouse College Biology Major and Alumnus of STEM & Enterprise LAUNCH
I met people from all walks of life over the past year: From members of minority groups and people with disadvantaged backgrounds in my volunteer work, to members of the U.S. Congress. I would not have been able to have these diverse experiences had I stayed at home.
Alina Mertens, Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals
Prospering Democratic SocietiesProspering Democratic Societies & Institutions encompasses the belief that it is our responsibility to ensure that structures and forms of political expression that form the foundations of a free democratic society should be protected and supported. Civil society engagement is a cornerstone of many of our exchanges, and we encourage political dialogue and intercultural understanding, both within and across national borders. This is loosely oriented on United Nations SDG #16, “Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions”.
The Beyond Washington program highlighted how city and state dynamics shape national policy. This experience deepened my understanding of how collaboration between federal, state, and city governments is essential for effective policy implementation. Engaging with local leaders underscored the importance of deep connections between the USA and Europe to solve upcoming global challenges.
Carl Höregott, Beyond Washington Alumnus
