One of the most special years in a long time is now coming to an end. It is a difficult year to summarize. Corona has permeated large parts of the year, but at the same time a lot of other things have also happened. It has been a year of both progress and setbacks for the student movement and higher education. Above all, it has been a year of unexpected challenges and new solutions. In this column, we make an attempt to summarize the past year.
Even though many of us are probably quite tired of talking about the corona pandemic by now, it is still inevitable to start there. In March, when the pandemic hit, no one knew whether universities would have to close and that if so, it would mean that students would be left without study funds, as that was how CSN's rules looked. SFS met with the Ministry of Education, which heard the students' concerns, and after that it was decided that students would be allowed to keep their study funds in a scenario where the university was forced to close. At that time, many of us breathed a sigh of relief.
The corona pandemic also meant that the SFS General Assembly in Halmstad had to be cancelled and instead held digitally. At SFSFUM, Matilda Strömberg was dismissed as chairwoman. Simon Edström remained on the presidium but now as chairwoman and with Linn Svärd as Vice, they formed the new SFS presidium. The rapid transition to a digital FUM led to the decision to organize an extra council. So in October the first extra-SFSFUM in 47 years of the bar.
The rest of the spring continued under the sign of corona. We saw that the concern for the summer was great and although this unfortunately did not lead to the possibility of student funding over the summer, the issue of a renewal of unemployment insurance and the possibility of unemployment insurance for students was raised on the agenda. It is an issue that we continued to work on during the autumn, including together with TCO.
Then came the autumn and many trips around the university entrance exam. When SFS appeared a lot in the media, we would have preferred to have seen two exams organized in the spring. But when the decision was made, we took new steps because a lot of other things were also going on during the autumn. In September, the government's budget bill was presented. In a Blog Post we summed up all our thoughts on the budget bill
The big highlight was that the allocation for student union contributions increased by 25 million. This is something SFS has been fighting for ever since the union obligation was abolished in 2010 and although we would have preferred to see a larger increase, it was a big win for the entire student movement. It was a long-awaited step forward and a big thank you to the budget negotiating parties for listening to this important issue. Another highlight from the budget was that the allocation for Student Health increased by 25 million. This is very good news. However, more work is needed for the health and well-being of students. Here we have written debate articles and both student health as the importance of prevention work environment work.
During the autumn, the handling of Corona has continued. Among other things, all of you in the SFS member bodies have contributed information about everything from how you have worked to reschedule instead of canceling to how education has been affected at your universities. This laid the foundation for the press conference that Simon Edström spoke at together with the Minister for Higher Education and Research, Matilda Ernkrans. But it was also the basis for the report that SFS released at the end of the year and which was preferred for Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel. Many thanks to all the member corps who have contributed during the year, without you it would not have been possible to carry out this work.
Another highlight for education in Europe came in November. The Rome Communiqué was adopted, which places great emphasis on equal access to education, sustainable development, democracy and equality. A major step forward for higher education in Europe. SFS Vice-Chair Linn Svärd participated in the Swedish delegation when Matilda Ernkrans, Minister for Higher Education and Research, represented Sweden at a ministerial meeting on the Bologna Process.
As we now sum up the year, there are parts we are happy to have gotten through and questions that we will continue to fight with in 2021. But above all, we look back on a year that has proven how strong the student movement is. How all member bodies have worked together to help each other, brainstormed ideas on how best to change, organized safe events and continued to operate even in times when it is difficult. Next year we will be 100 years old, an anniversary that will be different than planned but oh what a celebration. Because the student movement is important and we are needed and the commitment that exists in the movement is stronger than ever.
Thank you so much for all the fighting spirit and commitment that 2020 has shown, now we are getting ready for 2021.
Happy New Year wishes
Linn Sword
Simon Edstrom