The Association of Latin American Students (ALAS) is pleased to host its 8th Annual Education Across the Americas Conference. The conference will be held March 26-27, 2010 at Teachers College, Columbia University.

For over 8 years, ALAS' annual conference has sought to create a space for analysis, dialogue, and exchange in relation to the complex realities of education in the Americas. Throughout our history, the conference's objective has been to provide a unique opportunity for scholars who work on issues of education in Latin America to share and discuss their policy, academic, and research concerns. Latin America, however, is far from a homogenous and monolithic landscape of social, political, economic, and cultural practices. The diversity of contexts that characterizes Latin America requires educators, researchers, and policymakers alike to consider the multiplicity of experiences and perspectives when examining education as social phenomena.

Students' learning, educational development and achievement are influenced by the actions and features of several actors. Actors working at schools seem to be the most relevant ones, but there are certainly agents in other arenas that influence the learning process. The interplay of members of the school as an institution (e.g.teachers, school staff) along with parents, organizers of after school programs, NGOs, and faith-based organizations are also part of students' learning. All these actors and organizations form learning communities. The successful bridging of these communities can potentially upgrade the pool of resources that promote educational development.

This year's theme--Voices in Education: Bridging Learning Communities--aims to create a space in which members of different learning communities share their experiences and knowledge on the promotion of educational development. Moreover, we invite researchers and young scholars to discuss the relevance of specific educational agents. In sum, we aim to promote the dialogue between the voices of those who integrate learning communities.

Please visit our website for more information on the conference program as it becomes available.