The Summit: Cultivating Global Service Leadership at International School Bangkok

Just before our February break, International School Bangkok (ISB) hosted The Summit, an annual student-led interscholastic service conference. This unique gathering brought together international schools from across Southeast Asia, providing a platform for student-led workshops aimed at inspiring change and nurturing the spirit of service within participating school communities.

Global Collaboration & Cultural Exchange

ISB brought together over 100 students and teachers from all across the globe to share their passion for service and leadership. Several guest speakers and over 30 student speakers took part in educational workshops and forums for discussion surrounding service. These educational opportunities aimed to inspire students to continue the service learning beyond The Summit within their own communities. 

The Summit is a fantastic initiative, providing a platform for international schools to come together and share their passion for service and leadership. The student speakers discussed topics from sustainability to social justice and health - all geared at collaborating with their peers with the shared goal of making an impact on the world. 

Diverse Perspectives & Expertise from Guest Speakers

Guest speakers included Chawisa “Wendy” Chen, a sexologist and entrepreneur; Vijo Varghese, the co-founder of OurLand; and Alex Lang, who shifted from a previously conventional career path to a more sustainable one, driven by his passion for environmental sustainability. Another guest speaker at The Summit was our very own ISB alum Boonyanin (Genie) Pakvisal, who has previously worked as an environmental journalist and is now working at the United Nations.

ISB Students’ Commitment, Communication, & Collaboration

The three-day conference's success can be attributed to the exceptional efforts of three ISB students: Xavier, May May, and Nami. Their meticulous planning of communications and logistics laid the groundwork for an event that brought students together to collectively engage in meaningful service.

Nami, a passionate high school junior, took the lead in organizing climate simulations and managing bookings, demonstrating her commitment to involving others in impactful service initiatives. Xavier shared his advice based on his experiences, emphasizing the importance of laying a solid foundation for event structures. "Implement solutions in our lives, bring together newfound knowledge, and stay focused," he recommended. May May, the Thai Club President, drew inspiration from a guest speaker's words, emphasizing the significance of doing something impactful that makes a difference. Her passion for organizing events and collaborating with peers perfectly aligned with the vision of providing learning opportunities through service.

As the Summit unfolded, over 80 students collaborated in small groups, emphasizing community service awareness, cultural clubs, and social consciousness. May May expressed joy at seeing fellow students share and learn from each other, creating a ripple effect of positive impact.

Leaving a Lasting Impact

The triumph of this service conference has ignited a passionate commitment among ISB students to perpetuate its momentum, paving the way for future impactful events. The participating students were encouraged to develop post-Summit action plans. These plans outline how they intend to implement the insights gained during the conference in their own school communities, ensuring that the impact of The Summit resonates long after its conclusion.

Explore our High School and get to know more about the service-learning programs we offer as part of our academic curriculum here.