From September 27th through 29th, the 14th Annual ServICE Conference was hosted by Wells Chonburi campus. Having last hosted in 2016 at Wells On Nut campus, this was an exciting opportunity to engage in cross-campus collaboration and utilize the amazing new facilities at our Chonburi campus, as well as connect with the surrounding local community.
The ServICE conference is a collaborative, largely student-led event organized by various international schools in Thailand. The aim of the conference is to inspire, connect, and empower students to create meaningful changes for the communities and the environment. It was a purposeful gathering that brought together students, educators, and community organizations dedicated to service and social change. With this year’s theme of “Creating Waves of Change,” the conference aimed to inspire and equip participants with the tools needed to create positive impacts in their communities.
The conference provided students with opportunities to share and learn from each others’ experiences in collaboration with organizations and other numerous local projects, including Abundant Life Home, Ban Huay Yang school, Bowin Dog Shelter, Father Ray Foundation, Love Wildlife Foundation and Villa Forest. These organizations provided valuable insights into their missions and engaged participants in hands-on activities. The conference was packed with diverse activities aimed at fostering collaboration and service learning:
- Keynote Speeches: Inspirational talks from students and leaders in the field of service highlighted the importance of youth involvement in community initiatives
- How-To Sessions: These practical workshops provided students with strategies for raising awareness about NGOs and implementing service projects in schools.
- ICE Experiences: Participants engaged in immersive experiences with various nonprofits, allowing them to understand firsthand the challenges and successes these organizations face, and how students can play a role in supporting them.
- ICE Trips: Opportunities for students to engage in direct service with a respective organization or cause, helping them to gain a deeper understanding of the cause, related challenges and opportunities to serve.
- ICE Fair: A vibrant fair where student-led and local organizations showcased their work, sold products, and raised awareness about their causes. This event not only supported fundraising efforts but also encouraged networking among attendees.
- ICE Action Planning: Students brainstormed actionable steps for continuing their service efforts throughout the school year. This session emphasized the importance of sustaining service momentum beyond the conference.
Throughout the conference, students actively participated in networking sessions and collaborative workshops. They were divided into diverse groups to foster connections across schools. This interaction allowed students to share ideas, develop friendships, and work together on community service initiatives. Check out some of the highlights here.
Wells International School is grateful to all participating schools, speakers, and organizations that contributed to this successful event. The 14th ServICE Conference was a transformative experience for all involved. Participants left feeling inspired and empowered to take action in their communities. The collaborative spirit fostered during the event is expected to lead to ongoing projects and partnerships among schools and organizations, and we look forward to continued inter-school collaboration throughout this school year.
Special acknowledgements to our ICE Core team leaders: Krittika (Grace) Luangyot, Aanya Laddha, Joohyun Sung, Jimin An and Rishi Sharma (Class of 2025), the ICE Steering Committee, and our dedicated team of ServICE advisors, Ms. Shweta, Ms. Sehnila, Ms. Sunee, Mr. Wentzel, Mr. Matt, Ms. Philmi, Mr. Troy, Ms. Liza, and Mr. Aric, for their ongoing support of the event, as well as our General Affairs, IT team and everyone else who made this event possible.
