Ibero-American Service-Learning Network: 18 years of uninterrupted work

Representatives of the service-learning networks from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, Spain, the United States, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela attended this meeting while service-learning networks from Portugal and Canada sent messages to the 40 representatives in the Leopoldo Marechal hall of the National Ministry of Education. Although most participants joined in person, some joined by videoconference; however, all wanted to be present at this meeting that was also a celebration of 18 years of uninterrupted work of the Ibero-American Service-Learning Network (REDIBAS, in its acronym in Spanish). Nieves Tapia, director and founder of CLAYSS, stressed at the opening that this is "a community of learning and reciprocal support".

During the meeting, they discussed how service-learning has grown in the region in recent years, resulting in the creation of new service-learning networks in several countries, such as Argentina and Ecuador, greater participation of different institutions and associations, and an increase in the number of publications and research already published or in process. 

The RIDAS Journal was at the hands of Brenda Bär (University of Barcelona), who updated the information on this indexed journal that disseminates case studies, bibliographic reviews, reviews and other material related to service-learning. Bär also informed the audience that the call for papers for the next issue is open: https://revistes.ub.edu/index.php/RIDAS. The journal, which CLAYSS has co-published since 2014, is available in Spanish, English and Catalan.

In addition, the agenda devoted some time to plan future joint activities and review some of the internal procedures. Every year, the meeting with the REDIBAS members resulted in a space to discuss, share experiences and learn from others to continue growing and improving in the service-learning project implementation and the institutionalisation of this pedagogy.