USI is a member of The European Students’ Union (ESU). ESU is the umbrella organisation of 44 National Unions of Students (NUS) from 38 countries. The NUSes are open to all students in their respective country regardless of political persuasion, religion, ethnic or cultural origin, sexual orientation or social standing. Its member organisations are also student-run, autonomous, representative and operate according to democratic principles.
The aim of ESU
The aim of ESU is to represent and promote the educational, social, economic and cultural interests of students at European level towards all relevant bodies and in particular the European Union, Bologna Follow Up Group, Council of Europe and UNESCO. Through its members, ESU represents over 15 million students in Europe.
Activities
Since decisions concerning higher education are increasingly taken at the European level, ESU’s role as the only European-wide student platform is similarly growing:
- Bringing together, training and informing national student representatives on policy developments in higher education at the European level;
- Organising seminars, training, campaigns and conferences relevant to students;
- Conducting European-wide research, partnership projects and campaigns;
- Producing a variety of publications for students, policy-makers and higher education professionals.
- See also ESU’s statutes and standing orders (as adopted at the Board Meeting in Bucharest, Romania, April 2012), ESU’s activity reports and ESU’s Plans of Work.
ESU’s mission as adopted at its 61st Board Meeting:
ESU’s mission is to represent, defend and strengthen students’ educational, democratic and political and social rights. ESU will work for sustainable, accessible and high quality higher education in Europe.
Vision
Equal educational and social opportunities in an open and democratic Europe where students shape a sustainable future.
Values
ESU is diverse, democratic and open-minded.
- ESU represens all students in Europe, understanding the diversity of the students. ESU is inclusive and strives for solidarity within the students’ movement.
- ESU is independent. ESU structures facilitate the accountability of the elected representatives, works with respect towards all members and their different opinions and functions transparently.
- ESU is unconventional and open for new thoughts. We, as experts of higher education bring in courageous and smart ideas through a fresh and spontaneous, but professional attitude.