UMSU Activist

Proposer: John McSweeny

Seconder: Amy Pettitt

THIS UNION NOTES

1. Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states that “everyone has the right to education.”

2. Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.”

3. The policy passed at the UMSU General Meeting on March 7th 2007 entitled ‘Palestine and the Right to Education’ which twinned UMSU with the student union of Al Najah National University, Nablus.

4. Palestinian students are regularly disrupted on their way to university by Israeli checkpoints.

5. Over the past month more than 50 students have exercised their right to free speech and stood against the current plaque in the foyer of the Students’ Union.

6. Palestinians have placed huge importance on education. According to the Palestinian Right to Education campaign there is a 98.2% literacy rate between 15-24 year olds and a 91.1% total adult literacy. The highest in the region.

7. Students in Palestine are the next generation and will be instrumental in bringing about Peace in Palestine as their future relies on it. Ismat, an economics student at Berziet University said: “Of course me and my fellow students want peace…our future relies on it…what would I do with a degree after four years of studying if we never get peace”. (http://www.actionpalestine.org/wp/index.php/10/about-one-voice/)

8. Education is one of the few outlets which Palestinians have been able to use to express their statehood and express their opinions.

9. Solidarity campaigns with Palestinians have often come under attack by pro-Israeli apartheid organisations and individuals who have made up slanders accusation claiming that supporting Palestinian educational institutions is support for “terrorism”.

10. The olive tree has been a symbol of the connection for centuries between Palestinians and their land and is a universal symbol for peace.

THIS UNION BELIEVES

1. That from the motion on 07/03/07 entitled PALESTINE AND THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION everyone has the right to education and we at UMSU should work to help this right be realised in areas where education is being infringed upon.

2. That UMSU has a responsibility to use its links with Al-Najah to promote progression of peace and tolerance.

3. That education is the key to gaining a full and proper understanding of the very complex situation in the Middle East and that education and empowerment of young people is the best hope for a peaceful solution.

4. That UMSU should be a safe and welcoming space for all its members and that members should feel comfortable using Union facilities and Union buildings.

5. Supporting the right to education for Palestinians is in itself a step towards peace. Thus twinning with Palestinian Universities helps break down the isolation being put on Palestinian students (isolation which is imposed on all Palestinians). This means it empowers a layer of people who have the best interests for the future of peace in the region.

6. Attempts to stop solidarity campaigns with Palestinian students and undermine already existing links with Palestinian students and undermine already existing links with Palestinian universities are no different than the isolation that is imposed on them from the Occupation. Thus they are only exacerbating the problem and these attempts should be opposed.

THIS UNION RESOLVES

1. To accept the invitation by An-Najah University to receive an olive tree from them and plant it on campus as a gesture of peace and as a symbol of life.

2. Allow for a fortnightly article from An-Najah University students, which will be sent to the General Secretary from the official An-Najah Students’ Union email address, to be printed in Student Direct.

3. To reaffirm and continue to strengthen our commitment to the twinning with An-Najah University.