Student Activism 2011 took place at Goldsmiths College, University of London on Saturday 19 November. Activists had the opportunity to attend more than 60 workshops organised and run by campaigning organisations, trade unions and student activists from across the UK.
Sessions included a medley of master classes, interactive workshops, training sessions, film screenings, theatre workshops, panel debates and round tables.
Organisations including Oxfam, Liberty, the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts (NCAFC), UNISON, Unions21, PlaneStupid, MIND and Save the Childrenparticipated in activist sessions for attendees. The event culminated in a rally to discuss the next steps for the student movement.
Liam Burns, NUS President, said:
“The campaigning landscape has undoubtedly changed, and this forces us to think differently. This event acted as a new way of discussing the new challenges and new opportunities that we face as campaigners.”
"NUS is often best placed to undertake the necessary logistics and organisational know-how to put on and promote such events but we can in no way claim to have a monopoly on campaigning. This event shows a way of giving students the space, time and support to discuss, teach and mobilise in their own ways."
“The days of campaigns being run entirely from the centre are in many ways over, if they ever really existed. This event points to a future where students are empowered to put themselves in the driving seat.”
Feedback and videos from the event will be available online shortly.
More information is available via the Student Activism 2011 hub.
If you have any questions please contact campaigns@nus.org.uk