L'Arche International is a Federation whose primary mission is to support its member communities and to unite them in a common vision.

In consultation with its members, L’Arche International clarifies and defines the essential elements of L'Arche and sees to it that these are present in the Federation’s activities, documents and policies. Furthermore, L'Arche International ensures that the organisation's values are lived out according to local cultures, traditions and socio-economic backgrounds rather than being imported as such.

Within the international community, L’Arche International is moreover working to support people with intellectual disabilities to take their rightful place in our communities and in our societies. As an international organisation, it seeks to promote inclusion, the valuing of diversity, and international solidarity, and seeks to be a sign toward the building of respectful societies founded on “relationships between people of differing intellectual capacity, social origin, religion and culture.” (Extract from the Charter)

The activities of L'Arche International are directed by the International Board and its Executive Committee and carried out by the International Coordinating team which consists of the two International Coordinators, an administrative, a communications and an events manager.