We recognize the importance of government power as it allows individuals and groups to do more for the nation. But more important are the self-empowerment of the powerless, the self-emancipation of the poor from poverty, and their self-enlightenment resulting from reflection on their own efforts.

We believe that people empower themselves through civic participation. By knowing and then asserting their rights, they take responsibility for their own development. They enhance their critical faculties, their appreciation of their development resources and constraints, their negotiation and claim-making skills, their leadership, etc., by exercising these civic roles.

We cherish our autonomy. Then we need to pursue independent and self-respecting efforts to build up ourselves and the communities that we serve. But we do not operate in a vacuum. We interact with political parties, corporations and government agencies and officials. We are open to partnerships that are principled but are also ready to engage in measured criticism.