Black Students' Campaign update
NUS Black Students' Winter Conference
18th -19th November, Britannia Hotel, Wolverhampton
The NUS Black Students Campaign's Winter Conference is open to all students of African, Arab, Asian and Caribbean heritage. The conference is a unique opportunity to meet and network with other Black students from across the country and will include prominent Black speakers addressing key issues facing the Black community today, including Dominique Walker, Sister of Anthony Walker, Keith Jarrett, National Chair of the Black Police Association, Student Asylum Seeker Flores Sukula, Lee Jasper, National Black Alliance, Karen Chouhan – Trustee of the 1990 Trust, Simon Wooley from Operation Black Vote, Kofi Klu – Pan Afrikan Study Group, Sabby Dhalu from Unite Against Fascism, Amro Bilal, General Union of Palestinian Students. There will also be a range of workshop on topics including increasing black representation, enganging in your students union and running anti-racist campaigns on campus.
Each students' union can send up to four delegates. To register visit your student union and speak to the president or Student Liason officer. All costs are covered by your student union. For more information visit the events page here or email ruqs@nus.org.uk
Order the NUS Black Students' Handbook 2006-07
The Black Students' Campaign is proud to launch the new handbook for 2006-07. The handbook is an important resource for Black students, whether campaigning for increased representation, against racism, running successful clubs and societies or accessing help with careers or welfare issues.
Please look out for a copy of the Handbook, along with an order form in the NUS mailing. Copies will be available at the Black Students' Conference.
Rise Against Racism
The Black Students' Campaign, in partnership with Student Assembly Against Racism and the Mayor of London, have worked with student unions across London to organise a range of Rise Against Racism initiatives throughout the month of November. Ranging from debates, food fairs and film showings to club nights and cultural events, Student Rise aims to bring the message of the successful Rise festival to campus - celebrating multiculturalism and diversity and saying no racism.
It is not too late to get involved no matter where we are in the country. Email ruqs@nus.org.uk or contactsaar@hotmail.com for help and advice.
Equality in Our Lifetime? Discrimination Law Review seminar
9th November, 9.30am-2pm, City Hall, London
On 9th November the NUS Black Students Campaign will be participating in an important debate with key stakeholder organisations to put forward the Campaigns views on the contents of the Single Equality Act.
Described as the biggest shake up in equality legislation in a generation, now is a crucial time to ensure that new legislation takes into account the experience of the Black community. Early signs are not positive with the government having refused to listen to the concerns of Black community organisations and include specific provision for addressing racial discrimination within the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights.
If you would like to attend as part of the Black Students' Campaign delegation please email ruqs@nus.org.uk
Unite Against Fascism protest
Outside BNP conference in Blackpool, Saturday 25th November
The BNP has announced on their website that they are planning a conference on the weekend of 25-26 November in Blackpool. The BNP has not announced the venue and local people including the leader of the council, hotels, trade unions, students and anti-fascist groups have condemned the BNP for attempting to hold their conference in Blackpool. UAF will call a protest outside the BNP conference on Saturday 25 November in Blackpool, if it goes ahead. We ask members and supporters to remain vigilant and keep checking the UAF website for details.
Defend Freedom of Religion and Culture rally
20th November at Methodist Central Hall Westminster, London, 6.00-9.30pm.
Freedom of religion is one of our most precious democratic rights. It took hundreds of years, including international and civil wars, to establish the right of every individual to freely pursue their religious beliefs subject only to their conscience and to the necessary and proportionate protection of the rights and the freedoms of others. It must be defended against every challenge.
Britain today faces a systematic campaign by sections of the media and some politicians, fanned by the BNP, to undermine this right by sowing hatred against Muslims. This has culminated in physical attacks, fire bombings and assaults on women. This campaign constitutes an attack on civil and religious liberties including an attempt to suppress the right of persons of all faiths to dress in accordance with their religious convictions. It must be strongly opposed – as indeed should any attack on the rights of Christians, Jews, Sikhs or any other religious group.
It is necessary for all democrats, of all faiths and none, to come together to defend these basic principles of freedom of religion and culture.
As the first step, faith groups are coming together with all political parties and communities to a central London public rally to support freedom of religion and culture and to call for an end to the recent attacks on Muslims.
IMAAN Conference
10th-12th November, London
NUS Black Students Campaign Committee members have helped organised the Imaan national conference, the LGBT Muslim support group - which is open to LGBT Muslims, their friends and supporters. The conference is three packed days of workshops, discussions, socialising and entertainment themed around Homosexuality & Islam. The conference provides a unique opportunity to discuss the double discrimination of Homophobia and Islamophobia that is faced by LGBT Muslims.
For more information go to www.imaan.org.uk or call 07849 170 793.
World Aids Day
1st December
The 1st December will mark World Aids Day, an international day of action to highlight the devastating consequences of HIV/AIDS worldwide. Internationally, 40 million people live with HIV worldwide and with only 8% of people with the virus in developing countries having access to treatment there were 3 million deaths in 2005. The NUS Black Students Campaign will be supporting initiatives calling on western governments to meet their responsibilities and do more to tackle HIV and AIDS. Visit www.worldaidsday.org for more information or email ruqs@nus.org.uk for help or advice on organising events in your students' union.
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