Resolution on the Inclusion of International Students

While internationalization is an enrichment for both students and our society, the actual inclusion of all non-EEA students is under severe pressure. The Flemish government plans to significantly reform the budget targeted towards aiding them. This threatens their accessibility to higher education. The effects of these measures will reach much further than anticipated, drastically restricting the life chances of young people, who aren’t only incoming but also those who have lived in Belgium their entire lives, yet are stripped of their future potential simply because they lack an EEA identity.

Currently these students are already facing significant barriers regarding housing, language, administration, and participation. The shortage of student rooms even forces some students to cancel their arrival in Belgium. Furthermore, a lack of bilingual communication and information creates an exclusionary environment that hinders mental and academic integration.

To safeguard the democratic future and quality of higher education for everyone, ESU and VVS believe that the following measures are essential:

1. Direct democratic participation.
   1.1. Institutions must facilitate the possibility of participation of international students in student councils directly.
   1.2. Universities should establish full-fledged international advisory boards that are financially and logistically supported.
2. Invest in central information points and reception.
   2.1. A central information point should be organized in every student city to provide practical and administrative assistance.
   2.2. Institutions must cooperate more effectively on reception (e.g., at airports) to support those with fewer resources.
3. Establish bilingualism as the standard.
   3.1. All communication directed at students, including legal documents such as exam regulations and physical signage on campuses, must be offered in both Dutch and English by default.
4. Lower barriers to language acquisition.
   4.1. The curriculum should include more Dutch elective courses, and external language lessons must be offered more cheaply and flexibly to promote social integration.
5. Prioritize mixed housing.
   5.1. To prevent isolation, institutions must strive for a balanced social distribution where international and local students live together, avoiding the segregation of international students into separate buildings.
6. Ensure equal access to financial aid and student services.
   6.1. Financial aid and scholarship opportunities must be preserved and expanded to counter planned budget cuts for non-EEA students, ensuring that financial barriers do not restrict access to higher education or the future potential of any students.
   6.2. All student services (including social, mental health, and administrative support) must be fully accessible and adapted to the needs of international students to overcome the barriers that currently hinder their integration and well-being.