Press Release – General Student Council of Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth (USJ) joins the GSF
Global Student Forum, General Student Council USJ – Brussels, Beirut
30th of August 2021
The Global Student Forum (GSF) welcomes the General Student Council of Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth (USJ) into its associate membership. The General Student Council of Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth (USJ) joins 197 student unions from 119 countries in the GSF, the worldwide umbrella organisation of democratic, independent and representative student governments.
Carmen Romero, Steering Committee Member of the Global Student Forum stated: “Having USJ as member of the GSF is especially important because it brings more diversity and pluralism to the organisation. It will definitely enhance the cooperation of the student movement in a region where students still have a long way to go to defend their rights and promote student participation.” Lene Folabit Novel added: “As a Steering Committee Member, I am happy to welcome the USJ student council in our young organisation. I am certain they will benefit a lot from the international network of student organisations provided through their status as associate members.”
Sylvana Ayoub, elected student leader at UJS remarked: “We, the youth of Lebanon, are devoted to change. Seeing the efforts made by the Global student forum to preserve and promote students’ rights has encouraged us to be part of this organization, notably that both solidarity and cooperation are among our fundamental values. We aim, through our future with the GSF, to develop our society’s independent, democratic, and progressive side, in the process of building a more inclusive and developed environment for our students. Majd Mouawad, also an elected member of the USJ student council added: “I’m so thrilled that the student council is now part of the Global Student Forum and that students now have a louder voice to claim their rights, acknowledge their duties and develop their organization and leadership skills – all for the purpose of contributing to the overall well-fare of students.”
Gabriel El Hachach, Community Life Mobilizer at the student life department at Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth concluded: “By Joining the Global Student Forum, the General Student Council at USJ is able to exchange experiences and learnings with other student structures on a Global level. This is a great opportunity to reach better student experiences and support each other.”
About the Global Student Forum
The Global Student Forum was founded by the All-Africa Students Union (AASU), Commonwealth Students’ Association (CSA), European Students’ Union (ESU), Organising Bureau of European School Student Unions (OBESSU), Organización Continental Latinoamericana y Caribeña de Estudiantes (OCLAE) and other national student organisations and movements. Through its membership it currently represents 198 student unions from 120 countries. The organisation is a platform for students and their movements to build networks and facilitate active solidarity through digital campaigns and on the ground action. Through cooperation, analysis and strategy it serves as a coordinator for targeted political action and advocacy efforts facilitated for and by students.
About the General Student Council of Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth
The General Student Council includes student representatives from all USJ student organizations and administration members. It is presided over by the Rector and a student vice-president. The Council aims to encourage and enhance communication between the University administration and students especially on academic and administrative issues, as well as other issues related to on-campus life.