NSLC: The largest gathering of youths and practitioners from the service-learning movement.

The 18th National Service Learning Conference kicked off with New Mexican flair when the attendees received a mariachi welcome at the Albuquerque Convention Center.  The Conference opened at 4pm on March 28, and the energy of the six-person Mariachi band quickly transferred to the eager participants of the conference.   Also inspiring, was the opening message from David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, who emphasized the importance of valuing youths as assets, rather than simply as beneficiaries of service.

"If we're not able to engage our citizens in helping their own communities," Eisner told the crowd, "then we're not going to be able to bring the kind of sustainable change that we need."

This year’s Shinnyo-en Youth attendees Chi-fen, Ami, Michelle, Noriko Y, Noriko, Katrina, Daisuke, and Tomo enthusiastically joined the 3,000 participants and made their choices from over 200 workshops and seminars to learn more about Service Learning.  Shinnyo-en staff Haru, Liane, Bryan, and Mariko went straight to work setting up the booth, getting ready for presentations, and learning about service learning projects all over the country.

For the first time this year the Conference offered a spiritual tract and the Foundation played their part by taking part in workshops and Forums.  The Six Billion Paths to Peace, with Haru, Liane and Maura was a big hit and had more than 60 participants attending. 

The second day of the conference got off to an exciting start, as legendary paleontologist Jane Goodall greeted attendees.  She talked about founding Roots & Shoots, to help young people channel their energy into their communities, and Goodall said that she found hope for the future in the courageous ways young people are changing the world.

Noriko Young says “I was reminded of the importance of education as I learned about animal protection.   To be successful it is necessary to not just know about the animals, but an in depth understanding of the country, the region, the climate, the people, and the environment.  So much information is necessary to set up a plan for a project.  Researchers are needed, as well as those who teach, and those who learn the information to implement the project.  Everyone learns together to serve a cause.”

The day wrapped up with everyone going to The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, where the youth and Foundation staff attended the annual Gathering of Elders. There, four elders from different ethnic backgrounds — African American, European American, American Indian, and Asian American — brought their own cultural perspectives to the topic of service. Attendees also got to see storytellers and dancers, and learn about traditional Pueblo bread-making.

It was truly an inspiring three days for all those in attendance and refueled the level of energy and commitment to support, maintain, and further service-learning.

(Left) Ami Hirota, Noriko Kawashima, and Katharina Keitel sit during a workshop.

 

(Right)Tomonari Ito and a fellow participant talk during a workshop.

 

(Left) Noriko Young and Katharina Keitel discuss service learning during a break.

(Right) Shinnyo-en Youth listen intently during a workshop at the conference.

 

(Left) Harumitsu Inouye, Executive Director of the Shinnyo-en Foundation, talks about service learning.

(Right) Liane Louie Badua, Program Officer of the Shinnyo-en Foundation, leads a discussion during a workshop.

 

(Left) Mariko Terazaki, Communications Manager at the Shinnyo-en Foundation, displays a visual during a presentation

(Right) Shinnyo-en Foundation staff and Shinnyo-en Youth stop by the Six Billion Paths to Peace booth. 

> View Panels & Workshops Archive