2024 IARSLCE Asia-Pacific Conference X International Conference on Service-Learning (只有英文版本)

We are excited to announce the 2024 IARSLCE Asia-Pacific Conference (APC) X International Conference on Service-Learning (ICSL) to be hosted in Hong Kong on 3 – 6 December 2024. This event is a collaborative effort by the International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement (IARSLCE) Asia-Pacific Community of Practice (APCoP) and the Service-Learning and Leadership Office (SLLO) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). This event also marks the 1^st IARSLCE APC and the 5^th ICSL.

The conference theme is: Service-Learning in Asia-Pacific Contexts. In light of the rapidly growing pedagogy of service-learning in Asia-Pacific, it is crucial to review and enhance the integration of service-learning with regular curricula and research endeavors. By specifying ‘Asia-Pacific Contexts’, we acknowledge the plurality within the region, which is comprised by various cultural, social, and contextual nuances across different countries and communities. This conference aims to illuminate the rich cultural heritage and diverse communities in Asia-Pacific contexts that contribute to the distinctive approaches and practices of service-learning in this region.  By emphasizing and strengthening the connection between Asia-Pacific and the global community, this conference seeks to explore how service-learning can effectively contribute to addressing different global issues and objectives, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The success of service-learning programmes heavily relies on the commitment and collaboration between faculty members and community engagement professionals. In today's academic landscape, faculty members often face immense pressure to excel in teaching, research, and various institutional services. In driving the development of service-learning, it is crucial to engage faculty members by demonstrating the potential benefits and impacts that this pedagogy can bring to the students, the community, and themselves. Additionally, providing training and implementation support is essential to enhance faculty members' efficacy in incorporating service-learning into the curricula and research.

Similarly, community engagement professionals also confront a multitude of priorities and pressing issues due to the ever-changing policies, resources, and needs. To ensure the success and development of service-learning in this context, continuous dialogues are imperative to foster understanding among different stakeholders and facilitate collaborative efforts in addressing community needs through service-learning initiatives.

Therefore, we invite researchers, educators, practitioners, community engagement professionals, and students who are interested in a scholarly and evidence-based approach to service-learning to contribute to this significant dialogue by submitting proposals that align with the conference theme. By joining this conference, you will have the opportunity to engage with key stakeholders, exchange ideas, and explore potential partnerships that can drive the advancement and collaboration in service-learning research and programmes!