We believe that the people of the world are inter-dependent, and that our future is secured through cooperation nurtured by free, open, and respectful communication;

We believe that face-to-face meetings are effective means for communicating, and that their success requires knowledge, information, and the skills to embrace and surmount cultural differences;

We believe that the ability of the United States of America to provide leadership in the world community requires constant improvement in the international competence of its people, and that international exchange programs are essential for achieving that end;

We believe that international exchange programs should engage all peoples within and across nations, spanning ideology, culture, ethnicity, age, gender, and economic status;

We believe that LICC and its members must at all times meet rigorous and measurable standards of excellence in our programs, services, leadership, and management;

We believe that volunteerism is a unique trait of American society that must be reflected in our organization and programs, and we believe at the same time that it is incumbent on us to generate and manage with wisdom and case the financial and human resources that keep us strong;

We believe that LICC should reflect the diversity of its community--in its Board, its staff, its corps of volunteers, its membership, its programming and services, its publications, and its image.