The 5th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Service-Learning: Love Journey: Community Engagement through Service-Learning

Conference organized by Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan

Background information: The 5th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Service-Learning will be held in 2015 at Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan. It was a touching moment when Prof. Jesús Seade (Vice-President of Lingnan University) passed the conference flag to Prof. Chou Shang-Shing (Vice-President of Academic Affairs, Fu Jen Catholic University). This symbolized the passing of Service-Learning spirit, including not only the effort already made, but also the bright hope and great future tomorrow will bring. The heart and passion brought by each delegate made this conference a success. Let us keep our passion for Service-Learning burning, and look forward to meeting one another again in Taiwan on 27th-29th May, 2015!

The Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Service-Learning, a biennial event first launched in 2007, stressed on the advancement of the “Theory and Practice of Service-Learning” in the Asia-Pacific region. The second conference, held in 2009, discussed on multi-community development and cross-border communication. The third conference, taking place in 2011, emphasized on the differences and impacts facilitated by Service-Learning. As to the fourth conference in 2013, Service-Learning was regarded as a bridge connecting the contemporary and the future. With respect to the fifth conference in 2015, “Love Journey: Community Engagement through Service-Learning” is designated as the theme.

In virtue of the faith in “Love,” we could have persisted all the way on Service-Learning. From the moment that teachers lead students to participate in Service-Learning activities, this Love Journey has started. Teachers and students apply their knowledge obtained from class for services conducted and are adapted to the ability to face and to challenge their future employments in the age of globalization. In addition to that, the purpose of higher education is to cultivate good citizens on behalf of the society. Just as the motto of Fu Jen Catholic University - “Veritas, Bonitas, Pulchritudo, Sanctitas” which means Truth, Goodness, Beauty and Sanctity, we expect that, by the accomplishment of higher education, students are equipped with not only a holistic capability and a sense of responsibility, but also possess international care. Therefore, we start from love, and extend to social engagement. This journey makes a connection of schools, communities, societies, local associations and international organizations. By the delivery and link of love, we are able to qualify ourselves with a sense of responsibility, partnership, modesty and honesty. And furthermore, to take a challenge for excellence and sustain the engagement in a positive power for social changes.