Social dimension of HE and the Social dimension of HE and the engagement of the communityengagement of the community

Alma JoensenMember of the Executive CommitteeEuropean Students’ Unionsalma@esu-online.org

Spanish Presidency Conference Málaga, 25th of May, 2010

The European Students’ Union (ESU)•Umbrella organisation of 45 National

Unions of Students from 37 countries in Europe

•Represents 11 millions of students•Guards the educational, social, economic

and cultural interests of students

The SD in the Bologna Process

•Prague 2001 – Students become partners in the Bologna Process and bring the SD with them

•Bergen 2005 – The SD becomes an integral part of the process

•London 2007 –Definition of the SD + National Action plans before 2009

•Leuven 2009 – Indicators and measureable targets introduced

Community responsibility1. Share the social responsibility•Higher Education: Public responsibility

and public good•Common efforts of all bodies•Take on part of the social responsibility

and support the development of the universities

Community responsibility2. Student support services•Fundamental services provided by the city

▫Accommodation▫Food▫Transportation etc.

•Essential for the every day life of students•Should be available for all students

Community responsibility3. Student/youth friendly community•Take into account the needs and demands

of young citizens, students and graduates▫Employability▫Child care

•Ensure diverse services to meet the diverse student body

The SD – not yet a reality..

•Why do the actions not measure up to the commitments?

•Are there ways to speed up the process?•Who is responsible?

▫politicians?▫ministries?▫institutions?▫communities?▫All mentioned above?

Thank you!

alma@esu-online.orgwww.esu-online.org