Make the 100,000 target your New Year’s Resolution

Added on 08/01/2009

If you make only one New Year’s Resolution – make sure it’s this one:

Help meet the Coalition Energy Campaign target of getting 100,000 messages to the Government to say ‘yes’ to renewable energy and ‘no’ to new coal. It’s not too late! The decision on Kingsnorth still hasn’t been taken and the Government’s Renewables Strategy is not due until late Spring. We've still got time to influence the Government's Energy Decisions and our part in keeping global warming below the 2 degrees danger level.

Simply, publicise the coalition actions to your supporters via these your e-bulletin, newsletter, website and social networking sites, using the following links:

Yes to green energy e-action

No to new coal e-action

And remember - don't give up - think how well we all did on the Climate Bill!

Stand up for students in Swaziland

Added on 15/12/2008

NUS and ACTSA need your support for the people of Swaziland. We are calling on the British Government, the Commonwealth and the European Commission to publicly condemn the lack of democracy in Swaziland.

Members of student and trade unions, as well as other civic and political groups, are systematically oppressed and reproached for their beliefs and affiliations.

Persecution
The Swaziland National Students’ Union, whilst legally legitimate, faces harassment and repression. Members of SWAYOCO (Swaziland Youth Congress) have been persecuted and killed, with many having been forced into exile in South Africa and the UK. But things are set to get worse.

Recently the Swazi Government introduced the Suppression of Terrorism Act, giving the authorities an unlimited licence to name and declare virtually anyone or anything a terrorist entity.

Time to take action
Susan Nash, co-Convenor of the Society & Citizenship Zone, is urging students to take action: “Over the summer I met colleagues in the Swaziland National Students' Union. Students like you and me who simply wanted to live, learn and shape the world around them. Their stories and experiences were inspirational, and each and every one of us has a responsibility to speak out when are friends can't."

Please email the Swazi High Commissioner TODAY and call for the release of Mario Masuku and repeal of this suppressive legislation.

Celebrate Human Rights Day and the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Added on 09/12/2008

Stand up with people all over the world who want to make human rights a reality for everyone.

Every human has rights. That is the essence of our humanity. It places on each of us the duty to stand up, not just for our own rights but also for those of others - and to help turn the vision of the UDHR into a reality. That is the spirit of international solidarity. That is the true meaning of universal, indivisible human rights.

On 10th December, the day of this significant anniversary, people will be gathering together in hundreds of places all over the globe, to light a candle, fire or flame as part of a mass demonstration. On Human Rights Day, stand up for human rights and show your solidarity with people all over the world who are committed to making human rights a reality for everyone.

NUS is calling students and students unions to get fired up and light a candle, sparkler, torch, lantern or glow-stick! Then send us your ‘Fire Up!’ photograph and show your support for human rights!

Student Switch Off

Added on 08/12/2008

As part of our work on the environmental impact of students at universities NUSSL and the Society and Citizenship campaign are doing some work with Student Switch Off.

The Student Switch Off is an energy-saving campaign running at 11 universities across the UK. The campaign gets halls of residence to compete against each other to come top of the class in energy efficiency. Key to the success of the initiative are the recruitment of students from halls as Eco-Power Rangers - students who pledge to use their energy carefully and encourage their peers to do so as well. Last academic year, the Student Switch Off recruited over 2,800 Eco-Power Rangers (13.1% of those in halls), reduced electricity usage by an average of 8.9% and saved a cumulative total of over £100,000 and 550 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

To see more about the campaign you can visit the Student Switch Off website.

This campaign is a great way to reduce your students carbon footprint and engage your students on sustainable living. If you think your halls would like to be involved in this competition next year why not approach your university, gauge their interest and contact NUS or Student Switch Off for assistance.

International students 'fleeced' by introduction of ID cards

Added on 25/11/2008

NUS raises concerns over the government's plan to require compulsory identity cards and fingerprint collection for foreign nationals.

Today the government is set to roll out the next stage of its ID card proposals. From now on, all international students entering education or renewing their visa will be charged £30 for a compulsory ID card.

Singled out

NUS believes singling out international students from the rest of the student population could lead to increased discrimination and alienation for students already facing the daunting challenge of leaving home and studying in a foreign country.

“The attractiveness of UK higher education to students from other countries should not be put at risk by these onerous and costly procedures that implicitly treat them with suspicion," says NUS President Wes Streeting. "By singling out international students from their peers with biometric identity cards, a group already at risk of stigmatisation will be indelibly marked as different.”

Deterrent

The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) often states its intention to increase the number of international students within the UK. Yet the enforced adoption of these cards could deter the very students our universities are seeking to attract, stripping universities of vital funding, and our campus communities of the cultural diversity we currently enjoy. Last week fifteen universities spoke out about the impracticalities of this scheme.

NUS is concerned that the Home Office and UK universities are simply not prepared to process the significant number of applications, potentially meaning international students could be denied access to a university not because of academic ability but as a result of administrative delays.

British citizens The government also plans to roll out voluntary ID cards for young people and students in 2010 ahead of proposals to make them compulsory for all British citizens.