ESAS Vision, Mission, Purpose and Values
Purpose
Our core purpose is to create a space where East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) communities can build resilience, receive wellbeing support, and come together in healing and community. As a community interest company led by migrant and diaspora women, we are rooted in lived experience and firmly believe in empowering our communities to lead, challenge injustice, and thrive on their own terms.
Vision
We envision a Scotland where East and Southeast Asian communities are equitably included and fairly represented across all areas of life.
Mission
Our mission is to be a cultural hub where ESEA people can connect, heal, and grow—offering a platform for empowerment and solidarity in the face of adversity.
Our Values
Equity & Inclusion
Advocating for meaningful representation in all areas of life.
Community Voice
Challenging harmful narratives and reclaiming our stories.
Solidarity & Intersectionality
Uplifting those at the margins within our communities.
Healing & Empowerment
Prioritising wellbeing and leadership development.
Our Story
Founded in 2020, East and Southeast Asian Scotland (ESA Scotland) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting, representing, and advocating for communities from East (including Central, North, and Pacific) and Southeast Asia across Scotland. Our primary focus is to address the impacts of racial violence, gender-based violence, discrimination, and social exclusion—especially the harmful effects of ‘homogenised Sinophobia’ in the UK, where individuals are targeted based on perceived ethnicity or culture.
Initially, ESAS concentrated on supporting underrepresented and marginalised ESEA migrant communities, particularly asylum seekers and refugees. Through this work, we gained a clear understanding of the scale of unmet needs and the lack of awareness regarding ESEA migrant communities within the support sector. We have worked closely with Vietnamese communities, particularly undocumented migrants and asylum seekers, who face compounded challenges related to language barriers, isolation, and accessing culturally competent support. Additionally, we have engaged with Chinese diaspora and migrant communities from both China and Hong Kong, as well as Filipino and Indonesian migrant workers facing significant risks and exploitation in the labour force. Over the years, we have been overwhelmed with requests for assistance, highlighting a major gap in available services and underscoring the vital need for the support we provide.
Drawing from our lived experiences and the adversities faced by ESEA communities, we have developed a deep understanding of the ongoing issues affecting our UK-based communities today. We continue to collaborate closely with other ESEA support groups, organisations, charities, and activists who are campaigning for greater visibility and change within the UK. Our mission is to foster community cohesion, improve opportunities, and advocate for equitable representation in the pursuit of social justice in Scotland.
At ESA Scotland, we firmly believe that everyone deserves a fair chance at life, and we are committed to empowering and advocating for communities that have been marginalised and left behind.
Would you like to explore how we can support your work and advocacy?
We offer consultation services and cultural competency training tailored to your needs.[Click here to learn more)