18th Annual National Service-Learning Conference Is Hectic yet Rewarding
nslc 07 reflection
Time
management was critical at the 18th
Annual National Service-Learning Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Each day started at 7 a.m. and lasted
until late afternoon. As a young person,
I spent my time attending plenary sessions, workshops, luncheons, discussion
groups, and visiting booths in the Exhibit Hall of the Convention Center. In addition, I visited other interesting youth-centered
activities such as “The Project Ignition Party” and “The Youth Room.”
Siddharth
Damania, another NYLC Youth Advisory Council member who attended the conference
said, “I enjoyed having a hectic day filled with many different events because
it gave me the opportunity to network with other people and find out what they
are doing around the world to contribute.”
Indeed,
it was excellent to see thousands of individuals gathered to share ideas,
thoughts, and concerns in hopes of making the world a safer and more livable
place. Not many youths get the
opportunity to witness this form of decisive action first-hand, and I am lucky
to have done so.
It
was also eye-opening to see all the different kinds of people that can and will
make a difference — from primatologist Jane Goodall, to former Sen. Harrison Wofford,
to Olympic runner Jackie Joyner-Kersee (please double-check spelling), to all
the youths and adults attending this conference. It was amazing to start the day by listening
to these life-changing speakers from all over the world. No matter who the speaker was, I was
motivated and encouraged to help my community become a better place. As Goodall
said, “Don’t try and change the world globally, contribute to your local
communities, and if everyone does so, it will all add up and help change the
world globally.”
It is important for every individual to learn
what he/she can do to help his/her community and, on a larger scale, the
world. It is also vital to follow-through
with the actions planned for change.
Although this was my first National
Service-Learning Conference, it helped me grasp the idea that everyone can make a difference.
I
encourage everyone to join us next year at the 2008 National Service-Learning Conference,
April 9-12 in Minneapolis, Minn., for another life-changing experience.
