9th International Week of Service-Learning in August 2012 in Buenos Aires

CLAYSS invites everyone to participate in the 9th International Week of Service-Learning, from August 20th to 24th, 2012. As usual, in the first days of the International Conference, CLAYSS will offer special activities tailored for our foreign visitors, as well as the schools and universities that CLAYSS supports. The agenda for the 9th International Week of Service-Learning can be downloaded here.

Sign up for the 15th International Service-Learning Conference is already open

The Conference will take place on August 23rd and 24th, 2012, at the Economical Sciences School at the Universidad de Buenos Aires. The event has been declared of educative interest by the Ministry of Education and the University of Buenos Aires. As in previous years, we will be joined by prominent specialists, and there will be activities addressing schools, universities, and youth and social organizations.
You can sign up for the activities downloading the form available here before August 10th, 2012. Participation is open and free to all. A tentative agenda of activities can be downloaded here, and more information can be found on our web site. Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@clayss.org.

2nd Service-Learning Research Symposium

IWith the aim of continuing the work of the first symposium in 2004, CLAYSS is organizing the 2nd Service-Learning Research Symposium at the Economical Sciences School at the University of Buenos Aires, on August 22nd, 2012, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
CLAYSS has offered the possibility of submitting papers related to recent advances in the service-learning field, be it theoretical reflections, or regarding the systematization, evaluation, measurement of impact, and case studies related to institutional programs or specific service-learning practices. We are currently working on evaluating the submitted papers.
More information here.

CLAYSS in Malaysia

Professor Nieves Tapia was invited to present the Latin American service-learning experience at the Regional Conference on Higher Education-Community-Industry Engagement, organized by the National University of Malaysia. The Conference took place on May 7th to 9th at the University’s campus in Kuala Lumpur. Approximately 150 people attended the event, representing universities and civil society organizations from Malaysia and other countries in the ASEAN region: Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand; in addition to representatives from Australia, Great Britain, and international NGOs.

During the Regional Conference on Higher Education-Community-Industry Engagement, Professor Tapia conducted a workshop on curricular design and community practices. 40 university professors participated actively of this activity. She was also one of the main speakers in the plenary.

Her presentation was received with great interest, as there aren’t many projects in the region currently articulating academic activities with community engagement. However, there are some countries -such as Singapore- which have incorporated service-learning as part of their education policies.

Aside from rather significant cultural differences, the participants found many points in common with the Latin American experience. Many of their universities have been working on institutional community engagement programs, producing a big impact on their communities’ quality of life, and on fields such as alphabetization, health and environmental protection, promotion of productive entrepreneurship and the struggle against poverty.

With high participation from university leaders responsible for social commitment, and from teachers that are currently developing social projects, the conference marked the launch of the new “Asia Engage” Network, composed of universities with civic and social commitment programs in Southeast Asia.

CLAYSS’s participation marked the beginning of what we hope will be a fruitful dialogue “South-South” between the Southeast Asian network and the Ibero-American Service-Learning network.

You can download the presentations at the Conference’s web site: http://conference2012.asiaengage.org/

You can also view a special report published by the world news service on higher education “University World News” here: http://www.universityworldnews.com/specialreports/index.php?action=view&report=13

Free Seminars on “Educational Quality and Social Inclusion”

The Seminars took place over the months of May and June, and were organized by the Grupo BBVA Banco Francés. CLAYSS provided academic assistance, coordinating the activities first hand. More than 300 people participated in these events where renowned speakers, such as former Minister of Education Juan Carlos Tedesco, or current National Director of High School Education Virginia Vázquez Gamboa, reflected on the present and future of educational quality and social inclusion. The Seminars had a positive reception amongst the participants, who valued the ideas and good practices presented.

You can find some videos from the Seminars here. BBVA Bank will publish the minutes before the end of the year which will be available on the BBVA website as well as in CLAYSS website.

Mandatory Service-Learning at the University of Buenos Aires starting 2013

In accordance to a resolution from the Superior Council of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), beginning on 2013 students from all careers will have to participate in mandatory educative community-engagement practices before they obtain their degree.
Students will have to account for at least 40 hours of community-engagement practices during the course of their studies. As said by the President of the University, Rubén Hallu, “production of knowledge in a university should contemplate the peculiarities of the society surrounding it, being able to identify issues and challenges, offering feasible answers, putting into practice direct actions and producing feedback in order to develop new contents.”
If you wish to know more about this initiative you can look up:
- The Resolution of the Superior Council of the UBA: http://www.uba.ar/archivos_uba/2010-05-26_520.pdf 
- The Declarations of the President, Mr. Hallu: http://www.uba.ar/comunicacion/detalle_nota.php?id=7815 
- The article published on May 22nd by national newspaper Clarín: http://www.clarin.com/sociedad/educacion/titulo_0_704929571.html

Institutions from the School Support Program were awarded in the "What is new in my soil?" Contest

Two institutions currently participating in CLAYSS’s School Support Program 2012, were awarded in the contest organized by Nidera “What is new in my soil?” Over 500 kids from 55 schools participated in this initiative.

The Agrotechnical School #2 from Misión San Francisco in Laishi, Formosa, was awarded first place along with another three institutions. The jury also granted a special mention to the Agrotechnical School #733 from Bryn Gwyn, Chubut. The objective of this year’s edition was for each agrotechnical school to conduct a soil fertilization test, going from initial soil analysis to the interpretation of the final results obtained.

Carlos Montes, an agronomist from the Agrotechnical School #2 highlighted the possibility of “developing a technology able to supply the region with corn for stock, since we live in a very poor area.” The work conducted by students, along with teachers, authorities and community allies, helped them obtain new knowledge in order to: http://www.nidera.com.ar/Nidera/noticias.aspx?id=69

University Support Program 2012: CLAYSS in Colombia, Chile and Venezuela

Second stage of support for UNITEC in Bogota.

As part of the Latin American Universities Support Program, CLAYSS conducted the second stage of onsite training for the University Corporation UNITEC from Bogota, on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 of May, 2012. In this opportunity CLAYSS was represented by María Rosa Tapia and Sebastián Puglisi, who carried on a two-day onsite training at the university’s headquarters for a total of 35 professors. CLAYSS team visited the site, Altos de Cazucá, where they could observe the impact of the student’s work and their teachers. CLAYSS also participated in a meeting with authorities from the University Corporation, including its President, Carlos Eduardo Rodríguez Pulido, as well as  his Academic and Administrative Vice-Presidents, and the Director of Interinstitutional Relations and Special Projects, Guillermo Rizo. The participants of this meeting discussed multiple ways to institutionalize service-learning practices, as the university is currently working on renovating its curricular design.

The University Support Program begins in Chile

The Silva Henriquez University in Santiago de Chile

On May 14th and 15th, Daniel Giorgetti and Giuliana Filipponi carried out the first onsite training of the Universities Support Program at the Catholic University Silva Herníquez (UCSH) in Santiago de Chile. This activity had over 40 participants, including authorities, teaching staff, students and community associates who have been working on service-learning projects alongside the University. The trainers, teaching staff and students created a good working environment with constant interaction.
If you wish to visit the University’s website to see more information regarding the training you can do it here.

The Catholic University from Temuco.

Gustavo Genusso and Nieves Tapia conducted the first onsite training of the Universities Support Program at the Catholic University of Temuco, located in the Araucanía region, and nurtured with an enthusiastic group of authorities, teaching staff and students. From Mayo 28th to 29th there was also an open conference leaded by Prof. Tapia, which included a speech given by the University’s President to almost one hundred participants.

The university has a high percentage of students who are the first in their family to have access to higher education. Located in a region strongly influenced by the Mapuche culture, the university has developed active social engagement and intercultural dialogue promotion policies. Given this framework, the new President considers the promotion of service-learning to be one of the priorities of his tenure.

CLAYSS is currently accompanying this process through its Universities Support Program, having developed the following activities:
 
• Onsite faculty professional development course for authorities, teaching staff and students
It had active participation from 30 teachers and students, representing multiple careers, as well as many deans and authorities from multiple areas of the University. All through the workshop the participants had the opportunity to analyze in depth the fundamental notions behind the pedagogical proposal of service-learning; to participate in reflection workshops dealing with the practices already put into action; and to present some of the service-learning projects already being put to action by the Veterinary and Agronomy Schools, as well as from the Christian and Human Education area.

• Open seminar for the community
An open seminar was conducted by Prof. Tapia on May 28th with more than a hundred teachers, students and community leaders participating, as well as teachers from other universities in the region. The topic of the seminar was “the university willing to serve society: the contribution of service-learning”.

The meeting opened with a speech from the President of the Catholic University of Temuco, Aliro Bórquez Ramírez. He highlighted the importance of service-learning, considering the active social commitment policies which are characteristic to the University. He also pointed out that during his tenure -which started only a week before this activity- this will be one of its priorities.

• Breakfast with the Extension Vice-President and Deans
On May 29th CLAYSS team had breakfast with the Extension and International Relations Vice-President, David Figueroa Hernández, as well as ten deans and other authorities from the University. The meeting provided a medium to discuss possible strategies to implement service-learning practices on an institutional level. The institution hopes to transform service-learning into a university wide transversal policy, as well as strengthen the projects already being carried out.

More information at: http://www.uctemuco.cl/boletin/index.php?op=ver_noticia&idn=2770

The University Support Program closes its Second Stage in Venezuela

The Monteavila University in Caracas

The first development course was conducted at the Monteavila University, on June 18th and 19th. 17 university professors, already committed with service-learning practices, participated actively in this activity applying the knowledge obtained over the past two years. They were very interested in furthering these training instances in order to improve the existing projects, replicate them and provide them with an institutional stronghold.

The Andres Bello Catholic University in Caracas

The second development course took place at the Andres Bello Catholic University on June 20th and 21st. It welcomed 41 participants, including authorities, Community Service Coordinators, members from other universities, as well as volunteers and staff participating in service-learning projects. CLAYSS representatives highlighted the presence of an enthusiastic, receptive and well organized work team, able to generate very good projects (which they hope to make more visible in the future). As part of the program, CLAYSS professionals visited service-learning projects being conducted on marginal areas of the city where the Andres Bello University has been working for a long time.

CLAYSS offers training and technical assistance to the National University of Chile

CLAYSS offers training and technical assistance to the National University of Chile

As part of the technical assistance program being offered by CLAYSS to the University of Chile in order to institutionalize service-learning practices. CLAYSS representatives participated in a series of activities coordinated by the Eje de Formación Ciudadana (Department for Citizenry Encouragement) at the University. From May 30th to June 1st, our director, María Nieves Tapia, and the International Programs Coordinator, Enrique Ochoa, participated in an International Service-Learning Meeting which included site visits in Paine. Adjunct vice-president of public commitment at the University of Minnesota, Andrew Furco, also participated in the event. SEE MORE >>
As part of the technical assistance program being offered by CLAYSS to the University of Chile in order to institutionalize service-learning practices. CLAYSS representatives participated in a series of activities coordinated by the Eje de Formación Ciudadana (Department for Citizenry Encouragement) at the University. This initiative is supported by OAS Fund for Horizontal Co-operation.
From May 30th to June 1st, our director, María Nieves Tapia, and the International Programs Coordinator, Enrique Ochoa, participated in many activities dealing with training and service-learning promotion.
Among these activities we should name the International Service-Learning Meeting, organized by the Economics and Business School. Andrew Furco (Associate Vice-President for Public Engagement at the University of Minnesota) and Nieves Tapia were the main speakers of the event.
CLAYSS team was also able to participate in a series of site visits in Paine, where the University of Chile has been working with local schools to put service-learning projects into action.

Schools Support Program 2012: May and June activities

Over the past few months CLAYSS visited multiple institutions participating in the Schools Support Program 2012, offering faculty professional development courses and technical assistance.
On May, our representative Alejandro Gimelli conducted the first On-Site Technical Assistance Workshop at School No. 6 “Provincia de Entre Ríos”, located in Lago Escondido, Province of Tierra del Fuego, where he provided support to project conducted by the institution.
From June 8th to 11th, CLAYSS provided faculty professional development courses at the National School “Bartolome Mitre”, from San Miguel de Tucuman, and at the Commercial School “Banda del Río Salí”, from the city Banda del Rio Sali. Both schools are located in the Province of Tucuman
On June 18th and 19th our staff travelled to the Province of Entre Ríos to provide the same development courses to another two schools: the Agrotechnical School #2, from Villaguay; and the School #44 “Enrique Berduc”, from Parana.
Finally, on June 29th, the Multipurpose Educative Center “Prof. Roberto Trasovares”, from Chilecito, Province of La Rioja, welcomed the CLAYSS team. The same day, the School #36 from Zapala, Province of Neuquen, participated in an onsite technical assistance workshop.

On-site Training in La Salle-Jobson, Santa Fé

CLAYSS was in Santa Fé, in the Escuela La Salle-Jobson, where María Rosa Tapia led a training workshop on June 1st on the theoretical grounds of service-learning.
60 people were present, including authorities, teachers and tutors working with children from 5th grade of primary school through 5th year of secondary school. The attendees found the presented cases very useful, as they allowed them to visualize what their own students could achieve and what they could improve in their projects. They were also motivated to participate in new projects.

2012 Online Courses

The first set of CLAYSS’s 2012 online courses is currently working at full speed with three courses: “Service Learning in Higher Education,” “Development of Service-Learning Projects,” and “Development of Service-Learning Projects for Teachers at ORT Technical Schools.” 73 participants from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela are currently, and will be for 5 months, developing their service-learning skills to strengthen existing projects and implement new ones in all education levels.
To request a personalized training program for your institution or to obtain information about online courses starting in September, email info@clayss.org.ar

Happy birthday to Opción Venezuela!

From CLAYSS, on behalf of the whole Network, we wish to congratulate Opción Venezuela for 10 years of hard work. We wish you a happy birthday and extend our support to Félix Ríos and all his team!
To know more: http://www.OpcionVenezuela.org and http://facebook.com/OpcionVenezuela

News from "El Chajá" in Uruguay

El Chajá, Training and Rural Culture Center finished the second edition of their online course on service pedagogy. All training materials were developed in collaboration with CLAYSS.
10 teachers from rural schools in Flores participated from this course. The local Inspectorate of Education assisted the coordinators of the event, who also worked cooperatively with Soledad Pereira, the person responsible of Rural Schools in the district.
Teachers participated in all the activities with enthusiasm, creatively analyzing all possible means to integrate the pedagogical proposal of service-learning to their institutions, and how to promote it in the region.

13th Meeting of the Ibero-American Service-Learning Network

The 13th Meeting of the Ibero-American Service-Learning Network will take place on Saturday, August 25th from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm at CLAYSS’s new headquarters at Yapeyú 283 in the City of Buenos Aires. Institutions interested in joining the network or participating in the meeting should contact Paula Basílico.

The Universidad Veracruzana wins the McJannet2012 Prize

The Talloires Network awarded first place for the 2012 McJannet Prize to the Universidad Veracruzana in Mexico for its Community Connection Programs. The University was the only winning Latin-American institution in this round of the prize.
With this program, the University sought to improve professional training for students, enrich education programs, and increase the social relevancy and participation of the University.
For more information: http://www.uv.mx/vincula/vin_social/
If you would like to know more about the winners of the 2012 McJannet Prize, more information can be found here: http://www.tufts.edu/talloiresnetwork/?pid=312

Summer Workshop for Members of the Talloires Network

The Talloires Network and the Kettering Foundation are collaborating on a new initiative: a summer workshop for 12 leaders of civic commitment programs in the Talloires Network. The workshop will take place in Dayton, Ohio (United States) from Monday, July 23rd through Wednesday, July 25th, 2012, and will include representation from Latin America. CLAYSS helped three Latin American representatives from the Network who will participate in the meeting: Magdalena Jara (Universidad Católica of Chile), Claudia Mora Motto (Universidad Javeriana de Cali, Colombia), and Ernesto Benavidez Ornelas (Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey, México).

• August 20-24: 9º International Week of Service-Learning. Buenos Aires, Argentina. 
• August 21: Visiting program to service-learning projects at higher education institutions and schools.
• August 22: 2º Service-Learning Research Symposium. 
• August 23-24: 15º International Service-Learning Conference.

• September 19th – 20th: “Universities for skills, entrepreneurship, innovation & growth.” Round table organized by the OECD in Paris.