The 18th Annual National Service-Learning Conference Kicks Off with New Mexican Flair

Attendees of The 18th Annual National Service-Learning Conference received a mariachi welcome at the Albuquerque Convention Center when the conference opened at 4:00 p.m. on March 28. Like a team of pied pipers, the six-person band, Mariachi Temampa, led eager participants into the Kiva auditorium for the opening plenary session.

Inside, the energy continued with live performances and greetings from the host organizations, NYLC and New Mexico State Commission for Community Volunteerism. David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, gave a brief opening address. He emphasized the importance of valuing youths as assets, rather than simply as beneficiaries of service. Today, he noted, there are twice as many youths involved in service as there were during the '70s, '80s and '90s — a message that was underscored by the large number of youths in the audience.

"If we're not able to engage our citizens in helping their own communities," Eisner told the crowd, "then we're not going to be able to bring the kind of sustainable change that we need."

The band then led the 1,200 attendees from the auditorium to the Exhibit Hall, where they were treated to more mariachi music along with dance performances by two local artists, Ballet en Fuego and the Great American Indian Dancers. A Mexican buffet was served, and more than 70 exhibitors met with attendees.

Those who arrived in the morning were able participate in an array of daylong preconference sessions, including The Global Service Forum and a special offsite service project. The Global Service Forum brought 86 service-learning leaders from around the world together to discuss common issues and exchange strategies. Participants shared service-learning projects from a number of countries, including Liberia, Ghana, Argentina, the Palestinian Territories, Israel, and Yemen.

As international leaders met, the 60 service-project participants headed out to the Bernalillo Historic District to help rebuild traditional adobe buildings. Working with Cornerstone Community Partnership — an organization that works with communities to restore historic structures and encourage traditional building practices — participants helped restore an old farm building. Members of the group made adobe bricks from a mixture of sand, dirt, and straw, and restored stucco on the building. They also learned the history of the building practice and how adobe buildings, when properly cared for, can last hundreds of years.