The New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA) has joined the Global Student Forum (GSF) as a consociate member. NZUSA’s membership is raising the number of student unions within the Global Student Forum to 199, from 121 different countries.
NZUSA’s National Education Officer, Ellen Dixon, has been selected to represent the Pacific region on the GSF Steering Committee due to her knowledge and expertise in student activism at both national and regional level. “Upholding student voices around human rights issues is essential, especially considering the existential threats students and youth are facing from climate change, economic uncertainty, and COVID-19. I acknowledge the transformative capacity of global student initiatives for education and the wider international community” says Dixon when commencing her 8-month term in the GSF Steering Committee at the beginning of November 2021.
NZUSA’s National Vice President, Liam Davies states “NZUSA’s membership to the GSF, and the role we play in their governance structure, could not have come at a better time. COVID-19 has caused a myriad of issues that directly impact students, and for NZUSA and Ellen to champion the voice of the Pacific in a global setting is a welcome opportunity to share experiences and work together, to find common solutions”.
About the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations
NZUSA is the national representative body for students in tertiary education in Aotearoa New Zealand. NZUSA has been a member-led association since 1929, tirelessly advocating for students in universities and polytechnics. Their vision is for an accessible and barrier free tertiary education system.
They stand in partnership with Te Mana Ākonga (National Māori Tertiary Students’ Association), Tauira Pasifika (National Pasifika Students’ Association) and the National Disabled Students’ Association, to strengthen the student movement. NZUSA upholds that education is a public good that benefits the community, the nation and the world.
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 199 student unions from 121 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.