CLAYSS Celebrates its 10th Anniversary

On February 26th, CLAYSS celebrated its 10th anniversary. For all of us who form a part of this team, it was a moment of celebration, reflection, and above all, gratitude. We would like to thank all of the educators and students who let us accompany them on millions of actions of community service which make Latin America into a more just and fraternal society. We would also like to thank all those who have helped us over the past ten years to plant the seeds of service-learning in Latin America and other parts of the world. We especially appreciate all shows of support that have come to us through our social networks. (See more)

CLAYSS was born 10 years ago as a proof of resilience during the very difficult economical crisis in Argentina between 2001 and 2002. It seems almost incredible that this small group of people without money or an office managed to create a regional organization which now supports almost 50 Argentinian schools and 11 Latin American universities; which has conducted faculty professional development courses to more than 30.000 teachers, students, educational authorities and NGO leaders; and which has supported service-learning projects developed in schools and universities reaching out to more than half a million people all over Latin America.

International Service-Learning Conference Celebrates 15 Years This August

To continue the celebration, the International Service-Learning Conference will celebrate its 15th Anniversary this year. The conference was started by the Argentine Department of Education in 1997 and is now organized by CLAYSS and the Organization of Ibero-American States. This year, the conference will take place on the 23rd and 24th of August at the School of Economical Sciences at the University of Buenos Aires, and will be preceded by the second Ibero-American service-learning research symposium, which we will have more information on soon. You can find the agenda of our International Week of Service-Learning here.

More Schools and a New Book about the “Believe to See” Program

The support program “Believe to See,” which CLAYSS developed with Nature Cosmetics, will add ten new schools this year, bringing the total number of supported schools to 45, with at least one school in every Argentine province.

To celebrate the first four years of the program, a book has just been published which details service learning projects at seven of the schools supported by the “Believe to See” program. The book, “Seven Inspiring Stories of Education,” can be downloaded or read online here.

In Memory of Donald Eberly (1928-2011)

All of us who had the privilege to know Don deeply mourn his death on December 25th, 2011. Eberly was a tireless leader and promoter of service-learning at a worldwide level. One of the driving forces and first officials of the North American Peace Corps, throughout his life he gave impetus to numerous institutions who paved the way for the social engagement of youth, like IANYS, the International Association for National Youth Service.

CLAYSS owes him an enormous debt of gratitude. It was because of his generous support that in 1993 Nieves Tapia could first come in contact with the proposal of service-learning in the United States, and be integrated into the international network of IANYS in 1998. Eberly supported CLAYSS just after its creation so that it could organize the 6th World Conference of IANYS in the agitated Buenos Aires of 2002. We will miss his passion, his serene lucidity, and his ever-youthful sense of initiative, but his memory will always be present.

To learn more about Donald Eberly in Spanish, click here; for English, click here.
To download his article in Spanish, “Prosociality and Service-Learning,” written with Roberto Roche for the 6th World Conference of IANYS, click here.

Students from Chaco Promote Health

In 2006, the students from High School No. 15, “José Hernández,” in Barranqueras, Chaco Province, started the “Agentes multiplicadores promotores de salud” program. Its objectives were to promote, prepare and transform the students into a sickness and disease prevention group.

Under this educational project, the Natural Sciences students meet weekly with health professionals, and receive specific training in a variety of health-related fields. Afterwards, they spread the word about preventive health care in their community, giving speeches on healthy practices to their neighbors. They also carry out initiatives with social service organizations such as the Red Cross, the road maintenance department, and the local hospital. You can see pictures of their activities on Picasa.

Nieves Tapia Gives Lecture on Service-Learning to Principals of Catholic Schools

On Monday, February 6th, the Regional Board of Catholic Education of the Bishopric of San Isidro held the fourth “Encuentro Diocesano de Directores.” Nieves Tapia conducted a lecture on the pedagogy of service-learning to 300 educational authorities at Colegio Marín. In the lecture, Nieves Tapia referred to some essential aspects of service-learning and described service-learning programs that have been implemented throughout the country. Photos of the lecture are posted here.

Ten Years of Opción Venezuela

We want to congratulate with all of our heart our friends and colleagues at “Opción Venezuela,” with whom we share our tenth anniversary this year. To Félix Ríos and the whole team, we wish you a wonderful year! You can read more about Opción Venezuela at http://www.opcionvenezuela.org

Global Youth Service Day

Several organizations in the Ibero-American network participate annually in this celebration, which will take place in April of this year. For this event, YSA has created a website so that all groups of young volunteers participating can share their experiences on a world map of initiatives. You can register your activities at http://www.gysd.org/register.

Organizations Meet to Promote Law of Volunteerism in the Dominican Republic

Our colleagues at Sirve Quisqueya, with the support of Alianza ONG and other organizations, convened on February 22nd to discuss with local leaders the possibility of promoting a Law of Volunteerism. This act would recognize and encourage the work of volunteering organizations and volunteers at the national level. During the meeting they presented a draft of the Law of Volunteerism, exchanged views, and reviewed the comments of organizations participating in the meeting.
http://www.impulsar.org/2012/02/24/realizan-consulta-ejecutiva-del-anteproyecto-de-ley-de-voluntariado

New Director of Programs and Research Apointed

Since December 2011, Dr. Lorlene Hoyt has been in charge of the administration and coordination of programs that had previously been under the direction of the Network Coordinator. She will lead the design and implementation of new initiatives. She will also coordinate the management of a work plan and communications with network members, and will support the Steering Committee and the work groups.

At the same time, Rob Hollister, Rob Hollister, current Dean Emeritus and professor at Tufts University, has taken on the role of Network Director. http://www.tufts.edu/talloiresnetwork/?pid=275&c=74

April 11-14: 23rd Annual National Service-Learning Conference. Minneapolis. EEUU.
April 20-22: Global Youth Service Day
August 20-25: 9th International Week of Service-Learning Buenos Aires, Argentina. Organized by CLAYSS.
August 23-24: 15th International Service-Learning Conference  Buenos Aires, Argentina.