A Wild Start to The 18th Annual National Service-Learning Conference's Second Day

On March 29, the second day of The 18th Annual National Service-Learning Conference got off to a wild start, as legendary paleontologist Jane Goodall greeted attendees with a chimpanzee call. "I want to bring the voice of the natural world, the voice of the chimpanzees," she told the crowd at her morning keynote address.

The United Nations Messengers of Peace and founder of The Jane Goodall Institute moved and inspired the audience of more than 2,000, raising her concerns for the future and issuing a call to action. Noting that humans have developed a remarkable intellect, unmatched in the animal kingdom, she asked, "How is it that this remarkably intellectual species is causing such destruction to the planet?"

She talked about founding Roots & Shoots — a youth-driven, global network of more than 8,000 groups in almost 100 countries — in response to finding a growing number of youths who were angry at the broken world they inherited and felt there was nothing they could do about it. The program has helped young people channel their energy into their communities, and Goodall said she finds hope for the future in the courageous ways young people are changing the world.

"If we get together and join hand and hearts in the presence of the Great Spirit," she said, "there is hope for the future."

Attendees filled the rest of their day from a choice of activities. Many made their way to service projects, working with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity; the Albuquerque Aquarium and Botanical Gardens; and La Plazita Bario Youth Corps, which provides a much-needed service for elderly residents in the South Valley area. Others spent their day attending workshops from a broad range of presenters.

The day was also a milestone for two NYLC initiatives: NYLC's efforts to recognize advanced service-learning practitioners came to fruition as a pilot of its new certification program came to completion, and seven practitioners received the Certificate of Excellent Practice in K-12 Service-Learning. And Y-RISE: The Service-Learning and HIV/AIDS Initiative saw the first complete draft of its peer-education curriculum distributed for the first time.

The day wrapped up with a choice of two evening venues — The National Hispanic Cultural Center and The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Guests at the first site were able to attend the annual Gathering of Elders. There, four elders from different ethnic backgrounds — African American, European American, American Indian, and Asian American — brought their own cultural perspectives to the topic of service. Attendees also got to see storytellers and dancers, and learn traditional Pueblo bread-making. Over at The National Hispanic Cultural Center, the night was filled with flamenco dancing, crafts, and a stunning performance by the Tortuga Project, a mash-up of Aztec dancing, break dancing, urban poetry, flute, and rap. Crowds at both sites were treated to a hot air balloon glow.