On October 20-23, it was finally time for SFS to host the Nordic Presidents' Meeting, NOM, in Gothenburg! NOM is the cooperation body for the Nordic and Baltic student organizations, and SFS's main platform for cooperation on issues within the European Student Cooperation, ESU. Göta Student Union was responsible for implementing and coordinating the local work around NOM, with support from Sahlgrenska Academy Student Union, the Art Union and Chalmers Student Union.
During the pandemic years, NOM has not been able to be held physically in place, but now it was finally time. In order to focus on experiences and lessons learned from these years within higher education in the region, the theme this time was precisely Falling through the cracks? Student work environment and mental health.
The majority of the program items were held in Gothenburg University's new premises in Nya Humanisten. Thursday began with an introductory speech by SFS chair Linn Svärd, which can be read here. With an emphasis on international solidarity as the basis of the student movement and the value of meeting in person, the tone for our coming days was set. Then Claes Andersson from Malmö University took over with a presentation of data on student mental health from the WMH-ISC project and how the pandemic has affected student well-being.
Friday was the first full day of NOM82. Peder de Thurah Toft from the Nordic Council began the day by talking about the Council's work in the field of education. Afterwards, Susanna Young Håkansson and Angelica Simonsson from NIKK presented their report about the changing labor market and gender equality in the Nordic countries. Before lunch, we also had a workshop where we went through each organization's work on issues related to mental health and the work environment for students. We were not only there to learn from the speakers, but also from each other!
Friday continued with Johan Häggman presenting the work within the Network for Students' Work Environment and Alma Joensen from the Swedish Council for Universities, UHR, presenting how the exchange within Erasmus+ in the Nordic and Baltic countries was affected during the pandemic.
Saturday offered presentations on a mix of different themes. Ninni Carlsson and Sylvia Frisk from the University of Gothenburg began the day with a presentation on student-centered teaching. This was followed by Hector Ulloa from the Studentenes og Akademikernes Internasjonale Hjelpefond, SAIH, who discussed student activism and the reception of refugee students, with a focus on Norway's work with Students at Risk. This is something that Komit will use in the continued work with Scholars at Risk. Then Shruti Taneja Johansson from the University of Gothenburg presented her research on support for students with disabilities. The last presentation for NOM82 was given by Adrian Hyde-Price, also from the University of Gothenburg. Adrian spoke about the changing security policy situation with a focus on the Baltic Sea region. All presentations offered a great variety but at the same time a clear connection to student policy issues!
NOM concluded on Sunday after the decision-making meeting in the Studenten House. The agenda included information from board members from ESU, discussion about the upcoming ESU Board Meeting and discussion about coordinating work on solidarity issues such as Students at Risk.
SFS would like to thank all the student union associations present and everyone who was part of organizing NOM, from SFS, Göta Student Union, Chalmers Student Union, Konstkåren and Sahlgrenska Academy Student Union! We also extend a big thank you to all the speakers!
Photos: Erik Diaz Milla, SFS International Committee, Committee.