Seminar on student participation in Higher Education Governance

1

• Seminar on student participation in Higher
  Education Governance
• Council of EuropeMoscow, 26-27th July 2004
• Predrag LazeticESIB Bologna Process Committee

2
What is ESIB?

• International NGO
• Members national student unions from Europe
  (full, consultative, candidate)
• ESIB - the National Unions of Students in Europe
  is the umbrella organisation of 50 national
  unions of students from 37 countries and through
  these members represent over 11 million students.

3
Objective I.

• to promote the views of students on the
  educational system as a whole
• to promote the social, economical, political and
  cultural interests of students and the human
  rights of students which have a direct effect or
  an indirect effect on education and on the status
  and welfare of students in society
• to promote equal opportunities for all students
  regardless of their political belief, religion
  ethnic or cultural origin, gender, sexual
  orientation, social standing or any disability
  they may have

4
Objective II.

• to promote equal chances of access to higher
  education for all people
• to promote European and global co-operation and
  to facilitate information exchange with students
  and students organizations
• to promote co-operation with other organised
  groups in matters pertaining to education and
  student life
• to provide assistance and support to National
  Unions of Students in Europe in their work to
  protect student interests

5
Members

• controlled and run by students
• democratic elections and are run on a democratic
  basis
• representative
• autonomous and independent in their
  decision-making
• objectives are in accordance with the objectives
  of ESIB - The National Unions of Students in Eurpe

6
Working methods

• collect, summarize and distribute information
  between the member organizations
• organise seminars and meetings
• develop policies and demands(30 policy in 14
  areas of HE)
• run campaigns

7
Partner organizations

• UNESCO
• Bologna follow up structure
• EC
• CoE
• OECD
• Other IGO/NGOs dealing with HE policy on
  European/international level (EUA, EURASHE, ENQA,
  ENIC-NARIC)

8
Diversity across Europe

• Size and history of the unions
• Membership (voluntary, compulsory etc.)
• Legal framework the unions are defined
• System of financing (membership fees, donations,
  projects etc.)
• Activities (depend the mandate)

9
Student participation in what?

• Education in general
• All decision making bodies all levels
• Social and academic life
• Proactive role in the society
• In all issues starting from the curriculum
  development, QA, appointment of the teaching
  staff to the student welfare issues

10
How to increase level of knowledge and expertise?

• Educational function of national unions beside to
  the representative function
• Trainings and seminars
• Dissemination of information
• Take over techniques

11
Contacts

• www.esib.org
• peter_at_esib.org
• predrag_at_esib.org