The National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts presents: summer training! It will take place on September 1st & 2nd in the School of Oriental and African Studies (the first event we’ve held in London since January 2011). Basic accommodation and crash space will be provided, and the event is free. For the facebook event, click here.
In the run up to an autumn of resistance and protest, NCAFC is organising a space for student activists and union officers to come together to share their experiences and skills and discuss the future of the movement. The event will feature plenary discussions, breakout sessions and autonomous Liberation caucuses (full agenda below). Another major feature will be fun and socialising, with an organised social and lots of space and time to meet new people.
Feedback we recieved from last year’s event included:
“I’ve never been to such a large event with such a high level of participation”
“For once, I did not feel alienated by the activist community!”
“Proper time and respect given to liberation campaigns – HUGELY appreciated…”
“Non-sectarian, inclusive and supportive.”
To let us know you’re coming, email [email protected] If you have problems affording transportation, please let us know; in the meantime, attendees are advised to book transport as soon as possible.
Saturday 1st September
10.00 – registration opens
Section 1: Context
11.00 – Welcome to NCAFC: who we are and what we do – Naomi Beecroft (NCAFC and Edinburgh) and Bob Sutton (NCAFC, former Liverpool VP)
11.30 – Education policy context: what the government is doing and the attacks on London Met – with speakers from London Met, Arianna Tassinari (NCAFC International Students) and Daniel Lemberger Cooper (ULU VP)
12.30 – Discussion: what is the role of the student movement in this context? How to respond to the attacks on London Met and international students?
13.30 – Lunch
Section 2: Building the student movement
14.00 – Liberation: one central session with 4 circulating breakout sessions (Run by Liberation campaigns)
15.30 – Women’s caucus
16.15 – Access Break
16.30 – Breakout session 2
Trade unions and how to work with them – Ed Whitby
Public speaking – Sarah Weston, NCAFC NC
Student union and NUS democracy – Michael Chessum, NUS NEC
Organising with and within FE – Roshni Joshi, Wail Qasim and Tali Janner-Klausner
17.45 – Disabled caucus
18.30 – Plenary: The autumn and the national demo, chaired discussion without top-table speakers
20.15 – Close and social
Sunday 2nd September
10.00 – Welcome back
Section 3: Campaign Ideas
10.15 – Breakout session 3
International students and visa restrictions – Arianna Tassinari
Sweatshops and students – People and Planet
11.45 – Breakout session 4
Students as workers – Daniel L Cooper, GMB activist and former SURHUL President
Campus democracy and the public university – Mike Williamson, NUS NEC and former Edinburgh VP
Postgraduate funding and employment rights - Ben Towse and Arianna Tassinari, Postgrad workers’ network
13.15 – LGBTQ caucus
14.30 – Lunch
14.30 – Breakout session 5
Regional breakouts: what next?
15.00 – Black Power Caucus
15.45 – Closing plenary
