Latin-American Service-Learning Successes Celebrated in Argentina

On August 29, more than 1,000 students, educators, and professionals from a dozen countries convened in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to kick off the10th Annual Service-Learning Week. With service-learning implemented by at least 13,500 educational institutions in Argentina and included in national educational legislation, Buenos Aires provided a compelling backdrop for this international convention.

"This is the country that I want," said Argentinean Vice President Daniel Sciolo, as he presented the Presidential Award for Service-Learning to more than 40 schools.

There was a buzz of activity surrounding Service-Learning Week, including an International Service-Learning Seminar and a forum for the exchange of ideas amongst K-12 schools, universities, and NGOs. The Talliores Network, a Tufts University-led organization of presidents and administrators from universities in 23 countries, also met during the week to engage Latin American universities in this international civic engagement network.

The week also included a meeting of the Ibero-American Network, a network of service-learning organizations whose membership is primarily based in Latin America, but also includes European and North American organizations. Participants, including NYLC, discussed strategies for international collaboration on service-learning projects.

"We are proud to be a part of this annual gathering, which in a brief decade, has grown to include impressive service-learning programs from across Latin America," said NYLC President and CEO James Kielsmeier, who presented at the event.

The Argentinean service-learning organization CLAYSS (Centro Latinoamericano de Aprendizaje y Servicio Solidario) hosted the Service-Learning Week, with leadership from Maria Nieves Tapia of the Argentina Ministry of Education.