Reflection to Responsibility: Students Dig Deep at Global Service Summit

This article was written collaboratively by the students and chaperones who attended the event.

For three days in Lusaka, Zambia, ICS students and chaperones immersed themselves in reflection, community engagement, cultural exchange, and courageous conversations at the Association of International Schools Africa (AISA) Global Issues Service Summit (GISS) 2026.

This year’s summit brought together 23 schools and 291 students and educators, creating a powerful space for diverse perspectives and shared purpose. What began as a conference quickly became something deeper — a call to think boldly, care intentionally, and recognize our shared responsibility as global citizens.

For some students, that shift began immediately. As student Sarah O. reflected, “Before the summit, I thought AISA GISS was nothing serious, and I was just there to have fun. Now I think it’s a place where things are taken seriously and a place to learn a lot even when you don’t think you will learn.” Over three days, many participants experienced that same transition — from attending to engaging, and from observing to reflecting.

A central theme of the summit was triple wellbeing: self-care, people care, and Earth care. One of our chaperones, Sara Adem, reflected that when we neglect our own well-being, our patience declines and our ability to show up fully diminishes. Caring for ourselves, caring for others, and caring for the world are not competing priorities; they are deeply interconnected.

Students quickly recognized how closely this mirrors the ICS Way: Take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Take care of this place. The language may differ, but the values align. Triple wellbeing reminded participants that self-care strengthens community, and caring for the Earth is an extension of caring for one another.

Insights often came in unexpected moments. Student Mariam N. described a workshop where an engineer spoke about "leaning on stillness," encouraging participants to allow space for reflection instead of constantly trying to control or fix everything. That single idea sparked deep personal reflection. Zeineb Abdou, attending as a chaperone, was moved by a final activity in which participants retold someone else’s story as their own — a powerful lesson in empathy and active listening.

Community engagement experiences across Lusaka brought these ideas into practice. While serving at an elephant rescue center, Mariam reflected on the privilege of caring for animals and the responsibility humans carry toward the environment. After volunteering at the LAWS animal shelter, Arsema Woldegiorgis shared that privilege comes with obligation: if we are able to help, we should.

Connection proved just as transformative as service. Student Nia A. described collaborating with students from around the world and realizing that while experiences differ, goals are often shared. Student Reena S. reflected that meaningful impact requires discipline and commitment, not just temporary motivation. For student Meklit M., belonging emerged during a musical theatre workshop, where even sharing one umbrella in the rain became a small but meaningful reminder of connection.

Through it all, students’ understanding of leadership evolved. As Mariam wrote, “Being a change-seeker means seeing possibilities where others see limits… A change-seeker doesn’t wait for the world to change, but they choose to be part of the change.” Leadership became less about titles and more about responsibility, courage, and consistency.

The ICS delegation returns with renewed clarity: to allow space for stillness, step into unfamiliar opportunities, care for oneself in order to care for others, and remember that caring for our planet is part of caring for our shared home. When story and voice come together, impact follows.

As the community reflects on this experience, there is added excitement in knowing that ICS will host AISA GISS 2026 from 25-27 March, welcoming the region to our campus and continuing this important work together.

The summit may have ended, but the story continues — and it is one ICS students are writing collectively.