Jessie Mwape KAPUTO
ZAMBIA

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Dear comrades, fellow students and or colleagues,

It is such an honor to be presenting on the vision we share to establish an International Student Council. Each day lived as an African student interacting with students from different parts of the world it is becoming clear that a united voice is needed not just for the students but for the communities we come from.

Objectives of ISC
As mentioned earlier our goal is to have a unified student voice that speaks and advocates for all students across the globe.which should bring about equality, promote academic excellence, social and economic well being of students.

1. Advocate for a fair pricing of fees for international students. It’s been observed that international students are asked to pay in dollars which is always fluctuating hence poses as the biggest factor why students drop out of schools.
2. Cultural exchange programs. The ISC will ensure that a cul- tural exchange program is formulated amongst member institutions.
3. Solidarity. The ISC will be well informed about welfare of students and stand in solidarity when need arises.
4. Advocate for the girl child. With the many happenings time in memorial to the girl child the ISC will intentionally engage institutions, countries, regions and continents on being delibarate in polices that affect the female students.

Representation and Decision making structure
A structure that will include representation from all student union leaders, associations and movements in a country that will meet and democratically pick two representatives that for the particular country who will join with other leaders in other countries to make a region,from which 3 representatives will be elected to form the continental representatives.

The Decision making will be made under the guidance of the agreed constitution of the ISC.

Who to join the ISC
*All student union and association leaders in all institutions
*Student Movements.
*Organisations that promote student well being
*Organisations that promote polices for women rights.

Key issues to highlight
It is important for ISC to always be abreast with the challenges that students may be facing, which normally are challenges shared across such as:
1. Discrimination in different forms e.g racial and sexual
2. Infrastructure that allows for students with physical disabilities.
3. Funding for financially challenged students
4. The mental health of students
5. Recognition of different religional needs of students in institutions.

Conclusion,
The formation of the ISC is a necessary step in addressing the many needs of a student in today’s world,the ISC is a body that will not only voice out challenges of a student but will also offer tangible solutions to the challenges,It is also important to note that we are members of communities before we are students and as such ,our communities must benefit from the intellect and diverse social exposure that we get from the learning institutions.