Agenda

for the International Service-Learning Forum

All times are listed in Central Standard Time Zone.

9:00 - 10:00 AM Opening General Assembly

Global Voices: Service-Learning Around the World

Join us for an inspiring journey as we embark on a virtual tour of service-learning initiatives from around the world. This engaging opening assembly will bring together educators, practitioners, and advocates to explore the diverse and impactful ways service-learning is implemented across continents and cultures.

Speakers will include: Amy Meuers, NYLC; Karen Daniel, Youth Service America; Beatty Sekizenge, Singapore International School of Bangkok; Sylvia Guimaraes, Avenues Sao Paulo; Taiwanna Merritt, American International School of Johannesburg; Anas Ghanim, Qatar Foundation

Emcees: Nithin Palani and Angela Wu, NYLC Youth Advisory Council

10:00 - 10:15 AM Self Care Break

Take a 15 minute break between sessions.

10:30 - 11:30 AM Session

A Framework for Harm Reduction in Service-Learning

IService practitioners are uniquely positioned to support community members to understand their current and potential impact on important global issues. This session will introduce an ongoing, reflective framework to deepen the intentionality of values and impacts made during service learning in international schools. This tool addresses how ethics, power, privilege, and identity may increase or reduce harmful practices associated with service learning.

Participants to this session will:

– Access a practical tool that can be used to assess current and future service learning in their school.

– Gain awareness about harm that may be caused by service learning, as well as ways to avoid it.

– Foster intentional service learning through setting students and school communities up for lifelong contributions and engagement with real world issues in a sustainable way

We welcome school community members seeking to build more effective service learning experiences that promote responsibility, accountability, dignity, and humanity for all involved.

Speakers: Dr Emily Meadows, Emily Zien, Tiwana Merritt, John -Haakon Gould from Project ALT SHIFT S + L

11:30 - 12:30 PM Self Care Break

Take an hour break between sessions.

12:30 - 1:30 PM Session

Tackling the SDGs through Service-Learning: A Roadmap to Global Impact

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a universal call to action to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from poverty and inequality to climate change and environmental degradation.This dynamic and informative session is designed to equip educators, community organizers, and change-makers with the knowledge and tools to integrate service-learning initiatives that align with the SDGs into their work.

Speakers include: Nieves Tapia, Founder & Director, CLAYSS and Vannina Trentin, Training Deputy Coordinator of the International Institute for Educational Planning, UNESCO

*Please note: this session will be presented in Spanish with English translation.

1:30 - 1:45 PM Self Care Break

Take a 15 minute break between sessions.

1:45 - 2:45 PM Session

Promoting Equity Through Service-Learning Practice

In a world marked by persistent inequalities, service-learning offers a unique opportunity to bridge gaps and foster social justice. This session is a thought-provoking and action-oriented workshop designed for educators, community leaders, and advocates committed to advancing equity and inclusion in their service-learning practice.

Speakers include: Julie Rogers Bascom, Learning and Leadership Director, NYLC and Zahra Ali, student, Augsburg University

2:45 - 3:00 PM Self Care Break

Take a 15 minute break between sessions.

3:00 - 4:00 PM Closing General Assembly

The Power of Young People to Change the World

As we bring to a close this powerful day of learning and inspiration, we come together for our Closing General Assembly, a celebration of the boundless potential and influence of young people to shape the future. “The Power of Young People to Change the World” is not just a reflection of what we’ve learned during this event, but a call to action for youth empowerment, innovation, and global citizenship. This assembly will be a moment of inspiration and a catalyst for the change we all wish to see in the world.

Panelists: Lara Rocio Bravo Pichihua, Mercedes Kovach Echarte, Sofia Converso, and Victoria Agostina Etcheverry, Maristas La Immaculada, Argentina, Grace Liu, NYLC Youth Advisory Council, Nysa Khanna, UNESCO Fellow

Facilitators: Emanuel Morales and Litzy Vasquez, Colorado Young Leaders