Background / Mission

In 2001, we began as a humble independent publication. Initially, dedicated volunteer staff members pieced together 16-page printed newsletters and distributed them by hand on Bruin Walk at UCLA. With funding from local Westwood business and out of the pockets of our own staff members, we were able to publish four issues from the months of February to April. In the following year, we petitioned the university to adopt our newsletter as an official UCLA publication, and upon approval, "The Worldly Newsletter" made the move to the internet and became The Worldly Web Magazine

"The Worldly" operated under UCLA's Student Media for three years and was the only web magazine in the program that published regularly for the entire time. Beginning in 2005 however, Student Media dissolved it's web magazine program altogether.

Having accumulated four years worth of content, and with members of its original staff still dedicated to the publication, "The Worldly" once again became independent and moved to to a new and permanent domain (www.theworldly.org).

In 2008, we were granted recognition by the government as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and public charity. We strive to continue bringing our readers more cultural content through the years through an ever-growing roster of writers, artists, and editors, and to do our part to support international charities battling poverty, preserving culture, and doing good all over the world.

There have been many changes for "The Worldly", but throughout, our mission has remained the same.

(From the introduction in our first printed issue, February 2002)

Dear Reader:

It may seem puzzling to you that a single magazine would endeavor to report on the world. "The world", after all, is a very broad topic. For as long has language has been written, man (and woman) has been writing about the world in an attempt to understand it, to contain it's every aspect in books upon books, volumes upon volumes. The quest, as we all know, is one without an end.

"The Worldly" won't attempt to unravel the world's mysteries, however. This publication won't reveal to you the meaning of life, the essense of happiness, or the reason why humans are made different.

What "The Worldly" will attempt to do is instill in its readers both an awareness and profound interest in world cultures. For however long this publication exists, it will strive to promote the idea that all our differences shouldn''t divide us. If anything, they should encourage us to expand our horizons - to educate ourselves in how the diversity that surrounds us enriches every one of our lives.

"The Worldly's" motto is, quite simply: "Know the world, and know yourself". Never let it be said that we don't have a right to be proud of our own distinctive cultures. True pride in our roots, however, comes not from believing in the superiority of the group of people to which we belong. To fully understand the uniqueness of our cultures, it is essential to know how ours differs from all others. Therefore, you can only truly appreciate your heritage if you know what separates yours from the innumerable ones that exist.

"The Worldly" strives to give you knowledge of cultures around the world as they exist today. It will strive to give you a better understanding of your place here on this planet.

For the rest of the school year, our staff will be working to put together a monthly compilation of compelling and informative articles. Each issue will contain social commentaries on modern day problems that plague our world, reviews on international films, restaurants, and music, and many entertaining features that will offer you a glimpse into cultures. Hopefully you will be able to utilize the knowledge to enrich your life.