Politics.be - ESU : Chilean student leaders ask for European support

PARIS – Representatives of the national Chilean student body CONFECH are travelling through Europe this week seeking international support for their ongoing fight for reforms in the Chilean national education system. Karina Ufert, vice-chairperson of the European Students’ Union (ESU) will meet representatives of CONFECH at a conference of UNEF (*) in Paris on 18 October to support their cause.

Ufert said: “Back in August, ESU sent out a solidarity statement to the Chilean student protests. However, nothing has changed so we now reiterate our solidarity with the Chilean student movement.”

She added: “Education is a public good and every student in the world should have open and free access to quality higher education.”

During their time in Paris, the Chilean student movement leaders Camila Vallejo and Giorgio Jackson are planning to meet the human rights commission of the United Nations and representatives of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Furthermore Berlin and the University of Humbolt are on the list for a visit by Vallejo and Jackson.

Background

Many Chilean students hit the streets in August to protest against the situation in Chile where public funding of higher education is below the OECD average. As a result, the burden of covering the full costs of studying, including tuition and living expenses, falls on students and their families cannot afford it.

According to Chilean students, quality of teaching in private universities and technical institutes is not properly regulated. Mainly students from lower socioeconomic background study in these institutions as lower exam results make it impossible for them to qualify for public universities for further studies. Ufert continued: “Many students find themselves graduating with huge debts and a degree that is of little practical value on the labour market.”

All around Europe, students’ representatives are expressing their support to the Chilean student movement. NSO, ESU’s Norwegian member has planned an act of support to the Chilean leaders on 19 October at 3.30 PM outside the Norwegian Parliament. They will sing and read a declaration of support. Among ESU’s member unions who have already sent out a support letter in August are France (UNEF), the UK (NUS-UK), Belgium (FEF), Italy (UDU), Bosnia & Herzegovina (SURS) and the Netherlands (ISO).

Published: 18 October 2011

(*) UNEF is one of the two French members from ESU

(**) ESU Statement on Chile from August 2011 can be read here: http://www.esu-online.org/news/article/6065/525/

For more information, please contact: Karina Ufert, ESU Vice-Chairperson: +32/473.669.892 or [email protected] or Marianne Slegers, ESU Communications Manager: +32/473.669.894 or [email protected]

Bron: politics.be