Some have questioned the purpose of NUS being concerned with internationalism - citing the need for a UK focus in a tough financial climate. I have sympathy with this position, and certainly would never argue international issues should dominate our work but I do think too many who oppose this work ignore what you can do with limited resources and gloss over what students gain from embracing a truly global perspective.
I became a champion of internationalism when time after time at my union I saw tons of students coming over to the Amnesty stall, parting with their cash to the RAG international causes, the weekly birth of a new international society, or the education and debating skills students gained from participating in debates on current affairs. NUS’ Global Justice campaign is an important fabric of who we are. Across the country thousands of students are actively campaigning, raising money, volunteering for people half way across the world- its only right this is reflected some way in their National Union.
This is of course not without challenges. Throughout NUS’ history there has been constant division on what NUS should and shouldn’t say about the wider world. Students are united by identity, but we are a diverse union of many political views and beliefs. Therefore it is important for NUS not to delve into conflicts ignorant of the complexities of many geo political issues. That in our quest to stand up for our values of democracy, equality, and collectivism, we must also accept some things cannot be adequately reflected or condensed into a simple set of believes and resolves, and to do so can be a disservice to our student colleagues fighting for peace on the ground. Yes we have an important voice and a powerful voice, but we also have a responsibility to speak with measure and to reflect the sheer diversity of views within our membership.
This hasn’t always been the case with the debates that have taken place locally and at NUS conferences. But let’s not let the challenges stranglehold meaningful action. There are many things we can do that transform the lives of millions of people across the globe.
These actions don’t have to take substantial time or resources;
- Education - encourage your student newspaper to create a column looking at the student experience in Europe or across the globe, contact NUS if you want interviews with student leaders from other countries.
- Fundraising - some of our colleagues across the world are struggling to fight for democracy and need material assistance. Your students’ unions cannot donate money directly but you can raise money through RAG, special events, or employee donations. Alternatively you can help by donating books or computers through schemes such as Read International, Book Aid or ComputerAid.
- Twinning - by offering to twin with a students’ union in another country you can offer symbolic support, it can be a real morale booster, and you can offer advice on building a strong students union, sharing information on from your own union
- Ethical investment policies - ensure your union and University is not contributing to the conditions faced by some of our colleagues by enacting policies to screen investments and check the sources of products. Find out more here.
- Petitions - I am always amazed at how simply adding your name to a petition could mean the difference between someone becoming freed or remaining imprisoned. Please support NUS in signing these emergency petitions when we post them online. Sign up to the Global Justice newsletter to help with this work.
This is not an exhaustive list, but demonstrates that no matter the size of your union, or the resources available all of us can contribute to this life changing work.
I said at the beginning this is not just a case of doing what’s right, but doing this work because our members do benefit from a global perspective. Our world is becoming ever increasingly interdependent, and if our members can demonstrate that understanding of cross cultural differences it can enhance their perspective, and this too can enhance our students' unions who could learn about how student movements across the world have chosen to tackle some of the same challenges we all commonly face.
So even if you’re not a complete convert I hope you consider taking a browse of the NUS Global Justice campaign. After all its not every day that with one click you could help transform the live of millions of students across the globe.