SU taking students to UK’s biggest activism conference

Warwick SU will be offering students the chance to attend Student Activism 2011, the UK’s biggest ever activism conference.

Sponsored by the National Union of Students (NUS), the free conference will provide students with the opportunity to develop campaigns and ultimately take action on issues directly affecting them, and educate attendees on the importance of student activism. As Warwick students continue to play a key role in the political sphere, the course could prove particularly popular.

Izzy John, the Students’ Union (SU) Welfare Officer said: “We have a lot of students who are politically active across all backgrounds and spectrums, we think the course is definitely a good thing.”

At Warwick there exists a plethora of political involvement. From the societies affiliated with political parties to organisations such as Amnesty, People & Planet, WASS (Warwick Anti-Sexism Society) and Pride, there are a variety of ways in which students can get involved. The past year has seen the biggest wave of protests and activism amongst this generation of students.

Students have always been, and continue to be, at the forefront of the movement for social change. For example: Warwick Against the Cuts that formed last year as a result of the student protests against fees and cuts. The group of individuals played, and continue to play, an active role politically. On 16 November they play host to expelled Labour MP turned Socialist Party Councillor Dave Nellist who will be speaking on how to fight the cuts.

A spokesman for the group said: “Hopefully this training will encourage more people to get involved in the political scene. People need to realise that things happening now will shape our future.”

Undergraduate student Hitesh agreed: “More than anything, the training will inspire people who want to get involved but aren’t sure how to.”

Student activism is very much alive at Warwick. The University’s political landmarks are catalogued in the book _Warwick University Ltd_ alongside reasons why students might wish to protest against structures and practices existing within the University itself.

Perhaps the most famous in Warwick’s political history is the story of Kevin Gately; a Warwick student who died tragically on an anti-fascist protest in 1974. His death has since become a symbolic reminder of the struggle against fascism.

The SU is keen to support campaigners and has a democratic mandate and a strategic plan in place to ensure it delivers. “All students have to do is ask! That’s why we have a campaigns forum” said John.

Places on the conference can be registered for at www.nusconnect.org.uk/studentactivism2011/