SFS member meeting in Falun 31 Oct - 1 Nov 2016.
The theme for SFS's member meeting was "Students and academia - roles, future and conditions in a changing knowledge society" and which always included the program both lectures, workshop work and time for mingling and exchange of experiences. About 50 people from member unions, the nomination committee, the board and SFS's office gathered in Studenternas hus Kåre, in the middle of central Falun. A magnificent building with crystal chandeliers, oil paintings and high ceilings.
All program items had interactive elements with a variety of working methods, to really spark discussions and let everyone have their say. The members' meeting got to talk in small hives, debate on stage, interview each other and do SWOT analyzes.
The purpose of SFS member meetings is to give the member corps an opportunity to meet, discuss and reason about issues concerning the organization as well as our areas of influence. It is an opportunity as a member corps to take part in both continuing education and skills development, as well as an opportunity to network and bring new ideas, thoughts and collaborations home.
Many topics of discussion aroused the members' involvement in Falun. Politically, questions about international influence, the resource allocation system and the students' role in UKÄ's new quality assurance system aroused much commitment and the unions were very active with both questions and concerns. Organizationally, the Nomination Committee's passport evoked the election presidium, as well as the Bureau's passport together with the Nomination Committee on the work of increasing interest in various positions of trust, a great commitment as many are concerned about securing the organization's future.
Many unions are currently thinking a lot about how they can best fulfill their role in the new quality assurance system. We do this too, and after the members' meeting, several of these thoughts are put forward when we put together the map for future work. The great interest in even complex issues such as the resource allocation system for higher education not only provides energy in one's future involvement, but also shows a hungry and challenging student movement.
In conclusion, we would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to the host corps Dalarna's student union and all committed middle unions who contributed to a memorable and rewarding meeting. The next membership meeting is in Stockholm and then we will continue the development of the student policy debate!
Brief summary of the program
Position of trust: How can we guarantee a future with strong and broad representation? Lecture and discussion with chair Caroline Sundberg about being a student representative
The role of students in the new quality assurance system. Magnus Johansson, investigator at UKÄ (University Chancellor's Office), was invited as a guest and gave a lecture on the students' role in the new system. up “student submission”, a pilot project that offers student unions to attach their own appendix to UKÄ's evaluations of educations.
SFS future. Board member Pooyan Masarrat held a workshop based on the board's work on issues related to SFS's identity and vision.
The resource allocation system. Lecture and discussion with Vice President Charlotta Tjärdahl about the resource allocation system due to SFS's upcoming work on the focus issue of resources for higher education.
International education policy and SFS advocacy work. Lecture with chair Caroline Sundberg on SFS's work within the European Students' Union (ESU), education issues at European level and current examples of ongoing debates. Subsequent workshop with four current issues and debate teams that argued for or against.
The Nomination Committee. The Nomination Committee's representatives held a workshop where the question of the size of SFS presidium was discussed. Previously, the presidium consisted of three presidiums. What are the advantages and disadvantages of two and three presidents, respectively? The Nomination Committee also encouraged the member unions to nominate many people for the assignments that will be announced before SFS FUM 2017. They want a broad representation among the applicants.
Best party. Workshop on the project Best party, which SFS runs together with IQ and participating unions and nations.