Hello ed net, I just wanted to know if you all have any thing better to discuss than the world of NUS elections. so I will post for you some interesting news from the international world of less fortunate students than yourselves, and maybe one day you can too could be part of a student movement that helps others with out spending four hour discussion the finer points of ultra Vires. or even, just prioritise a debate at conference of an altruistic value!

Xx Lloyde

The Students peace prize 2005

Asociacion Colombiana de Estudiantes Universitarios, ACEU has been awarded the Student Peace Prize of 2005 for its enduring non-violent struggle for a democratic and fair Colombia and for students’ rights to education and student democracy. The organisation was established in 1998, as a result of an increase in the involvement and engagement among students in student democracy and national politics, and it is now the largest student organisation in Colombia. Since 1998 ACEU has become a vital contributor in the effort for democracy in Colombia. Today the organisation is working to protect basic human rights, it is urging for a peaceful solution of the conflict in Colombia, and the student activists are fighting for students’ right to education and the right to have a say in matters affecting student life.

Colombia is a country affected by over 40 years of civil war, and civilians live a life in fear of the guerrilla, illegal military groups and the national army. The country has over 3 million internal refugees, who have been forced to flee from everything they own, as victims of a brutal conflict. The present civil war goes back to a violent period between 1948 and 1958, called “La Violencia”. The peace treaty that was signed after this violent period did not solve the underlying problems in Colombia; it only maintained the situation of political and social inequality. The conflict escalated when the two guerrilla groups FARC and ELN were established in the 1960’s. They wanted to change the social and political injustice, but their means have been violence and armed battle. In addition the guerrillas have been known to use kidnapping and ransoms to support their operations, and they are very involved in the cocaine and heroin industry.

Different illegal military groups have also been established, and their aim is to stop FARC and ELN and their methods. But the military groups harass torture or kill everyone who is sympathizing with the guerrilla groups, and in their definition that could be human rights activists or labour union leaders. Some analysts also claim that the illegal military groups are cooperating with the national army, and that they do the work that the national army will not do themselves. In the middle of this conflict are the civilians trying to live a normal life. But the violent conflict in Colombia has made life difficult and dangerous for farmers, students and regular people.

President Alvaro Uribe has ended all peace talks between the authorities, the illegal military groups and the guerrillas, and he now wants to use the national army to destroy all opposition. ACEU has clearly stated that it is necessary to resume the peace negotiation, if Uribe wants a peaceful solution to the conflict. ACEU is a strong critic of Uribes methods, and this as endangered the organisation and its activists.

Students in Columbia have shown courage and determination as they defy the dangers and difficulties which are entailed in the fight for education and democracy. Focusing on the use of peaceful and non-violence means in the fight for peace and human rights, ACEU have shown that students can be a major force in the fight for a peaceful democratic society.

By educating students in human rights issues, ACEU is spreading consciousness and knowledge among students. They demonstrate that education and democracy have to go hand in hand. The organisation is working on many fronts and has been able to create networks across political and national boundaries.

The Student Peace Prize

The Student Peace Prize is awarded on behalf of all students in Norway, and it has become an important part of the International Student Festival in Trondheim, ISFiT. The founders of the prize felt strongly that students fighting for peace and human rights were often neglected or forgotten by the media and politicians. Students are, and have been, important in the work for peace and democracy worldwide. Their work sometimes includes risking their own lives and therefore the Student Peace Prize wishes to contribute so that students get the attention they deserve. The prize is also meant to give inspiration to continue working for basic human rights. This is why ISFiT launched the Student Peace Prize for the first time in 1999, and the prize has received considerable attention and support both in Norway and in the home countries of the winners.
Equally important, the Student Peace Prize gives the laureates the opportunity to present their cause by attracting a lot of media attention. The winners also get to meet Norwegian and international politicians, NGO’s, professors, media, and students from all over the world during ISFiT.
Former Student Peace Prize winners include Antero Benedito da Silva from East Timor (1999) and the All Burma Federation of Student Unions with their leader Min Ko Naing (2001). In 2003, the Student Peace Prize was awarded to Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) for their long and hard struggle for basic human rights under Robert Mugabe's dictatorial regime. All these areas of conflict have been international issues.
The prize is awarded every second year, and the laureate receives NOK 50 000. In 2005, the winner of the Student Peace Prize was announced on 11 January, and will come to Norway during the ISFiT festival. The official ceremony will be on 17 February 2005 in Trondheim.
The peace prize committee consisted of: Thorvald Stoltenberg, Stein Tønneson, Gro Brækken, Kjersti Strømmen, Eirik Løkke, Maria Collett Knagenhjelm, Ibe Hoel and Erik Evans
For more information on ISFiT, see www.isfit.org .