Students cooperate for a more accessible higher education system across the world

Last week, Beth Button – Executive Committee member of ESU – attended the 10th Education International “Further and Higher Education and Research”  conference in Accra, Ghana. Beth was invited to speak in a plenary session, where she joined Peter Wells of UNESCO and Fred Awaah of the All African Students’ Union on a panel to discuss making further and higher education and research a priority in the 2030 agenda.

Beth presented on the importance of developing education for sustainable development, the need for universities to embed student centered learning and democratic institutions in order to empower students and facilitate critical thinking and political agency – vital for developing global citizens and ownership. She also addressed the role of universities in recognising their responsibility for social justice and leading the fight for sustainability, and the power of the student movement in accountability and partnership to realise the goals – presenting on the joint action plan European Students’ Union have developed with Education International and The Organising Bureau of European School Student Unions .

Finally, Beth spoke about the #Fundourfuture initiative, addressing the shared values of EI and ESU in fighting for free, quality education, and calling for solidarity and support from staff for students’ struggles.