Call for Action: International Day of Students
On the 17th of November the International Day of Students is celebrated.
This year is no different.
We hereby invite all students to take action on this day and be a part of the international student movement!
Please find the CALL FOR ACTION here, or go to www.obessu.org/17now and join the Facebook event!
BACKGROUND
During late 1939 the Nazi occupants in the Czechoslovakia (at that time it was called the protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia), in Prague, suppressed a demonstration held by students of the Medical Faculty of the Charles University. The demonstration was held to commemorate the creation of an independent Czechoslovak Republic.
This demonstration resulted in the student Jan Opletal’s death. On the 15th of November, his funeral procession was attended by thousands of fellow students, who turned this event to yet another anti-Nazi demonstration. This resulted in drastic measures being taken by the Nazis. All Czech higher education institutions were closed down; more than 1200 students were taken and sent to concentration camps, and the most hideous crime of all: nine students were executed without trial on the 17th of November. To commemorate those tragic events, the date of 17th November has been chosen to be the International Students’ Day.
To learn more about the history of 17th of November click here.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF STUDENTS 2012
In the past students had to stand up for their rights and a lot of actions were brutal. Now, in 2012, many students have no idea what happened and why the 17th of November is the International Day of Students. Today, many people take student rights for granted without giving the history a thought.
OBESSU is working on promoting school student rights all over Europe, every day.Together with our members we are a part of an on-going student movement. The educational systems, the way young people are listened to and the things that are fought for might vary among different parts of Europe. Still, a lot of the concerns and struggles are the same or at least similar.
School student rights and education should never be taken for granted. In many countries school students are still denied their rights, and in countries where education systems are considered good and equal, we sometimes forget that this has not always been the case. We cannot forget the student activists that fought for education in the past; neither can we forget about all the young people who work today for the same aims.
Therefore, OBESSU invites YOU to take an action on the 17th of November 2012 to raise awareness about the harsh history, to make our voice heard on current issues and to show how school students still fight for their rights. Imagine a day, when school students all over Europe come together in a common act for a brighter future. In OBESSU, we believe the International Day of Students could be this day!
What you decide to do on the 17th of November is completely up to you. In the past the International Day of Students has been recognized in different ways, depending on the needs of the school students in a specific city, region or country.
What are the current issues you face? Are your rights respected?
Get involved! Send us a video before the 17th of November, take action on the actual date and let us know what you did afterwards!
WHAT CAN I DO?
SEND US A SHORT VIDEO!
What is the International Students’ Day for YOU?
Tell it in a video! Record yourself sending your message to Europe for the International Day of Students: your claims, your demands, your rights!
Record it in your language and send it to us together with the written sentence both in the original language and in English. The video should be no longer than 15 seconds. All the received videos will be part of an OBESSU surprise on the 17th of November!
Send your video to 17now@obessu.org before the 7th November 2012
TELL US WHAT YOU DID!
What did YOU do on 17th of November? We are curious to know!
Share your actions and activities with OBESSU by sending us an article explaining what you did on International Day of Students this year. If you can, do not forget to add some cool photos! We will give visibility at European level to your initiative!
An overview of what happened around Europe will be shared with everyone through a special newsletter dedicated solely to the International Day of Students. This way you will get the chance to inspire other European activist and get inspired for next year!
DO NOT FORGET!
Last but not least, don’t forget what has already been done for school student rights!
In July 2006 the General Assembly of OBESSU held in Ohrid, Macedonia, adopted the Declaration of School Student Rights.
OBESSU has an ongoing campaign “Light on the Rights” implemented Europe-wide to raise awareness about the rights of school students. In 2010 we drove 10.000 km through 15 countries with the Lights on the Rights Bus Tour! Watch the “Light on the rights” documentary which gives you an insight into school student activism and the fight for school student rights.
For any question or comment, do not hesitate to contact the Board of OBESSU at17now@obessu.org!
We are looking forward to your actions!
Join the Facebook event!
