Mission & Vision

Body

Mission

The mission and vision of the Salaam Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Cultural Center are to provide a home for a border-fluid MENA community and to inspire holistic student success, inclusion, and belonging. By fostering the development of critical, intercultural citizens and global leaders who are better equipped to read and engage our complex and nuanced world, we hope to leave our communities better places than we found them.

Vision

  • Support the success, inclusion, and belonging of those who identify with and want to learn more about MENA in all of its diversity.
  • Create a home for a border-fluid MENA and their global diasporas as a haven to explore their multi-layered identities.
  • Promote safe spaces for all UIUC-registered student organizations, students, faculty, staff, and the community at large. 
  • Develop critical intercultural awareness and civil intercultural exchange that fosters intercultural sensitivity and cultural humility.
  • Provide MENA-oriented leadership training, resources, events, workshops, conferences, and cultural experiences.
  • Facilitate in-person and virtual community-based experiential learning that represents, includes, and humanizes all MENA peoples, communities, and cultures.
  • Partner with organizations and individuals on campus, locally, nationally, and internationally, to achieve common goals.
  • Develop an alumni network that creates opportunities for community engagement, mentorship, and support.
  • Aid, support, and partner with stakeholders interested in creating a Salaam MENA Cultural Center at their respective colleges and universities.