Black Students' Winter Conference 2008

Added on 30/09/2008

TUC, Congress House, London
22 - 23 November 2008

Registration deadline has now been extended to 1pm Monday 17 November

The Black Students' Campaign is for students of African, Asian, Arab or Caribbean descent. ‘Black’ is the political term used to unite Black people experiencing racism and under-representation in education and in society.

This event provides Black students with a great opportunity to come together and learn about the Campaign and its initiatives. It also allows students to engage in debates on contemporary issues while networking and sharing information.

The first day will feature a number of high-profile speakers from the Black community. In recent years our speakers have included the head of the Black Police Association, representatives from the Muslim Council of Britain, National Assembly Against Racism, and Operation Black Vote, as well as Black journalists and MPs.

The second day will include a number of workshops to provide delegates with training on running clubs and societies, building anti-racism campaigns and increasing Black representation. Anecdotal evidence shows that Black students who attend this conference go back and take up initiatives in their unions.

This is an excellent opportunity for your students to be introduced to the Campaign and contribute to the democracy of your union. It also enables us to build links between the Campaign and students’ unions.

Delegates are invited to attend for the duration of conference but may register for individual days if preferred.

Win an iPod through a multicultural photo comp

Added on 16/07/2008

NUS Black students campaign is backing a new photography competition by the National Assembly Against Racism and Unison.

The competition aims to reflect the value and positive impact of multiculturalism on the UK. Regular snappers and new-comers to photographer are all invited to get behind the view-finder and supply an image they feel meets this aim.

Britain's multiculturalism has helped the country grow over the past century, however, it’s also experienced attacks from sections of the media and politicians. Those of us who value its positive impact on our society are voicing our support to assert the fact that multicultural Britain is a reality that cannot be wished away.

To find out more about the competition go to www.naar.org.uk/multiculturalism. Please pass this link onto your students so that they can also take part.

NUS Black Achievers’ Awards 2008

Added on 08/07/2008

Held at Black Students’ Conference in June, the NUS Black Achievers’ Awards recognised and celebrated the achievements of individuals and students’ unions that have demonstrated exemplary support for Black students across the UK.

Palestinian student Khaled Al-Mudallal was one of two individuals named Black Student of the Year 2008. Khaled was detained in Gaza as a result of restrictions on his movement, imposed by Israeli authorities, preventing him from completing his degree at Bradford University. Following huge international pressure, Khaled was allowed to return and has since spent much of his time speaking at various meetings and events across the country to raise awareness of the situation.

Khaled Al-Mudalla said: "I am proud that NUS supports and works so hard for my campaign and that students in the UK have campaigned for my right to education and my right of movement, I wish that this support from NUS would continue for all issues of Palestine.

"Winning the award is not the end of my campaign, but it will be the start for a bigger campaign and events to reflect on the need of education freedom in Palestine.

"During the Black Students Conference we launched a new campaign called, ‘Let Palestinians study’. This aims [to build] an awareness to British students and gain enough support by students’ unions, teachers, lecturers, MPs, etc."

Award winners

Black Student of the Year
Khaled Al-Mudallal - letkhaledstudy.co.uk
Sarika Singh - supportsarika.co.uk/

Black Student Officer of the Year
Sky La-Foucade - University of East London
Adil Ahmed - Teeside University

Campaign of the Year
Let Luqman Stay - Sussex University
Palestine Society - LSE

Student Union of the Year
Nottingham Trent University
Westminster Kingsway College

Bell Ribeiro-Addy elected as new Black Students' Officer

Added on 12/06/2008

Bell Ribeiro-Addy has been elected as the Black Students' Officer for 2008/09.

Elected at one of the best attended Black Students' Conferences in years, Bell has existing experience of this NUS Liberation campaign - having sat on the Black Students' Committee last year and edited the latest edition of the black students' handbook.

Speaking on Bell's election manifesto, current Black Students' Officer Ruqayyah Collector said: "Bell has a fantastic record of defending all sections of the black community."

Download the election results.

Happy Birthday Nelson Mandela

Added on 05/06/2008

There are only a few milestones in life that we celebrate– your eighteenth birthday, passing your driving test and your graduation – but getting to your ninetieth birthday is definitely one that should be celebrated…and especially so if your Nelson Mandela. On 18 July 2008 millions of people throughout the world will celebrate Nelson Mandela's ninetieth birthday.

This year provides us with the opportunity to celebrate Mandela, the movement he represented and also the role that the UK student movement played in the struggle.

Said Black Students' Officer Ruqayyah Collector: "Nelson Mandela has been a huge inspiration to black students in Britain. He statement of support for the NUS Black Students' Winter conference last year empowered black students to get active and challenge all forms of discrimination. Marking his ninetieth birthday gives us an opportuinty to remember the struggle Mandela led against aparteid and re-engage in efforts to end racism on our campuses."

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