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 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 bridg
e 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. We sincerely hope that by means of this conference “Love Journey: Community Engagement through Service-Learning”, more discussions on Service-Learning can be facilitated nationally and internationally, and attract more talents’ involvement and attention on Service-Learning activities.
亞太服務學習研討會每兩年舉辦一次，今年是第五次舉行會議。2007年第一屆主題為「理論與實踐」，關注亞太地區服務學習的發展；發展至第二屆關注「多元社區發展，創造跨界溝通」；第三屆強調「服務學習所能帶來的影響與改變」，第四屆的主題係以「服務學習創造連接世界與未來的橋樑」;2015年第五屆所舉辦的會議將以『串接愛的旅程：從服務學習到社會參與』為主題。
一直以來，讓我們在服務學習的這條道路上堅持著的信念是因為有「愛」，從學校教師帶領學生投入服務學習的那一瞬間，即開始了這趟愛的旅程。在校的教師與學生將專業、服務與學習結合，運用自身的影響力，形塑學生、培養學生未來就業時面對瞬息萬變全球化挑戰的能力，進而改變世界朝向更美好的未來邁進。再者，大學教育的目的即為培育一個為社會付出的好公民。我們生活在這個社會，吸取它的養分，理當回饋這個社會，正如輔仁大學的校訓「真善美聖」一般，期許大學教育積極的培養出具全人素養、國際關懷，勇於承擔責任的學生。因此，我們由「愛」出發，將服務學習延伸至社會參與，這趟旅程串接了學校、社區、在地組織、跨國機構、社會；透過愛的傳遞與連繫，回歸身為「人」應具備的責任感、合作、謙卑與誠信，並且挑戰卓越，持續的參與社會改變的正面力量。
我們希冀藉由『串接愛的旅程：從服務學習到社會參與』的會議，能促進國內外更多對於服務學習議題的討論，更能吸引更多人才先進對於服務學習活動的投入與重視。
