As ASD shifts towards what is called a learning service model as opposed to more traditional ideas of community service, we are redefining what we want our students to experience and learn from the opportunities that we offer. In this new shift, the focus is on learning about issues in the fields of development, conservation and humanitarianism. In terms of delivering service, we want to aim to do that in a manner that will best mobilize community members and help support local economies.
In other words, we are shifting how we deliver service projects by looking to address needs or provide funding where it cannot be sourced locally, and empowering communities to do what they are able to by providing the necessary support. Our philosophy is that our beneficiaries need to be our partners in development projects so that they feel empowered to take ownership of these projects to sustain them. But in order for our students to do this, our emphasis has to be on learning about the issues surrounding a project, which is something that our previous service learning program has not always emphasized.
-Chi Shang, IB CAS Coordinator/HS Learning Service Coordinator
