Christian faith centers on belief in Jesus Christ, through whom the relationship between God and humanity is restored. This grace—the gift of a renewed relationship—motivates Christians to initiate relationships with others who are loved by God, through Jesus Christ. Additionally, this grace empowers individuals to cultivate harmonious relationships with others. A life of faith points the way to salvation in Christ Jesus.
At ASCIM, we live out this faith, empowering people to foster harmonious relationships with one another.
Integrity is the consistency between one’s ideals and values and how one lives. For a Christian, this means being true to oneself, reflecting the experience of grace—a restored relationship with God—in daily life.
At ASCIM, integrity is practiced daily in interactions with others.
A healthy family is built on the marriage between a man and a woman, forming the foundation of a structured, harmonious family system. Both German-speaking Mennonites and indigenous peoples place a high value on family harmony. Indigenous cultures emphasize a natural flow of harmony, while German-speaking Mennonites focus on order and discipline to achieve or maintain it.
At ASCIM, we encourage our staff to explore different family ideals and to share and practice biblical family values in their work, friendships, schools, and counseling efforts.
Tolerance involves the calm acceptance of differing opinions and actions of others. It also includes respect, which means showing appreciation and consideration for others and their institutions. Tolerant and respectful behavior excludes careless or selfish actions.
At ASCIM, we recognize the diversity of cultures, traditions, and value systems within our communities. We consciously acknowledge these differences in our daily interactions and strive to achieve common goals through consensus.
Serenity refers to a deep sense of inner peace, providing mental strength to face adversities. Both German-Mennonite and indigenous cultures highly value and practice serenity.
At ASCIM, we use serenity as a bridge for effective communication and understanding.
Honesty Honesty means being sincere and truthful. It also involves openness and integrity. In the past, a person was considered honest if they did not lie or steal. Today, an honest person is also someone who recognizes their weaknesses and strives to correct their mistakes.
At ASCIM, we act with honesty and sincerity in all our internal and external relationships.
Transparency involves providing free access to information about processes and activities, ensuring accountability at all levels. It is closely tied to open communication between all stakeholders.
At ASCIM, we ensure that our decision-making processes and work activities are accessible and transparent to everyone involved.
Punctuality refers to meeting agreed-upon times and deadlines, and it is strongly connected to reliability. Western societies often view time linearly, associating punctuality with progress, sometimes prioritizing it over relationships. In contrast, indigenous cultures often see time as cyclical, where relationships take precedence over deadlines.
At ASCIM, we strive for reliability through strong interpersonal relationships and clear communication, all while working towards progress.
Diligence is the careful and dedicated execution of tasks, responsibilities, and commitments. It involves courage, perseverance, energy, and effort.
At ASCIM, we create a common platform for work, embracing different interpretations of diligence across cultures.
Sustainability means ensuring that current practices do not diminish opportunities for future generations. It involves using no more resources than can be naturally replenished or restored.
At ASCIM, sustainability encompasses ecological, economic, and social dimensions:
- Ecological sustainability: Preventing the depletion of natural resources.
- Economic sustainability: Promoting agricultural practices that can endure long-term.
- Social sustainability: Structuring society to minimize social tensions and prevent conflicts, enabling peaceful, civil solutions.
Responsibility is the duty to complete assigned tasks and recognize and address the needs of the moment. It includes accountability and a willingness to accept the consequences of one’s actions.
At ASCIM, we take responsibility for fostering sustainable, harmonious intercultural coexistence.
Social responsibility means considering the needs of society and the environment in decision-making processes. It involves taking responsibility for both individuals and the broader community.
At ASCIM, we address the social needs of our staff and partners, ensuring that our work reflects concern for their well-being and environment.
Solidarity is selfless support for others, defending their dignity while providing unconditional help.
At ASCIM, solidarity is a way of life that promotes integral development while upholding each individual's dignity.
Trust is the conviction that others will act with honesty and integrity. It is fundamental to cooperation and closely linked to responsibility, as those who are trusted are accountable for maintaining that trust.
At ASCIM, trust is the foundation of our cooperation and grows through interpersonal relationships.
Friendship is an emotional bond based on trust, sympathy, respect, and companionship..
At ASCIM, we nurture intercultural friendships that develop through collaboration and personal connections.