We engage service across cultures because we wish to make a positive difference. Yet as many of the resources gathered here demonstrate, that is not simple.

Service across cultures is fraught with peril, such as when pre-professional students provide medical services in low resource environments, or when children are trafficked to provide volunteer experiences through orphanage tourism. I have just mentioned some of the worst cases in international service. There is also the more subtle challenge of portraying an appropriate global service experience with respect and dignity.

To encourage appropriate use of photography and social media during cross-cultural service experiences, globalsl.org is announcing its first Global Service & Ethical Photography Contest. Full details on the contest will be available February 11. Here are a few highlights:

• We draw on the guidance of child and human rights organizations to clarify what is meant by ethical photography. In the coming weeks, we will summarize and share those resources.
• $100 prizes will be available in three categories, along with recognition of the photographer by an esteemed international judging panel. Soon, we will reveal our incredible group of judges.
• Anyone can enter the contest, including community members, alternative spring break participants, course participants at any institution, and, well – anyone.
• To enter, photographers must simply get a (free) account with Cowbird, upload the appropriate photo, and share a paragraph-length (no more) reflection on how it connects to the categories of:
  • mutual learning
  • cross-cultural cooperation
  • new possibilities
• Global service indicates service across cultures. That does not require that the service be international. Global is, well, everywhere.
• Stay tuned by signing up for email updates on the right, or following us on Twitter or Facebook.

globalsl.org is supported by a network of universities and has recently received support from the Henry Luce Foundation.

This initiative is therefore made possible in part through the generous support of the Henry Luce Foundation, which is dedicated to encouraging the highest standards of service and leadership. The Henry Luce Foundation seeks to bring important ideas to the center of American life, strengthen international understanding, and foster innovation and leadership in academic, policy, religious and art communities.

Eric Hartman is an Assistant Professor in Kansas State University’s Staley School of Leadership Studies and Editor of globalsl.org. He has published extensively on global learning and community-university partnership, including recent chapter contributions to P. Green & M. Johnson (Eds.), Crossing Boundaries: Tension and Transformation in International Service-Learning and V. Jagla, J. Strait, & A. Furco (Eds.), Service-learning pedagogy: How does it measure up?, as well as Pushing boundaries: Introduction to the Global Service-Learning Special Section in the Michigan Journal of Community Service-Learning.