I strongly believe in the internationalism of the student movement. Students - like any other members of society - do not live in a vacuum, isolated from what's going on in the world around them, writes Gemma Tumelty.
In 1922, students came together to campaign for peace in Europe. In 1967 they undermined the Vietnam war. And after years of students boycotting Barclays, the bank eventually pulled out of apartheid South Africa.
Today, the wrongs in the world may be slightly different, but one thing hasn't changed; the student movement still has a role to play in trying to put them right.
I am under no illusions that the student movement alone can cure the ills of the modern world. However, just because we cannot provide the answers to the horrific events in the Middle East, or problems unfolding daily across the globe, it doesn't mean we should ignore them. Students have a huge role to play in raising awareness of inequity and injustice. It is up to every one of us - student, banker, teacher - to do what is possible to work towards a fairer global society. There are practical and much needed contributions students can make.
Many in our movement are, once again, getting involved in campaigns for South Africa. A recent youth delegation that went to the country came back enthused, passionate and knowing that there is so much the student movement can do to support post apartheid South Africa. Whether it be assisting with strengthening their newly formed National Union of Students, helping to raise awareness about the HIV/Aids pandemic, or selling water in student union shops. This year we hope to sell "one" water on UK campuses, the profits of which will directly fund pumps that provide clean water in South Africa, and a play area for children in the villages. So, just through buying a bottle of water students can make a real difference to other people's lives.
Sunday marks the global day for Darfur. The situation in the region is deteriorating, and the eyes of the world are turning away. Despite a peace deal signed in May, the violence has continued. Just 12 years on from the Rwandan genocide, we are in danger of letting similar mass violence go on without making our voices heard. That's why NUS is supporting the Global Day for Darfur through our work with the Aegis Trust.
The fact is getting involved in international issues does not detract from the other things we do, or from our core messages. Instead, it gives a wider context to those issues and it ensures we remain citizens of the world, responsive and aware of issues that others are facing in the global community around us. We alone cannot solve them, but we will not ignore them.
