"Student participation in national and international higher education forums in Europe" Daniela Bartolo Academic Affairs Committee European Students' Union The European Students Union
An Introduction A short history
• 17 October 1982: Founded by seven unions
• 1989: WESIB (Western European Students’ Information Bureau) changes to ESIB
• 1999: Structural changes are provoked by the start of the Bologna Process
• 2007: 25th Anniversary and name change to ESU
MainMain AreasAreas ofof workwork
• The Bologna Process • The Lisbon Strategy • Equal opportunities • Students’ financing • Students’ mobility • Students’ rights • Development of the student movement • Doctoral studies and research • Higher education in a globalized world Structure of the organization
4747 National National U Unionsnions of of Students Students from from 38 38 countries countries (full(full members) members)
BoardBoard CommissionCommission (2(2 delegates/country) delegates/country) onon Internal Internal Audit Audit
CIDCID
ExecutiveExecutive SUDC WorkingWorking AACAAC SAC CommiteeCommitee GroupsGroups
StaffStaff • ESU associate members: Association of Norwegian Students Abroard (ANSA) Erasmus Student Network European Dental Students European Pharmaceutical Student's Association (EPSA) European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS) Forum of European Muslim Youth and Students Organisation (FEMYSO) International Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Youth and Student Network – IGLYO Organizing Bureau of European School Student Unions (OBESSU) • Cooperation with associate members: ▫ Participation on events, exchange with information, mutual promotional activities • ESU is a member of European Youth Forum (YFJ)
Cooperation with member organizations • National unions of students are owners of the organization: ▫ NUSes set the PoW, adopt policies, nominate and elect people working for ESU ▫ ESU elected representatives fulfil the PoW, report on their actions and make proposals to the board.
• Information exchange: ▫ Board e-mail list ▫ ESU BackOffice ▫ ESU blog ▫ ESU newsletter “Student Voice” All articles available on ESU webpage ▫ ESU webpage www.esu-online.org
POW 2009 / 10 – For a stronger student movement!
• Encourage investment in HE during the economic downturn • Defending students’ rights through the development of the student movement • Democratisation of Higher Education by fostering social dimension and equity • Quality higher education for all with students in the centre • “20% mobile students by 2020” – moving towards the European Dimension of HE through making mobility of students a reality Student Participation in Decision Making
Where do students fit in? Defining student participation General Definition
Defined at the Prague Ministerial Summit as involvement of…students as competent, active and constructive partners in the establishment and shaping of a EHEA.
Later on, in Berlin, students’ role was described as full partners in HE governance Participating where it matters Student Participation
ESU’s findings Current situation
Most NUSes are unhappy with the current situation. 13 out of 34 unions feel that the Bologna Process has had little effect on the level of student participation.
Slovenia and Austria report worse level of student representation was the result of a package of reforms as part of Bologna Process implementation 16 out of 34 unions feel the institutional and department level to be the weakest when it comes to student participation Issues to take into consideration
• Percentage of representation
• Independence of student unions at a national, institutional or course department level • Union funding issues
• Participation on BFUGs
• Student participation in national report for stocktaking Key recommendations
• Greater and better involvement of students in governance of HE is needed. Students must be considered as equal partners in governance involved in all levels of decision-making.
• Legislation guaranteeing minimum level of student participation is needed where non existent
• Re-examination of union funding to ensure that their independence is not compromised Why is this important?
• The 11 million 1st, 2nd and 3rd cycle students represented by ESU comprise the bulk of people affected directly by HE reform agendas • European students have a unique insight into the state of European HE. • However, students are also not invited (as much as they should be) to share their knowledge and participate in HE governance and reform How can we further enhance student participation? Post-Leuven
Quo vadis? • Commitments need to be matched by actions... ▫ A comprehensive review of earlier commitments should be undertaken ▫ Policymakers and HEIs should make a serious effort to improve data gathering
• ...and Declarations need to be matched by commitments! ▫ The social dimension, student participation and many other action lines of the Bologna Process are neglected by stakeholders Up-Coming debates
• The Social dimension of the Bologna Process • Student participation • Quality Assurance • Student Mobility • Research and Doctoral Education • Lifelong Learning • Employability • Attractiveness of the EHEA • Financing of HE
And much more.... So where does this lead us?
• Governance and reform of Higher Education in Europe should be guided and influenced by students' voices.
• BWSE points to the need of including students' views and expertise on all levels of HE reform and governance. Not just by reading BWSE, but by consequently inviting students to participate at the round table of stakeholders. Questions? Thank you!
Daniela Bartolo