DECISION TIME 2010: YOUR General Election

As we all know from the feverish media coverage, the General Election will be held on 6 May which is only a few weeks away. And this is a great opportunity for students' voices to be heard on a plethora of issues that matter to us. And we certainly have a lot at stake here and should make it a point to vote especially this year. As such it is imperative that you all ensure that you are registered as a matter of urgency and proceed to cast anti-racist and anti-fascist vote.

We've recently seen the emergence of fascist and racist entities that have found their way into British politics spreading hate and dividing our society. And this vile attack on anyone ''not ethnically British'' has taken a rather sour and sickening turn particularly against Muslims.

Griffin the BNP leader is quoted saying "Back up the Slogan 'Defend Rights for Whites with well-directed boots and fists. When the crunch comes, power is the product of force and will, not of rational debate'". Indeed, there have been violent Islamophobic attacks by the BNP and the EDL (English Defence League) on Muslims and mosques around the country. And only just a couple of weeks ago, the EDL assembled in Dudley to oppose the buildng of a mosque culminating on violent attcaks on a mosque in Dudley right here in Birmingham!!

In addition, FOSIS (The Federation of Student Islamic Societies) in the UK and Eire also raised serious concerns following the Islamophobic abuse suffered by Abida Malik and her husband as they travelled by train between Leicester and Nottingham earlier this month. And this rise in racist hostilities has a significant adverse and violent impact on students and young people in the community. And these fascits attacks are not just against Muslims but on us all. On all ethnicities!

Furthermore, by voting in the General Election students can have a say on issues such as tuition FEES. A significantly high turnout of students on polling day will underline the importance of the student-vote and give the NUS greater leverage when it come sto negotiations with the government on issues such as the proposed higher tuition fees. And this is a matter of grave concern for thousands from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds whose opportunities and chances for a university education would be adversely affected.

Have a sneaky peek at www.voteforstudents.co.uk/ for information of issues affecting students and where your local candidates stand on them.

You can also get your voice heard on matters relating to climate change, recycling and many more of interest to you.

Your vote counts! Abstaining altogether gives fascists a better chance to win seats as seen in the North East at the recent European Elections. So let's all not merely say 'Never Again!' But back this up with some real acton by ensuring you are registered and casting an anti-racist and anti-fascist vote come polling day on the 6th May 2010.

Remember ***If you don't register, you can't vote*** It's quick and painless. Check out http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/ for details.

GUILD OFFICER ELECTIONS: Nominations close 22 February!!!!

The Guild Officer team leads the Guild of students and works to represent and support students within the university of Birmingham. It consists of 7 full-time and 10 part-time positions for election which covers a wide range of areas and remits. This is a fantastic opportunity to directly improve the lives of Birmingham students while garnering invaluable skills and experience.

If you are interested in taking over the reigns from me or running for any other positions (Sabbatical and Non-Sabb) or have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch. Remember nominations close soon on 22 February, 2010! For more info check www.guildofstudents.com
Good luck!!!

1) BME Students' Forum & 'Cultural Exchange Council': 3 February, 2010

On 3 February, BEMA (Birmingham Ethnic Minority Associaton) held a session to consult students and discuss the various issues concerning BME students whilst at university. We intended for the event to present a forum in and through which students would vice their concerns and raise issues they felt relevant to their university experience. This was particularly in light of recently published university and national reports showing a significantly lower level of degree attainment of Black and Minority Ethnic students compared to their white counterparts coupled with a dramatically higher drop-out rate after just one-year at university, with the same results across all of Higher Education.

The discussion was greatly enriched by the university's Equality and Diversity Adviser who gave vital insight into the data released and signalled the university's much welcomed intent and commitment to get to the bottom of the matter.
The meeting was an opportunity to listen to students in order to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying contributory factors to the reports and enable these to be better addressed.

In addition, employment and employability have naturally always been an important concern for all students. However, this remains a particular challenge for BME students following reports on graduate employment uptake that again do not paint the rosiest of pictures. It was therefore a great honour having a guest speaker from the university's Careers & Employability Centre who encouraged students to develop the key skills that employers are increasingly in search of and build useful networks alongside their academic qualifications, particularly in the current troubled economic climate and difficult job-market. She also encouraged students to take advantage of the free resources already available at the university such as the Personal Skills Award, Mock Interviews, Assessment centres and c.v clinics, Careers advice and workexperience and many more useful services.

The event was also an opportunity to challenge student apathy and encourage students to pursue a more active involvement in a varied student life, develop a diverse skills portfolio and engage with the Guild and the democratic processes- a point beautifully emphasised by our guest speaker Jennifer Larbie the former Guild President and first ever EMSO.

The event was one of the many steps by BEMA towards the creation of a common 'cultural excahange council' made up of committee members of various cultural and faith student groups to meet regularly to network, share ideas and raise the concerns of members, thereby facilitaiing a more effective way of getting matters addressed.

****STUDENT FOCUS GROUPS: From 24 February

As a follow up to the event and interest from some students we will be holding focus groups with the University's Equality & Diversity Adviser to give students another chance to discuss various issues further. So do you feel that there things that the university still needs to address? And do you want to get your voice heard and contribute to the enhancement of other students' university experience? To register your interest and for any queries email me a.ssesanga@guild.bham.ac.uk

***INTER-FAITH/CULTURAL SPORTS & League

Following great interest by the societies involved in the Inter-Faith week in November 2009,we are putting together regular sports sessions eg. badminton and a football league/tournament in which various faith and cultural student groups can engage in fun-filled sport and network. There will be provision of women-only sports sessions too. So if you or your society would like to get involved, have any questions or suggestions, get in touch and let's make it happen!!

3 February, 2010: Forum on Issues Affecting BME Students

On the 3 February, BEMA (University of Birmingham Ethnic Minority Association) will be holding a forum to discuss the various issues affecting BME Students at the university.

This will also cover matters regarding the importance of getting actively involved in the Guild and the democratic processes. It will seek to demystify the Guild and common misconceptions held by most students and hopefully address the general pattern of apathy towards the Guild and the historic underrepresentation of black and minority ethnic students.

We will also be listening from students on the challenges of they face in their university experience especailly in light of recent analysis of data and reports that (and this is the case across all of HE) that certain BME students do less well in terms of degree attainment than their white counterparts and , incidentally, are less likely to stay on after their first year. The University's Equality and Diversity Adviser will be in attendance. And this should present us with valuable insights and ways in which the university can address these issues.

Students can to email me regarding any issues and concerns at a.ssesanga@guild.bham.ac.uk

Holocaust Memorial Day: 27 January, 2010

27th January 2010 is Holocaust Memorial Day and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is challenging everyone across the UK to become part of a Legacy of Hope (this year’s theme) and offer an opportunity to listen to the voices from the persecution, and to make the lessons of hope for a safer, inclusive society where the differences between us are respected a reality today and in the future.

Our responsibility is to remember those who were persecuted and murdered, because their lives were wasted. and the challenge is to make the experience and words of the victims and survivors of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides such as those in Rwanda and Darfur a meaningful part of our future.

And as students, we ought to ask ourselves what we should be doing today to build a safer, stronger society so that the risk of the building blocks of genocide ever being laid is removed.

On Tuesday 26 January, 2010 the Guild will hosting a holocaust survivor and having a memorial in the Guild and it is a great oppurtunity to get involved, to listen, reflect and look inwards into ourselves; identify the agency of our existence and get inspired by the great spirit of resilience in the face of hatred and great suffering that still plagues many lives around the world today!

Protest Against the EDL in Stoke: Birmingham Mobilisation

The racist and violent English Defence League (EDL) are showing their ugly face once again. This time they're marching and protesting against Islam in the BNP's "jewel in the crown", Stoke on Trent, and this time the Nazi BNP, along with Nick Griffin, will be joining them tomorrow 23 Jan, 2010.

The EDL is a bunch of football hooligans who bring violence to our streets spreading hate and fear. Many of their supporters are also involved in the BNP. They seek to divide our communities rather than strengthen our society. United Against fascism, along with local anti fascist groups in Stoke on Trent and at Staffordshire Uni, have called a demonstration of peace and unity against these fascist thugs and they need our support.

****A coach has been organised to go to the demo from Birmingham. To book a place on the coach call 07910 767043 or email birmingham@wmuaf.org.uk.

BEMA ELECTIONS

The University of Birmingham Ethnic Minorities Association (BEMA) had its election on Friday 13th November and I can happily confirm that the following students were successful and will serve you on the BEMA Committee 2009-2010.

CHAIR Claudenia Williams

VICE CHAIR Senyo Aidam Weekes

TREASURER Anthony Opoku

GUILD COUNCILLORS (Reps)
Aishat Hassan-Oladele
Kayode Sulola

CAMPAIGNS OFFICER Rachel Twumasi

EVENTS OFFICERS
Mehret Efrem
Clare Chiramba

COMITTEE SUPPORT OFFICERS
Samir Sameja
Muchengeti Kehle
Tamanna Kabir
Charles Rotimi George

WEB OFFICER Tomiwa Oyedabajo

The new Committee will be in touch with you shortly and let you know what they intend to do this year and more importantly, to get to know you and investigate the issues that interest you and how they can help get these addressed.

****Why not pop down to their stall by the Spar in the Guild on Thursday 19th November 1-3pm and say hi?

INTER-FAITH WEEK

I've been also working on the Inter-Faith Week and we began festivities at our university a wee bit early on the 11th November with the Campus FaithHub-UK Tour 2009 involving the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, the Coexistence Trust and the Three Faiths Forum. So far, things have been going really well with various faith & cultural societies running stalls and all sorts of events all over the university. Join the Faith and Culture @ Guild of students facebook group for more details.
There will also be a footie tournament TODAY 17th Nov at 4-6pm at the Bournbrook pitches with about 10 different faith& cultural student groups and societies taking part. So why not grab those pom poms and come down for some super fun!!!

SHARING SANCTUARY

This is a relatively new initiative that am involved in and our vision is to present an opportunity for socializing and addressing the danger of isolation for students particularly internationals and those coming from conflict zones. It is steadily growing and students are more than welcome to pop by EVERY Tuesday 7pm-9pm in the Rosa Parks room in the Guild to chat and socialize around a billiard table, play table tennis and other games while enjoyin a warm cup of tea or coffee. Pure bliss!!! And am yet to properly lose a table tennis game, so if you think you could change that, come down then and have a go!