2024 IARSLCE APC x ICSL
Message from the Chair
 

This conference is the confluence of two currents in the world-wide community of Service-Learning.  One is the meeting of minds from the Asia-Pacific region to strengthen the scholarship of Service-Learning across the region.  The other is the increasing internationalization - specifically IARSLCE reaching out to the Asia-Pacific community.   

Our region has a wide range of diverse countries, languages, ethnic groups, religions, political-economic systems and heritages.  We also practice a variety of forms of Service-Learning-related educational pedagogies across the region. Some are credit-bearing but others are not. Some are compulsory but others are voluntary.  Some are part of the curriculum but others may be extra-curricular. Some may be conflated with other pedagogies such as placement, internship, labor education, etc.  Many programs are influenced by the American experience but found that adaptations have to be made to fit the local environment.  More and more are feeling the need for enhanced academic rigor and research specific to the diverse situations in the region.  The International Conference on Service-Learning (ICSL) is a series of international conferences organized by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), roughly once every two years since 2014, as a platform for the presentation of scholarly work in Service-Learning, and in general, the promotion of research in Service-Learning across the region.  

On the other hand, IARSLCE represents the largest global gathering dedicated to research in Service-Learning.  Perhaps for historical reasons, the vast majority of participants in IARSLCE has long been coming from North America.  Hence the attention of the group tends to be focused on issues in that context.  In recent years, however, IARSLCE has actively been reaching out towards other parts of the world, to honour the “international” in its name. For example, Prof. Andrew Furco has been leading a tremendous multi-year effort to develop a collective research agenda for the global community, and many among us have already participated in some of the meetings held around the world for that purpose. At the virtual IARSLCE conference in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a gathering of participants from the Asia-Pacific region, with roughly 20 participants online.  It was evident from the discussion that there was a will in continuing the dialogue.  Hence was born the Asia-Pacific Community of Practice (APCoP of IARSLCE).  

APCoP found ourselves right in the confluence of the two currents. On the one hand, the increasing academic rigor in the region, and on the other, the increasing integration of the international community.  APCoP has been organizing a number of online workshops, through which representatives from universities and organisations from a wide range of countries in the region have presented their work. From the participation and discussions, it was sensed a growing urge to communicate, compare experiences, do better research, publish, and grow as a community. One thing led to another, and this conference is born.  It is hope that the conference (and future incarnations) can become a productive platform to promote scholarly work specific to our region, while also linked to the global agenda.  Looking at it from another perspective, we strive to make valuable contributions to the international community, by conducting high quality research to address issues of interest in the very rich and diverse environment in the region.  Let us work together to make it happen. 

Stephen Chan 

Founding Head and Consultant 
Service-Learning and Leadership Office
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University