According to my sources (thank you Philippe!) Is February 11, 1989 has been founded the Quebec Federation of University Students.
so 20 years ago today that this student organization was created and I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the activists who worked within the Federation for their commitment and their convictions. The work done during these two decades has helped position over an issue concerning the realities of university and achieve concrete gains for Quebec students.
Obviously, a 20th birthday must be accompanied by a reflection, introspection. Far be it from me to get down to this task since it is no longer my responsibility and that the role of stepmother in the student movement as in politics, that time is poorly spent, volunteering excessive . However, I run here four tracks of discussion which you can respond if you like ...
1) Does the student movement must be united to move forward?
It is utopian to believe in the unity of all factions in every way, whether in the student movement and elsewhere. It is, among others, the multiplicity of perspectives that enrich a democratic society. In this sense, the student leaders, whatever their tendencies, they should focus their work around causes rather than banners? The question being asked, by cons must understand that the strength of a movement is also in the extent of its base and the effectiveness of its organization and that it is much easier to accomplish by bringing together members and activists.
2) FEUQ How can she take a more direct contact with students in order to mobilize them?
Many students 'normal' (understood here that they are young and less young people attending university courses) have FEUQ. Their memory may come from the strike of the 103 million or media coverage that the organization receives periodically. Yet, to educate, inform and mobilize the student base, it is important to create mechanisms for more permanent contact with her. Does FEUQ should create tools for exchange with students ? Would it be feasible to ensure a more dynamic and diverse than crossing the campus at general meetings, referenda or partys of school? Of course, nobody is fooled and the concept of "local sovereignty, so dear to some, should be reviewed if the FEUQ wants to bring its members directly ...
3) What are the new cases, new records that the student movement should wear?
The fight for the freezing of tuition fees accounted for almost all the energy of the student movement during more than half of the existence of the FEUQ. Is that this fight is over? I do not think. The struggle for accessibility (whether in the form of a gel or another) is fundamental to a society that tends to move towards a knowledge economy. That said, several new realities emerging in academia and in the education community in general. Funding and positioning of our universities, the occupation of Québec in respect to training institutions and the problems of excessive competition between them, the dynamics of international students, alternative learning modes that are sometimes not paid-(internships, seminars) etc.. How to take these challenges head on while prioritizing to meet the most basic needs?
4) Culture gain practical is it still appropriate or is it that students aspire to the defense of a wider project to build a more societal discourse?
Whatever the field, people join an organization because it represents their interests, it brings them profits. Like any self-respecting movement, FEUQ has also managed to make progress for Quebec university students. The question that now arises is whether a movement as broad and including the student movement should focus on specific issues and earnings target or if his speech should be more inclusive and linking applications to student social context of Quebec, in a spirit of coherence and solidarity. Is Quebec students would feel concerned if their condition was approached in a broader perspective? Does the fact to question and seek to improve society as a whole could drown historic priorities of the FEUQ?
So many questions that the student movement will arise in the coming years. Many other aspects could also be addressed and I hope they will. We must begin to think the next 20 years!
Till next time.
0 comments:
Post a Comment