GOOD NEWS THE UNIVERSITY OF BUENOS AIRES WON THE MACJANNET PRIZE FOR THE GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP 2011

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1 GOOD NEWS THE UNIVERSITY OF BUENOS AIRES WON THE MACJANNET PRIZE FOR THE GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP 2011 The Programa Integral de Acción Comunitaria en Barrios Vulnerables (Integral Program of Community Action in Vulnerable Neighborhoods), developed since 2007 by the Secretary of University Extension and Student Well-Being of the University of Buenos Aires, was recognized with the MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship universities from around the world, all members of the Talloires Network, participated of this initiative. The program offers scholastic assistance to 130 kids, job-training to 50 young adults, training workshops to 60 young adults; working and occupational guidance to 90 citizens, recreational sports to 190 people, and complete health and dental care to 1300 and 150 patients, respectively. Congratulations to the President s Office and the Secretary of Extension of the UBA, and to all the teachers and students that made it possible! FOURTEEN NEW SCHOOLS INCLUDED IN CLAYSS SCHOOLS SUPPORT PROGRAM Starting in May, CLAYSS-Natura s Belive to See Program will support 36 schools, since 10 new participants will be added to the schools that already participated in the past year. Thanks to the Bemberg Foundation, four new rural schools are also being added to the Schools Support Program. As is already custom, the schools will receive funding, faculty professional development courses, and technical assistance in order to strengthen the quality and sustainability of their service-learning projects. Including the 4 schools who were awarded the Price WaterhouseCoopers Award to Education, this year CLAYSS will support a total of 44 kindergarten, primary, and secondary schools in Argentina. TEN UNIVERSITIES PARTICIPATE IN THE UNIVERSITIES SUPPORT PROGRAM CLAYSS began the edition of their Support for Social engagement and Service-learning in Higher Education in Latin America Program. The National University of Río Cuarto (Argentina), 3 Venezuelan Universities (the Catholic Universities of Andrés Bello and Táchira, and the Monteávila University), the National University of El Salvador, and UNITEC of Bogotá (Colombia) will be added to the four Universities who already participated in The first instances of onsite faculty professional development courses in these institutions will take place between next May and June. 1

2 THE FIRST COHORT OF SERVICE-LEARNING DIPLOMA WAS CONCLUDED From the 22nd to the 25th of March, CLAYSS conducted the fifth and last module of the Diploma in Service-Learning, an initiative the University Señor of Sipán begun working on last year. This on-site module was completed in the city of Chiclayo and was led by Prof. Carina Rossa and BA Sebastián Puglisi. Together with the development of the theoretical content planned to give closure the Diploma, the University presented the final service-learning projects of the scholars, which wait to be implemented during the present school year. In this way, they closed the first cohort of the Diplomado, which signified a great advance in the institutional implementation of Service-Learning projects in the University. PRESENTATION OF THE 2010 REPORT OF THE PROGRAM BELIVE TO SEE ( CREER PARA VER ) Tuesday, the 29th of March, Prof. María Nieves Tapia presented the 2010 Report of the Believe to See Program ( Creer para ver ) to 12 managers and employees from the Natura company, situated in Thomas Edison 2659, Martínez, Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 2011, the CLAYSS-Natura alliance will support 36 schools in Argentina through economic resources, scholarships, on-site and on-line faculty professional development courses for teachers and managers, and monthly monitoring of service-learning projects. CLAYSS IN THE UNITED STATES SERVICE-LEARNING CONFERENCE From the 6th to the 8th of April, Nieves Tapia represented CLAYSS at the 22nd National Service-Learning Conference in the United States, organized by NYLC in Atlanta. More than 2,000 people participated in hundreds of workshops and conferences, presentations of school and university experiences, and awards to practices and service leaders. The National Conference also included the attendance of distinguished figures in the educational and social fields, such as Dorothy Cotton (one of Martin Luther King Jr. s associate directors) and Patrick Corvington, Executive Director of the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Conference thanked Jim Kilsmeier, recently retired, for his valuable legacy and offered the opportunity to get to know the new and committed CEO of NYL, Kelita Svoboda Bak. Argentina was also represented by Juan Mallea and Juan Tollo (FLACSO), who were in charge of coordinating a workshop which presented the work of social organizations currently being developed in the Seminar of Service-Learning for foreign students of CIEE-FLACSO, born 5 years ago with teachers from CLAYSS. On Friday April 8 th took place the 11th Meeting of the Iberican- American Service-Learning Network. You can find more information here. 2

3 WORLD FORUM ON SERVICE LEARNING The World Forum took place on Saturday, April 9th, in the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, as part of the 22nd Conference. The leaders from the five continents who attended the Forum analyzed the regional situations of Europe, Africa, and Oriental Asia, and debated diverse themes linked to the promotion of service-learning in the world. Nieves Tapia, CLAYSS Director, coordinated a workshop on Servicelearning as an educational policy, in which thirty people participated actively. She also presented, in the name of Charo Battle, the current situation in service-learning in Spain, and commented experiences of Ireland and Italy in the Europe panel. CLAYSS IN THE NATIONAL MEETING ON EDUCATION AND WORK Thursday, April 28th, BA Martín Ierullo, in the name of CLAYSS, presented on the panel Links to the social-community context in front of 80 representatives of the Provincial Ministries of Education and the Ministry of Labor. The National Meeting on Education and Work was organized by the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security in Argentina. Martín Ierullo presented the pedagogical foundations of servicelearning as theoretical-practical support of the Socio-Community Projects, and presented productive solidarity experiences leaded by students from diverse educational institutions. ACTIVITIES IN RÍO CUARTO FACULTY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT On Thursday 17th and Friday 18th of March, CLAYSS offered a faculty professional development course on Service-Learning and Socio- Community Practices at the National University of Rio Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina, as a part of CLAYSS University Support Program The course was led by Prof. María Nieves Tapia, Director of CLAYSS, along with collaboration and advice from BA. María Rosa Tapia, BA. Isabel Hevia, and other members of CLAYSS team. The attendees included 40 teachers, students and University authorities, who in 2009 decided to incorporate socio-community practices in all degrees. On Thursday 17th the University also organized an open meeting aimed to local schools, with a total of 170 participants between teachers and schools from public high schools. Both events 3

4 had wide repercussions and were covered by the local media of the city of Río Cuarto. CLAYSS pedagogical proposal was issued by Canal Universidad, which belongs to the Natioanl University of Río Cuarto and the newspaper Puntal. FIRST ACTIVITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY SUPPORT PROGRAM IN VENEZUELA On May 2nd and 3rd, CLAYSS conducted the first onsite faculty professional development course of the Monteávila University; followed on May 4th and 5th by the first onsite faculty professional development course of the Andres Bello Catholic University both in the same country. Enrique Ochoa and Sebastian Puglisi carried on these faculty professional development courses for the administration, teachers, student leading projects, and community partners, with the objective of promoting the implementation of servicelearning projects. The Andrés Bello Catholic University, (UCAB), trusted to the Society of Jesus since its foundation 53 years ago, has 19 career degrees and more than 100 postgraduate opportunities in diverse disciplines. The Monteávila University is a young institution founded in 1998 which imparts an integral education in the careers: Social Communication, Administration, Education, and Law. These institutions have therefore joined the National University of Río Cuarto (Argentina), which had the first instance of onsite faculty professional development course last March. PRESENTATION FOR THE LA SALLE FOUNDATION The La Salle Foundation organized the 2011 Meeting-Workshop Create to Grow in the headquarters of the La Salle School of San Martín, Province of Buenos Aires, during the 18th, 19th, and 20th of March, mainly open to the teams of volunteers from the multiple headquarters of the Foundation. In the framework of the meeting, BA Enrique Ochoa offered a conference about the proposal of Service-Learning in schools and social organizations, to over 50 participants. FACULTY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE IN CHILECITO, LA RIOJA On April 19th and 20th, took place a faculty professional development course on service-learning in the Polyvalent Center of Art Prof. Trasobares in Chilecito. The course, lead by Prof. María del Carmen Trincado, was destined for the teachers and the authorities of the institution. The onsite faculty professional development course included, among other activities, a day of work in the neighboring town of Guanchín, where a Vía Crucis restored by the students in collaboration with the local primary school is located. 4

5 YOUTH IN ACTION STUDENTS FROM JUJUY TAKE PART IN A REFORESTATION PLAN Students of kindergarten and primary levels from the Provincial School No. 44 José Ignacio Gorriti, from the city of León, developed a plan of reforestation in public spaces through the recuperation of native plants. The school s objective was to raise awareness in caring for the environment, within the school as well as in the rest of the community. The students carry out a project in class in which they analyze each species and decide which they will plant. With the purpose of reforestation, they look to obtain seeds or small offspring of trees that were born on their sides in order to transplant them later. The project aim is that the students see the importance of creating a culture of defense for the environment as a possibility of bettering the city in which they live. LATIN AMERICAN NETWORK OF SERVICE-LEARNING IBERICAN-AMERICAN NETWORK OF SERVICE-LEARNING MEETING On Friday, April 8th, took place the 11th Iberican-American Network of Service- Learning Meeting. As is already a custom, a videoconference brought the members of the Network together: in Atlanta 20 North American leaders from organizations and universities gathered, among them Silvia Golombek (Vicepresident of Youth Service America), Cary Rositas, from the University of Monterrey (Mexico), and members of the Youth Council of NYLC. From Buenos Aires, a camera allowed the CLAYSS team to participate, and a significant group of members from the Network in Argentina, Chile, Spain, Peru, and Venezuela connected through chat. A panel consisting of Jim Kielsmeier, Andrew Furco (University of Minnesota) and Joe Follman (Learn and Serve America, Florida), offered an overall picture of the challenges and strengths of service-learning in the United States. Nieves Tapia presented the Latin American situation, incorporating contributions from various Network members. THE NORTH AMERICAN CONGRESS CUT OFF FUNDING FOR LEARN & SERVE AMERICA Among the severe cuts for the North American budget agreed on April 8 th, the American Congress included the totality of the 72 million dollars originally destined for Learn & Serve America, the federal service-learning program, as well as drastic reductions to all other service and volunteer programs. The cuts proposed by the Republican majority in the Chamber were validated regardless of the active mobilization of teachers, students, and municipal governments benefitting from the service volunteer programs. The North American colleagues of the Network hope that the vitality of the initiatives will contribute to change this 5

6 decision over time and open new paths to ensure the sustainability of these service-learning experiences. VICE-RECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY SEÑOR OF SIPÁN WAS AWARDED IN THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN S DAY On March 8th, the Vice-rector of Student Matters of the University Señor of Sipán, M.Sc. Susana Toso Noriega, received the decoration Order of Merit of the Woman The recognition was delivered in merit to a life dedicated to promoting women and real access to equal opportunities between men and women. The Decoration Order of Merit of the Woman, delivered annually by the Ministry of Women, was born as a form of offering a just recognition of women s participation in the growth of the country, expressed through their performance in different fields of development. M.Sc. Susana Toso Noriega was elected for her distinguished work in education, academics, and politics. TALLOIRES NETWORK BUENOS AIRES UNIVERSITY PROGRAM, WINNER OF THE MACJANNET PRIZE, ON ARGENTINA S NATIONAL TELEVISION Channel 13 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, presented a brief report about the Integral Program of Community Action in Vulnerable Neighborhoods, developed since 2007 by the Buenos Aires University s Secretary of University Outreach and Student Well-being. The report shows the students engaged in the project, and explains the importance of doing service-learning activities. To watch the video, click here. TALLOIRES LEADERS CONFERENCE IN MADRID The Autonomous University of Madrid will be the host of the next International Conference Building the Engaged University, Moving beyond the Ivory Tower, organized by the Talloires Network. From June 14th to 17th, the meeting will bring together University Directors from all over the world. Education Policy makers, experts in University Social Responsibility, leaders and university representatives from different countries will debate and reflect on the future of Higher Education institutions in their irreversible and unavoidable role in creating an engaged, active and transforming community. The Conference participants will include, among others, the Rectors of the Buenos Aires University, Dr. Rubén Hallú; the General Sarmiento National University, Eduardo Rinesi; the Catholic University of Córdoba, Rafael Velasco, S.J., and the academic director of CLAYSS, Nieves Tapia. During the Conference the Network will announce winners of the III MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship. 6

7 RECENT PUBLICATIONS GUIDE FOR A SEMESTER OF SERVICE To Commemorate the Global Youth Service Day, Youth Service America has launched the 2011 guide for a semester of service. The guide intends to be a tool to help the teachers and other people who work with youth to implement a strategic Service-Learning plan in their communities. To download the guide, you can get it from Youth Service America s link. THE ENGAGED UNIVERSITY: INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON CIVIC ENGAGEMENT Written by David Watson, Susan E. Stroud, Robert Hollister, Elizabeth Babcock, this book offers a historic review and a general assessment of the present-day of civic and social engagement in Universities over the world. The book is divided in three parts: The first is related to the relations between community and university; the second entitled The Engaged University ; and the third part which talks about an engaged university movement. For more information, go here. FINAL REPORT OF THE 9TH WORLDWIDE CONFERENCE OF IANYS The final report has the objective of presenting the diverse contributions of the participants and speakers in the conference, summarizing the fundamental aspects and the themes discussed, and putting in focus the future steps in key areas in order to promote the impact and success of youth service and the civic participation in communities throughout the world. The report is divided into five chapters, which describe in detail the main conclusions reached in the following five areas: a) creation of an environment that promotes youth participation; b) youth service and a transition to the adult age; c) the contribution to development and peace; d) evaluation of youth service s impact; e) contributions of IANYS to the needs of the field. To download the document: this link. THE COMMUNITY AS A RESOURCE FOR LEARNING - AN ANALYSIS OF ACADEMIC SERVICE-LEARNING IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION IN: THE NATURE OF LEARNING. USING RESEARCH TO INSPIRE PRACTICE. Written by Andrew Furco. Edited by Hanna Dumont, David Istance, Francisco Benavides. OCDE, Centre for Educational Research and Innovation. What do we know about people s learning process? How do youth s motivations and emotions influence their learning? These and other questions are addressed by recognized intellectuals in the education field, among which is Andrew Furco who analyses service-learning in middle education. This work was compiled by a team of researchers convened by the Centre for Educational Research and Innovation of the OCDE, and is available in English and French in the following link. 7