NUS UK publishes ‘Plan for Action 2019/20’
NUS (National Union of Students) has published its first ever Plan for Action, created by its 13 full-time officers. The plan, which sets out the campaign focus for 2019/20, has been informed by NUS policy passed at NUS conferences in 2018/19, NUS members’ priorities, issues of concern to students, and the current external environment and context.
With individual tailored plans for the nations – Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales – being led by the relevant presidents in those countries, the 10-point plan focuses on three key areas:
- Building a movement to transform education
- Breaking down the barriers to accessing education and taking part in society
- Breaking down the barriers to succeeding in education and society
Each campaign area is led by a member of the full-time officer team, working with fellow NUS officers, students’ union members, students and NUS staff.
The creation of the plan is an important element of NUS’ preparations for reform, which will see the group of seven companies reshape into two separate organisations, one focused on student campaigning and one on student union development. NUS UK will continue to be the voice of students and will seek to engage as many student officers, students, students’ unions and the public in improving education and the world through the collective power of students.
Speaking following the publication of the plan to NUS members, Zamzam Ibrahim, NUS National President said: ‘We’ve had a strong start to this year, with the full-time officer executive team forging ahead in building relationships. We’ve a clear, shared sense of purpose, and I really am fortunate to be working with such a strong group of student leaders.
‘Since taking up our roles at the start of July, we’ve been working hard to pull all our collective thoughts and ideas together, along with the priorities of officers on campuses, and the concerns of students up and down the UK. While our external environment is somewhat turbulent, and continues to be uncertain, we’ve still been able to launch a priority campaign focused on delivering a sustainable, accessible, life-long, funded solution to our broken education system and our biggest ever annual voter registration campaign for young people, that’s already showing results.
‘While our plan contains ambitions beyond our year, it is founded in the reforms that members have told us they want, and the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s students. We’ll be looking to work with our members and students more closely in coming months as we launch other initiatives that support the delivery of our 10-point plan.’
