Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) presides over the 12th Service-Learning Asia Network (SLAN) Business Meeting in a hybrid format on 02 October 024, hosted by the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) in Singapore and accessible via Zoom. Representatives from institutions across Asia, including the Philippines, India, Taiwan, Japan, and Hong Kong, convened to discuss pressing matters on service-learning in the Asia Pacific region.
Mr. Jopriz Bueno from the Service Learning Program (SLP) of the Arrupe Office of Social Formation of the Ateneo de Davao University facilitated the in-person as he welcomed the attendees in different countries, shared the rationale of the meeting, and congratulated SUSS on its 10th SLP anniversary in Singapore. Dr. Apple Grace Ybanez, Coordinator of the Service Learning Program, led the online participants, emphasized the importance of the gathering, and introduced representatives from participating institutions across Asia. The Secretariat shared a brief history of SLAN, highlighting its significant role in fostering regional service-learning.
The Service-Learning Asia Network (SLAN), initiated in 2004 with support from the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia, was founded under the International Christian University’s (Japan) leadership. Its goal is to promote student exchanges, faculty research, curriculum development, and program evaluation among Asian institutions involved in Service-Learning. SLAN fosters cross-national collaboration and idea-sharing to advance the pedagogy in the region. In January 2024, Ateneo de Davao University (Philippines) assumed the Secretariat role, marking a key milestone in SLAN’s efforts to strengthen Service-Learning across Asia.
The ultimate aim of the meeting is to strengthen collaboration, greater participation, and inclusivity through its rotational and shared leadership principles, which all member schools can partake in. ADDU proposed reestablishing structures and systems to attain this collective goal. During the gathering, the participants revisited the SLAN by-laws and proposed amendments, discussed the formation of a core committee, and proposed establishing its respective commissions. The meeting continued with discussions on SLAN activities, focusing on the benefits of membership and website development. The participants suggested establishing a core committee of seven members, with one representative per country, to ensure balanced representation.
Ateneo de Davao University presented the plans for the upcoming 10th Asia Pacific Regional Conference for Service-Learning (APRCSL), to be hosted by the said university in Davao City, Philippines, in 2025. Conference themes, program structures, and speaker suggestions were discussed, with participants expressing eagerness to ensure the event’s success. All member institutions will ratify the proposed by-law amendments during the business meeting at this coming conference. The meeting concluded with announcing the results of the SLAN logo vote. The Secretariate unveiled the design by Mr. Gabriel Undag from the Arrupe Office of Social Formation, who won the selection process, explaining its elements and symbolism.
Ms. Shela Mae Jaso, Director of the Arrupe Office of Social Formation, made inspiring closing remarks and highlighted gratitude and the importance of continued international collaboration with a sense of love, compassion, and empathy, especially for the peripheries and marginalized sectors of society.
The meeting ended with a networking break, photo opportunities, and the presentation of certificates, marking another successful gathering of the Service-Learning Asia Network.
Article and Photos by the Arrupe Office of Social Formation (Mr. Jopriz M. Bueno)
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