Our decision-making processes throughout the pandemic have been grounded in our values. We have been intentional in our approach to stay true to our mission. This year, we have continued to implement strategies to connect our network through peer-peer learning, hone our model for change and community-driven development, and tackle challenging issues like climate change.
Read MoreWhat are the tourism practices we can use to mitigate escalating climate change? The ongoing global health crisis of COVID-19 is urging us all to answer this question as economies, livelihoods, and our environment battle its repercussions. Hear from Renee Bailey, a WWU Alum and LEAD Board member, about reimagining responsible travel.
Read MoreThere is no perfect solution to deal with the climate crisis. Individual action will only take us so far. We need systemic change within our largest institutions. At the same time, it's important for InPlace to address our own carbon footprint and the cost of study abroad on humanity and the global environment. But are carbon offsets enough to justify the cost of study abroad?
Read MoreSince our founding, we have grappled with the tradeoffs of international travel and climate change. For us, this ethical dilemma has remained at the forefront. Should we be taking students abroad when the communities we work alongside are directly impacted by climate change? This blog will explore those questions and possible strategies moving forward.
Read MoreIn recognition of our collective impacts on the climate and the news from the IPCC earlier this month, we wanted to share a beautiful piece written by one of our alumni about her hometown in the Mekong Delta. Stay tuned as we continue to grapple with a warming planet, and lay the groundwork for what we plan to do going forward.
Read MoreOur mission is centered around building relationships with communities and people whose ways of life are grounded in deep place knowledge. When communities are able to find and maintain a mutually beneficial balance between people and land, everyone is better off.
Read MoreWe have some big news. When our normal operations halted last year due to Covid-19, it gave us a chance to have some long-overdue conversations about our name and work. Since then, we've spent a good deal of time brainstorming, writing, discussing, and rewriting, and we've finally reached a point we feel good about.
Read MoreGet to know the faculty leader of our Biocultural Diversity in Nepal Program: Abe Lloyd. A passionate ethnobotanist, his own experience with study abroad and responsible travel have helped shape the program.
Read MoreWe know that meaningful change takes time, and we wanted to be intentional about our course of action. There are always areas to improve, and we must continue to take steps to create more enabling environments for systematic change. For us, that means it’s time to hit the reset button and make sure our work is aligned with our values of social and environmental justice.
Read MoreOur students recently returned from our Global Health in Rwanda program, which serves as a good reminder that as we confront the challenges of COVID-19, we must remember that we are in this together. We ask all of you to look out for the most vulnerable in society and remember that your actions have global consequences.
Read MoreBipin is beloved by IVS study abroad students. His trip to Vietnam is the first step to create global networks not only between the U.S. and communities abroad but between and across these communities themselves. Ultimately, this collaboration will lead to creative solutions to support community-driven development.
Read MoreOne thing is for sure: our fieldwork program in Vietnam would have never been successful without a vast array of community partners. We have worked with a variety of government agencies, universities, NGOs and community groups in central Vietnam over the last eight years.
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