I’m not a fan of answering surveys or questionnaires (you know, the ones where you decide whether you “strongly agree”, “somewhat agree” or just “agree” with a plethora of statements), but as a statistician, I do love analysing the results. I’m guessing there’s some sort of contradiction in there.

So anyway, if I had to pigeonhole myself for some such survey on technological competency, I reckon I’d tick the “somewhat knowledgeable” box. Hence, the world wide web is one of my primary sources for information. Here’s some top links that best sum up me and my politics:

Organisations I’m a member of…

• NUS: www.nusonline.co.uk and www.officeronline.co.uk

I got involved in the student movement during my first week as a student, and five years later I’m privileged to now be a member of the National Executive of NUS.

• NUS Scotland: www.nusonline.co.uk/scotland

As a member of a Scottish students’ association, I’m also involved in NUS Scotland. I’m convinced that NUS Scotland is currently the most effective section of our national union (top-up fees are non-existent north of the border, Scottish students do not pay tuition fees and we’ll soon have free medical prescriptions for students).

• Heriot-Watt University Students Association: www.hwusa.org

Heriot-Watt University’s main campus is in Edinburgh, with satellite campuses in the Scottish Borders, Orkney and now Dubai. I was the (sabbatical) President of the Students Association for 2005/06 and have been re-elected for 2006/07.

• Labour Students: www.labourstudents.org.uk

Labour Students is an autonomous and democratic organisation which affiliates to the Labour Party because it shares the same values and beliefs: democracy, equality, opportunity for all and social justice. Labour Students supports Labour Clubs at campuses across the UK, runs campaigns, promotes debate, sets policy and attempted to influence the direction of the Party on issues of importance to students. It campaigns for Labour during elections but is not part of the government, is not a cheerleader for the government and opposes government policy which would be detrimental to students (for example, Labour Students opposed and continues to oppose top-up fees).

• Scottish Labour Students: www.scottishlabourstudents.labour.co.uk

SLS is part of UK-wide Labour Students. It is an autonomous and democratic organisation that affiliates to the Scottish Labour Party. As a Scottish-based student, I’m also part of SLS.

• Labour Party: www.labour.org.uk

I believe in collectivism, democracy, equality, social justice, opportunity for all, and a progressive, fair, tolerant and just society. I believe that by the strength of our common endeavour, we achieve more than we achieve alone. That’s why I’m part of the labour movement and the Labour Party.

• Scottish Labour Party: www.scottishlabour.org.uk

The Scottish Labour Party is integral within the UK-wide Labour Party and so as a Scot, I’m a member of both.

• Amicus: www.amicustheunion.org

By joining a trade union, you become part of a collective. You come together with your colleagues to fight together and win together to make your working day better. My union is Amicus.

• Oxfam: www.oxfam.org.uk

An international non-government organisation (NGO) and registered UK charity that works with others to overcome poverty and suffering in the world in which we all live.

• Action for Southern Africa (Actsa): www.actsa.org

Actsa was born out of the UK Anti-Apartheid Movement and campaigns with the people of Southern Africa as they strive to build a better future, working for peace, democracy and development across the region. In June 2006, I was part of an Actsa-led delegation which visited South Africa and Swaziland to gain a broader understanding of the complex problems and challenges that are being faced there and what work Actsa is involved in.

• The Children of Swaziland: www.thechildrenofswaziland.org

Swaziland is a beautiful country but in crisis – although you would never know it from the lack of coverage it gets from our media and press. Its population is less than 1 million, over 40% are HIV/Aids positive and few can afford access to the anti-retroviral drugs they need. Life expectance is amongst the lowest in the world, resulting in thousands upon thousands of orphans living in poverty. Through this small charity, you can sponsor an orphan and make a massive difference to their prospects in the short term whilst long term, sustainable solutions are sought.

Links of interest…

• BBC News: www.bbc.co.uk/news

I visit this site more than any other and it alone is worth the license fee (although I don’t believe students should be paying a fee at all). Log on for unparalleled, comprehensive and in depth news coverage from across the UK and globe.

• Guardian Unlimited (The Guardian online): www.guardian.co.uk

Online version of my broadsheet newspaper of choice which I try to read most days.

• Education Guardian: http://education.guardian.co.uk

Weekly supplement to The Guardian, although the online version updates with new stories as and when they break. Well worth a read if you are a student officer to find out the latest events and hot topics of debate within the education sector.

• Times Educational Supplement (TES): www.tes.co.uk

Online edition of the weekly publication covering the world of the UK education sector.

• Times Higher Educational Supplement (THES): www.thyes.co.uk

Online edition of the weekly publication covering the world of higher education in the UK. I’d recommend to any student officer that they find time to read the TES and THES. If you don’t already, get your Association/Union to take out a subscription.

• TUC: www.tuc.org.uk

Umbrella organisation of the trade union movement, which individual trade unions are members of. NUS and the TUC and have history of working together on campaigns and the student movement has so much to learn from the TUC’s fantastic Organising Academy initiative.

• UK Parliament: www.parliament.uk

The heart of democracy in the United Kingdom, passing legislation on the workings of this country.

• Scottish Parliament: www.scottish.parliament.uk

Established in 1999 as part of the UK government’s devolution program, the Scottish Parliament debates and legislates on education in Scotland as well as on a whole range of other devolved issues.

• NUS Services Limited: www.nussl.co.uk

The buying consortium set up by NUS to allow member associations/unions to purchase goods for their commercial services at a cheaper rate, thereby passing savings onto students.

• NUS Extra: www.nusextra.co.uk

With it’s national launch this September (2006), the NUS Extra card will offer students discounts from national names as well as local companies. The revenue raised has the potential to revolutionise the way our national union is run and provide much needed additional income for our member associations/unions.

• The National Union of Students in Europe: www.esib.org

The NUS of NUS’! The National Union of Students in Europe is made up of 44 national unions from 34 countries and through them it represents some 10 million students. NUS UK is a member.

• Make Poverty History: www.makepovertyhistory.org

The white armbands may have gone out of fashion and there are no Bob Geldolf concerts to enjoy but global poverty has by no means gone away. The MPH website has details of how you can keep campaigning throughout 2006 and beyond.

• Private Eye: www.private-eye.co.uk

Political and current affairs satire at its best. Private Eye is the fortnightly magazine that has become something of a British institution. You can read some of its features on the website, but from the rest you’ll have to nip down to your local newsagent and pick up a copy (or take out a subscription like me)

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