"The Time is Now": The 22nd Annual Service-Learning Conference in Atlanta

This week marks the twenty-second annual conference for service-learning (NSLC) hosted by the National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC). The slogan, "The Time is Now" expresses the urgent need for youth and youth advocates to take initiative and create more opportunities for service that promote justice and peace in our world. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Everybody can be great because everybody can serve." The Bilingual Christian University of Congo (UCBC) wants to walk in his powerful and humble example of service to others and working to fight injustice in society.


NYLC has been a key partner in the development of Service-Learning at UCBC. The founder of NYLC, Dr. Jim Kielsmeier, has supported service-learning at UCBC from the very beginning. He travelled to DR Congo last year to tri-host (with Paul Tshihamba, UCBC and NYLC board member; and myself, the UCBC Service-Learning Coordinator) a 2-day workshop for UCBC staff and faculty. This year, Dr. Kielsmeier invited UCBC to share their expertise in service-learning at the conference.

Academic Dean, Honore Bunduki and Congo Initiative Board member, Mary Henton arrived today in Atlanta. Tomorrow the conference begins. The NSLC features speakers, workshop sessions, discussions, and service-events with a national and international focus. Highly noteworthy keynote speakers for the conference are world-renowned Greg Mortenson, author of "Three Cups of Tea" and founder of Central Asia Institute, Pennies for Peace and Dorthy Cotton, Education Director for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and close advisor to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The conference will also host the 5th Annual Service-Learning World Forum: an event where service-learning leaders from around the world share ideas and happenings from their unique context. The exchange seeks to strengthen and enrich service-learning as practitioners come together. Honore and Chelsie will be sharing about service-learning at UCBC at the session focused on service-learning in Africa. Among them will be service-learning leaders, Naiomi Tutu (South Africa) and Wookie Weah (Liberia).

UCBC is blessed to be connected with this important work in service-learning and all the champions for youth development amidst people at NYLC.


From Atlanta,
Chelsie Frank, Service-Learning Coordinator