Symposium on Service-Learning in Catholic Education Begins in Rome

Rome, November 8, 2024: Rome’s LUMSA University will host the 5th ‘Uniservitate’ Global Symposium on November 7 and 8, bringing together speakers from across the globe to explore the future of Catholic higher education and the role of service-learning within it. Organized by ‘Uniservitate,’ a program dedicated to promoting service-learning in Catholic universities, the two day event features insights from young people, rectors, academics and experts on the benefits and challenges of integrating community service with academic studies in Catholic institutions.

María Rosa Tapia, coordinator of the ‘Uniservitate’ program, highlighted the unique global perspective that the symposium brings, with attendees from five continents sharing insights on implementing service-learning in diverse contexts, including challenging environments such as Ukraine and Palestine. The symposium, Tapia noted, aims to facilitate knowledge sharing across universities, fostering a deeper understanding of how service-learning can support students in both academic growth and social responsibility.

A key aspect of the symposium is discussions on the role of spirituality in service-learning, a focus area that Uniservitate has been advancing through research grants. Tapia emphasized the growing importance of service-learning in Catholic education as a means to answer Pope Francis’s call to apply academic knowledge for the common good. “Service-learning offers a path to both learn well and serve well,” she remarked.

The symposium will be livestreamed on Uniservitate’s website, encouraging global participation and inviting all who are interested to witness how Catholic education can inspire service-driven learning across the world.

Courtesy: Vatican News