Our Mission & Values
Working in partnership to improve the human, social and economic rights of those on the margins
Our Vision
Freedom, peace and justice
A world of freedom, peace and justice, where marginalised and vulnerable people have greater opportunities to realise their goals.
Our Mission
Working in partnership
Our mission is to work in partnership to improve the human, social and economic rights of those on the margins.
We believe in a local-led development approach supporting communities to identify their needs and find their own tailored solutions. We aim for an impact that is sustainable and will benefit communities over the long-term. Our approach is consistent with the missionary approach to development.
VC’s faith-based approach is one of journeying in solidarity with the poor and marginalised in the world. While we are rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition, our development and pastoral work is open to all faiths.
To do this, we work with local partner organisations and assist them in achieving the objectives of their projects.
Our Values
True to our Christian roots, we are committed to these key values:
- Inclusion
All are welcome in our global interconnected family. Inclusion is reflected within all levels of our Association and our work. - Compassion
Support, empathy, love, honesty, and respect are at the centre of all that we do. - Justice
We work to achieve a just world where people can realise their human rights in an ecologically sustainable way.
Our Beliefs
- We celebrate our Catholic roots while embracing diversity.
- We believe in the dignity and rights of all people.
- We warmly welcome and work with all regardless of faith, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, race, culture, nationality, or ethnicity.
- We believe in environmental stewardship by taking a holistic approach to the protection of our common home.
- We believe in local-led decision making.
The Heart of VC
Travellers for Christ
At the very heart of VC is Christian love – to make the world a better place. ‘Viatores Christi’ means ‘Travellers for Christ.’ We are always seeking to see the unfolding of the Spirit in the work we do and the work that needs doing.
We are a lay association supporting members, staff, volunteers, partners and communities and we prioritise equality of relationships.
VC’s culture is influenced by the philosophy of Paulo Freire. It is filled with the desire to liberate people from discrimination and marginalisation. Freire’s emphasis on listening highlights the importance of mutual respect, dialogue and empathy in the process of education and social transformation. By listening to others, particularly voices from the marginalised and vulnerable, we aim to build connections, promote understanding and work towards a more equitable and just world.
Listening to the needs expressed and agreeing on a suitable action complements our Theory of Change model.
We strive to be agile and responsive given the challenging and volatile contexts in which we work. Our intention is to be dynamic, open, forward-looking and proactive.