GLOBAL STUDENT LEADERS GATHER IN LONDON FOR GROUND BREAKING SUMMIT

The first Global Student Leadership Summit (GSLS), organised by the National Union of Students (NUS) and the European Students’ Union (ESU) opened this morning at the University of East London (Docklands Campus).

The event, the biggest of its kind in decades, will gather 100 student leaders from more than 45 countries to discuss global education, sustainability, peace and social justice. Delegates will look to draft and agree a protocol on international cooperation

The organisation of the event coincides with NUS’ 90th anniversary year and it is hoped that it will encourage closer collaboration between students’ unions worldwide.

Liam Burns, NUS President, said:

“I’m delighted that in NUS’ 90th anniversary year and in the wake of the Olympic and Paralympic games we are able to invite such an incredible group of student leaders from around the world to join us in London.”

“It’s ironic that such a positive international gathering of students comes at a time when the UK government’s attitude towards international students is under intense scrutiny. I hope that we can send a message that international students are welcome in the UK and that we value the ideas and cultural exchange that they bring to our campuses.

“Over the next few days we will discuss the role that education plays in sustainable development and the role that students’ unions can play in working for peace and social justice.”

ENDS

Wednesday 19 September -‘Education and Development’

Liam Burns (NUS President) will be starting proceedings, which will be followed by a speech from Edna Adan Ismail, former Foreign Minister of Somaliland.

Thursday 20 September - ‘Education and Sustainable Development’

An update from Camila Vallejo of the University of Chile Student Federation and a video address from Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner for the Environment, with workshops later from Rubies in the Rubble (one of the Observer’s ’50 new radicals’) and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

Friday 21 September - ‘Peace and Social Justice’

David Hayman of Spirit Aid, which runs humanitarian projects in places like Kosovo, Guinea Bissau, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa, Lord Bates of the Olympic Truce campaign which promotes the truce that accompanies each Olympic and Paralympic Games (and since 1993 has been given the status of a Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly States) will speak. Later workshops will be run by Tutudesk, the charity of which Desmond Tutu is patron, which has distributed more than 1 million desks across 24 countries in Sub Saharan Africa.

At the close of the Friday event, delegates will travel to Wembley Arena for Peace Day concert, which will include a headline performance from Elton John and will feature Jude Law and others.

Countries and regions to be represented by their student organisations include: Portugal, Malta, Russia, Slovakia, India, France, Montenegro, New Zealand, Hungary, Maldova, Sweden, Sudan, Armenia, South Sudan, Romania, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, South Pacific, Gambia, Colombia, Cambodia, Serbia, Switzerland, Norway, Austria, Europe Region, Albania, Netherlands, Azerbaijan, Swaziland, Philippines, Taiwan, Africa Region, Nepal, Asia Region, Iceland, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Canada, Mexico, USA, Commonwealth Region, Finland, LatAm Region, Cyprus, Turkey.

Keynote speakers taking part in the summit include:

• Edna Adan Ismail, Former Foreign Minister of Somaliland

• Camila Vallejo, President, University of Chile Student Federation (FECH), main spokesperson for the Confederation of Chilean Students (CONFECH)

• Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner for the Environment

• Liam Burns, National President, NUS UK

• Karina Ufert, Chairperson, ESU

• Awaah Fred, Secretary General, All Africa Students Union (AASU)

• Rey Asis, Regional Secretariat Member, Asian Students Association (ASA)

• Mateus Fiorentini, Executive Secretary, Organización Continental Latinoamericana y Caribeña de Estudiantes (OCLAE)

• Professor Phil Levy, Deputy Chief Executive (Academic), Higher Education Academy

• Isabelle Turmaine, Director, Information Centre and Communication Services, International Association of Universities

• David Hayman, Chief Operating Officer, Spirit Aid

• Lord Bates, Member of the House of Lords

The summit is supported by the Higher Education Academy, Sodexo and Santander Universities.

Further information is available on the summit website: www.globalstudentleadership.org

Speakers and delegates will be available during the event for interview and it may be possible to arrange interviews ahead of the event.