Dothegap was launched with a view to normalising cultural exchanges and transforming them into a more commonplace and inclusive activity. These types of experiences contribute to the development of a whole series of values, such as respect and tolerance of diversity. However, our commitment to society goes one step further!
Our philosophy and understanding of an exchange involves promoting social, economic and environmental values, as well as helping to fulfil the essential Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
If you want to know more about the values dothegap promotes, keep reading!
What are dothegap’s values when it comes to normalising the cultural exchange as a community?
Our philosophy is based on promoting cultural exchanges on a one-to-one basis, including a series of values that we can classify as social, economic and environmental.
For example, dothegap is based on the model of a collaborative economy: a direct exchange of services between individuals. This increases and diversifies supply and demand as well as ensuring the experience only costs are not inflated.
Therefore, we are able to make this experience more democratic, one that until now has not been very accessible due to its high organisation costs. Dothegap supports the generation of shared content: sharing what you know and learning from others. The exchange proposals will be as rich and diverse and the community itself.
Those that go on a cultural exchange with someone else from our community develop multicultural awareness and gain a more global and diverse vision thanks to contact with different realities. This means acquiring new qualities and skills on both a personal and professional level, which helps establish a respectful environment.
From a wider perspective, dothegap’s collaborative model promotes an ecosystem rooted in commitment, solidarity and idea generation. As a result, it helps create wealth, employment and innovation on all levels.
Dothegap’s cultural exchange community advocates sustainable and responsible tourism. The proposed experiences minimise environmental impact and promote real cultural immersion, without paying an intermediary. The guest and host are responsible for sharing their environment. This has a very low environmental impact and helps to foster the development and growth of all parties involved.
If you want to read more about sustainable tourism and our environmental and social values, take another look at this post.
Our commitment to Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 10
Because of the principles and values we have developed, dothegap promotes and participates in two of the Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the UN as part of its Agenda 2030. They are SDG 4 and SDG 10, here’s how!
SDG 4: Quality education. The aim is “to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”. In addition, this access to education must be equal, providing the necessary skills to make the leap into the working world, with respect for diversity and adhering to the principles of sustainable development.
Dothegap’s cultural exchanges are fully aligned with these conditions. Our community democratises this experiential learning experience, regardless of age, origin or any other aspect of the person, or his/her economic situation. What’s more, as we have seen, people gain more respect, tolerance and values in terms of equality.
SDG 10: Reducing inequality within and among nations. The UN states that “economic growth is not enough to reduce poverty if it is not inclusive, and does not take into account the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental.”
As such, social inclusion and equal opportunities must be promoted, eliminating any barriers regarding age, sex, disability, ethnicity, origin, etc. Cultural exchanges are a great tool for collaborating and enriching all parties involved. In addition, dothegap minimises the cost of the experience, making it an activity that’s accessible to many more families.
In today’s post, we wanted to shed a little more light on the philosophy, values and commitments that dothegap has with society and its development. Want to promote the changes you want to see in the world?
If you’re an individual: Sign up to dothegap.com and upload your exchange proposal for free.
If you are a company and are looking for a new kind of social benefit that will also help to promote all of dothegap’s values and objectives, get in touch: hello@dothegap.com.
