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DEVELOPMENT POLICY STRATEGY OF THE NATIONAL UNION OF UNIVERSITY

STUDENTS IN FINLAND FOR YEARS 2011 THROUGH 2014

The 2009 general meeting of The National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) agreed

on drawing up a development policy strategy for SYL. The strategy aims at describing the current

development cooperation of SYL and its agents as well as supervising it. The strategy introduces

the values behind SYL's development cooperation work and the policy and the goals based on them.

Moreover, it states out what kind of development cooperation SYL wants to do. Finally, the strategy

presents the resources of SYL's work, i.e. KENKKU (the SYL Development Cooperation Affairs

Advisory Board) and the central office of SYL as well as the role of student unions and

development cooperation organizations with regard to SYL's development cooperation work. As

this is the first development policy strategy laid out by SYL, it also has a communicative role in

defining the current situation.

The strategy is drawn up for years 2011 through 2014, during which period its realization will be

followed up annually. KENKKU will draw up an assessment of the realization of the strategy and

present it to the SYL Executive Board. The general meeting of year 2013 will decide upon the need

for a new strategy.

1. Vision

In 2015, the development cooperation work of SYL is concrete and effective. Dynamic and

prepared for changes, SYL stays attuned. SYL’s work is appealing, it engages students and

develops their skills. SYL’s development cooperation work supports SYL’s other activities and

forms a part of its international networks. SYL is an excellent and knowledgeable partner.

2. Mission

The objective of SYL’s development cooperation work is to advance equality and human rights,

reduce poverty, and support civic society especially by means of education. Through its work, SYL

improves students’ understanding of development issues and their willingness to take

responsibility globally.

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1. Values

The work is based on the concept of human equality, global responsibility and respect of

difference. SYL's development cooperation must support the following values:

-sustainability and responsibility of the work

-transparency and openness of the work

-mutual learning and interaction with partner organizations

-project ownership and agency in the target area

2. Goals of SYL's development cooperation

SYL carries out development cooperation projects with non-governmental organizations

in developing countries and distributes information in Finland. Cooperation with non-

governmental organizations in developing countries is based on mutual trust and

predictability of the work. Each project must aim at strengthening the civil society of the

target country and reducing poverty. Information distribution must aim in particular at

increasing the students' awareness of development matters. The realization and follow-up

of the goals of the work must be feasible.

The added value of development cooperation for SYL is promoting education and

learning through development cooperation. With regard to SYL's work as a whole, it is

feasible and reasonable and an optimal way of supporting SYL's partner organizations. In

its selection of project partner, SYL maps out opportunities of cooperation with peer

organizations. Potential fields for cooperation include enhancing the availability of high-

quality education, promoting equal opportunities for participation and influence through

education, and promoting student democracy.

Special attention must be paid to the selection of partner organizations and project

planning, and the planning process must be based on equality. The projects will be

planned in cooperation with the partner organization, at the initiative of the organization

and with their starting point in mind. The projects must be carried out in countries that fill

the criteria for Official development cooperation; otherwise, the geographical location of

the projects is not a crucial factor. The project goals of the will be defined in detail in the

project plan.

After each goal, a method or methods for reaching it are laid out below. The goals are

divided into two parts: goals for work in Finland and goals for quality assurance of the

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project work. The goals for projects in developing countries are laid out in detail in each

project plan.

2.1. Goals in Finland

A. Increasing the students' awareness of development matters and their own influence

B. Facilitating the students' participation in development cooperation.

C. The cooperation of student unions and SYL is more intense than previously in the field

of development cooperation.

D. SYL will participate in discussion on development policy as an expert on education

policy

E. SYL's development cooperation is transparent and information distribution is open

Aims for quality assurance of project activity

A. Partnership and cooperation will be built together

B. The work is effective and sustainable

C. The expertise of the partner organization will be utilized in Finland as well

D. The activities of SYL are systematic and coherent

3. Resources

SYL's development cooperation projects will be funded by the Ministry for Foreign

Affairs. Currently, 85 % of project funding comes from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, 7,5

% from voluntary work by KENKKU members, and 7,5 % from the voluntary

development cooperation fees gathered by student unions from their students. The

human resources consist of KENKKU's volunteers and in SYL's central office the

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Development Cooperation Coordinator and the Executive Boards member in charge of

development cooperation matters. The salary of the Development Cooperation

Coordinator is paid out of the projects. Taking into consideration SYL's current resources,

a feasible number for projects is one or two projects in ODA eligible countries and

information distribution in Finland.

3.1. KENKKU

The KENKKU agents are selected based on the recommendations of student unions. The

work is students based and based on voluntarity. The length of the period equals one term

(September – August) and in order to manage it, one must commit actively to the work. In

order to guarantee continuity, the aim is that 25 % of the KENKKU members of each

period retain their posts for several periods.

The responsibilities of KENKKU are related to project management as well as cooperation

with the central office and the student unions, and information distribution. The main

responsibility of KENKKU is acting as advisor in the management of SYL's development

cooperation projects. SYL must provide KENKKU with sufficient background information

on their development cooperation work and the development policy themes related to

SYL and student unions.

A. Project management and expertise

Responsibility: Providing expertise in matters related to SYL's development

cooperation projects

Method: Meetings of KENKKU and its internal country groups and discussions on

the mailing list.

Responsibility: Adding value to the work of SYL's central office by providing

expertise in development policy matters.

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Method: Producing background information on matters connecting development

policy and other work by SYL. Introducing comments on nationwide development

policy to the SYL Executive Board.

B. Student unions

Responsibility: KENKKU members acting as links to student unions and between

them.

Method: Social interaction and relaying best practices between all parties in the

meetings of KENKKU and the development cooperation committees, divisions and

clubs of student unions, and, if necessary, to members of the Representative

Council and the Executive Board as well.

C. Central office of SYL

Responsibility: Looking for mutual modes of action with the central office.

Method: Visiting and having discussions in KENKKU meetings and SYL's

”morning schools” or otherwise arranged meetings.

D. Information distribution

Responsibility: Informing students and other interest groups on development

cooperation projects of SYL and other development matters.

Method: Participation of KENKKU members, in accordance with their possibilities,

in the development cooperation theme weeks and days arranged by student unions

and other events, as well as planning the content of SYL’s the article bank on

development issues and writing on SYL’s development cooperation blog.

Responsibility: Distributing information on development matters within student

unions.

Method: Participation, if possible, in student unions' discussions on development

matters.

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3.2. Central office

A. Work of the Development Cooperation Coordinator

Overseeing project management with KENKKU and general coordination of SYL's

development cooperation work.

B. Work of the Board Member

Upholding development matters in interest group meetings and SYL's political activity.

C. Central office as a whole

Responsibility: Providing expertise in SYL's development cooperation work where

necessary.

Method: KENKKU meetings and other gatherings with KENKKU as well as relaying

information on development policy.

Responsibility: Political activity in current development policy matters related to SYL's

work.

Method: Introducing development policy matters in meetings with SYL's interest groups.

Responsibility: Adding value to SYL's development cooperation work.

Method: Strengthening cooperation in the central office in communications between the

development cooperation sector and other sectors.

4. Cooperation of SYL and student unions

SYL's responsibility: Supporting the cooperation of the development cooperation agents of

student unions

Method: Arranging development cooperation meetings, managing the mailing list,

realizing a nationwide development cooperation theme week project with student unions.

SYL's responsibility: Facilitating the participation of student unions to the fundraising for

SYL's development cooperation.

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Method: In connection with enrolment for the academic year, the student union may give

its students an opportunity of paying a voluntary development cooperation fee whose

proceeds will be used in the realization of SYL's development cooperation projects.

SYL's responsibility: Taking into consideration the differences between the development

cooperation work of those student unions established in the development cooperation

sector and the newer ones.

Method: In development cooperation meetings, program will be arranged for various

needs and, in the production of SYL's development cooperation materials, it will be taken

into consideration that they are useful for various kinds of agents.

Student unions' responsibility: Participation of student union representatives in SYL's

development cooperation work.

Method: Student unions will recruit KENKKU member candidates from among

themselves

5. Inter-organizational collaboration

SYL is a member of the Service Centre for Development Cooperation (Kepa), The Finnish

NGDO Platform to the EU (Kehys) and The Organization for Promoting Fairtrade (RKE).

These organizations support SYL in its work (training, information and communications)

and provide a channel of participation in development policy work.

In the future, it is worthwhile to consider the possibilities of cooperation with other

student agents (for example student unions, universities and the Union of Students in

Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (SAMOK)).

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APPENDIX 1: DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT STATUS OF SYL'S DEVELOPMENT

COOPERATION WORK (YEAR 2010)

SYL has been involved in development cooperation since the 1950's. development

cooperation is a significant part of SYL's international activity, and it can be considered

one mode of general international education. As an organization representing the students

in the society, SYL is able to comment on issues related to the sustainable society in

accordance with the action plan approved by the general meeting. It is important that SYL

is able to relay the message that Finnish students view the world as a whole and are

capable of taking global responsibility.

Currently, SYL is involved in four projects funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and

students. Three of these are located in developing countries (Mongolia, Zambia,

Guatemala) and one is an information distribution project aiming to increase the

awareness of development matters among students in Finland.

The SYL Development Cooperation Affairs Advisory Board (KENKKU) is the advisor to

the SYL Executive Board in development cooperation work. KENKKU is in charge of

matters related to development cooperation projects. Its members consist of

approximately 15 volunteers from student unions. The Chairman of KENKKU is in charge

of development cooperation in the Executive Board, and the Secretary of KENKKU is the

Development Cooperation Coordinator. The coordinator is in charge of project

management, assisted by KENKKU, and introducing development cooperation matters to

the SYL Executive Board.

Each project involves annual two-week project follow-up trips. Otherwise, the projects are

followed up with quarterly reports, annual reports, and maintaining regular contact with

partner organizations. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs follows up the realization of the

projects funded by it, and KENKKU's responsibilities include the preparation of annual

reports with the project partner organizations and the coordinator.

The current project in Guatemala will terminate in 2010, and the projects in Zambia and

Mongolia in 2011. The continuation of the projects and new projects should be planned in

good time before the termination of the current projects. SYL's development cooperation

work is currently funded with the voluntary development cooperation fees paid by the

students and project support from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The membership fees

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paid by student unions will not be used for development cooperation work. The

Development Cooperation Coordinator works part-time, and his or her salary will be paid

out of the budgets for development cooperation projects.

APPENDIX 2: HISTORY OF SYL'S DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

Facilitating international activity was originally also the starting point for the founding of

SYL in 1921. Later, SYL has been involved in establishing various organizations and

committees which have been jointly active in international development matters. Along

the years, some of the organizations have disappeared from the field and later been

replaced with new ones. At the same time, SYL's development cooperation has changed.

The Finnish Committee of International Student Assistance (KYST) was founded after

World War II. The aim was to have an international organ that would be part of

International Student Service's (ISS) work. ISS's work was combined with World Student

Relief (WSR), and in 1952, KYST became the official committee of Finland (FINWUST).

This has been considered the starting point for development cooperation carried out by

Finnish students.

In 1961, SYL was involved in founding International Student Aid (YKA). SYL also

participated in the work of International University Exchange Fund (IUEF) founded by

International Student Conference (ISC).

In addition to international organizational work, SYL's status in the field of development

cooperation was taken under consideration. In 1968, a committee was founded to clarify

SYL's goals and modes of action, and in 1976, the rules were laid out for founding SYL's

own development cooperation fund. A separate Executive Board was founded for it,

initially made up of the same people as the union's Executive Board at any given time. A

couple of years later, external specialists were also taken aboard. In 1989, a group

consisting of agents recommended by student unions was founded. The group was only

active for a few years, and the organ was abolished in 1991. In 1992, at the suggestion of

SYL's development cooperation Fund (KYRH), the general meeting of SYL abolished the

SYL fund, and the Development Cooperation Affairs Advisory Board took the place of

KYRH. KENKKU is still active, and its members consist of students recommended by

student unions.

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From 1961 onwards, a voluntary development cooperation fee for SYL's development

cooperation projects has been charged in connection with the payment of the student

unions' membership fees. As a whole, the development cooperation work has been

characterized by uncertainty of funding and political tension, both in terms of world

politics and the interests of the members. In the extra general assembly of 1969, the SYL

Executive Board suggested that the student unions grant one percent of their budget to

development cooperation. Some student unions later pursued the goal in the spirit of the

0,7 % Campaign. SYL's central office and members have also participated in various street

collections. In 1975, the sustainability of SYL's development cooperation work was

strengthened by the decision of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to start supporting the

development cooperation work of non-governmental organizations.

SYL has had various's development cooperation partners along the decades. The events of

global politics have had their impact on the selection of the targets. The African liberation

movement, the Chile coup, the Vietnam War and ending apartheid in South Africa were

the focal points of the work for a long time.

Initially, SYL's development cooperation was basically aid to catastrophe victims, for

example, assisting the victims of various nature catastrophes or political conflicts. For

example, KYST and SYL were involved in supporting the refugee students during the

Hungarian uprising (1956).

In the 1970's the focus of the work shifted from projects to planned cooperation with the

partner organizations in the South. The international work program took as its starting-

point the needs of the partner organizations. A longer-term focus of the work was also

discernible in the fact that support for fields of education and health care aimed at

problem prevention and systematic support for strengthening of the social structures in

the development cooperation countries.

SYL's development cooperation is still characterized by focus on the students as most of

those involved are volunteers. Nearly every student union has an active development

cooperation club, division or committee that gathers the local agents together.

Along the years, SYL's development cooperation has varied from solidarity work to

project management. Despite all the political turmoil, abolishing poverty and striving

towards a more just and equal world are still the values that the work as a whole is based

on.

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Sources:

Kehityksen tiellä (”On the way towards development”). Published by SYL in 1985

Kehityksen karuselli (”The merry-go-round of development”). Published by SYL in 1990

Näin sen näin (”This is the way I saw it”). Seija Silventoinen 2001