OUR MISSION

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ICA promotes a just and equitable society 
by catalyzing sustainable communities
and ​demonstrating sustainable practices
to reverse the negative human impact on the planet.

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 OUR APPROACHES

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Participatory Engagement

​ICA uses an asset-based approach to community development that depends on facilitating people and communities to come together to achieve positive change using their own knowledge, skills and lived experience of the issues they encounter in their own lives.
An approach that is bottom-up, inclusive, and comprehensive builds upon the existing social capital within a community and relies on participatory engagement.

ICA methods are used to build consensus and depend upon:

• Inclusive Participation
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Individual and Group Creativity
• Action and Ownership
• Reflection and Learning

CULTURE IS KEY TO SOCIAL CHANGE

​In an ideal world the cultural, economic, and political systems are all equally valued and working within the understanding that the earth is a finite resource. In reality, societal behavior and decisions are primarily made with the economic perspective being overvalued at the detriment of cultural and political systems. Our current society is also treating the earth as an infinite resource, overtasking our environment in an unsustainable way.
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ICA is intentionally named the Institute of Cultural Affairs because of the organization’s rooted belief that real change must originate from the cultural dimension in order to put the systems into balance.

CHANGING IMAGES CHANGES BEHAVIOR

At their foundation, ICA programs attempt to create a shift in people’s mindsets, values, and behaviors.

​The four main value shifts ICA seeks to create in the individuals, organizations, and communities are illustrated to the right.

COLLABORATION NOT COMPETITION

ICA believes systemic change is not possible if organizations and individuals are not able to work together collaboratively. ICA believes that our current social construct breeds competition through deeply scripted scarcity mentality.

​ICA programs aim to break down this mentality in order to move from a competitive system towards a system of collaboration.

HOLISTIC SUSTAINABILITY

ICA has historically focused on the prevailing social issue of the time. ICA’s sustainability mission uses the holistic definition that includes economic, environmental, and social systems. When these systems are in balanced true sustainability is achieved. In order to maximize impact and longevity, ICA programs focus on the issues at the intersection of these systems.
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A sustainable community is inclusive and just with civically engaged residents working together to address social disparities and promote environmental health, human well-being, and community vitality for present and future generations.