Aurora Student Council (ASC) members and students Sören Daehn from Copenhagen Business School and Suvarn Nagan from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam represented Aurora universities’ student voice at the 3^rd edition of the European Student Assembly- ESA 24, hosted by the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Over three days, Sören and Suvarn gathered with 250 students from 59 nationalities, 41 European university alliances and 170 universities. They discussed, debated, collaborated and voted on a collection of over 80 policy recommendations on 11 political topics. The European Student Assembly generally aims to:

• Provide a platform to voice the opinion of students from European universities of different countries, backgrounds, fields and levels of study, all recruited for their engagement and motivation;
• Foster the participation of students, strengthen collaboration between them and increase the impact and visibility of European university alliances;
• Advocate for deliberative processes to reinforce European democracy and to reduce the gap between citizens and decision makers; and
• Encourage students to be involved in European democratic processes, and European politics at local, national and European levels.

Debating Issues at the Heart of Europe

During the ESA 24, 11 panels drafted several recommendations on different political issues. These included the Green Transformation, AI guidelines, public health, Euroscepticism, higher education or cultural heritage. Combined, the panels produced over 80 policy recommendations. Over 90% were then – with a majority vote – adopted by the whole assembly of 250 participants.

Alongside his panel, Sören worked on recommendations regarding reforms and changes to the current EU-Enlargement process. They highlighted that the current accession guidelines have not undergone critical reforms in many years. They further suggested that the EU-Enlargement process should not simply bring in candidate countries quickly. It should do so while protecting EU institutions and its current member states by setting realistic standards.

ESA 24 Panel with Aurora Student Council member and student Sören Daehn of Copenhagen Business School

European Student Assembly 2024

The panel developed eight meaningful and crucial recommendations, which were democratically adopted by the whole assembly. Part of their recommendations included:

• Increased and equalized economic support and investment opportunities;
• Transformation to a gradual accession process and qualified majority voting;
• Support for securing territorial integrity and deterring third-party influence; and
• Support for free media, civil society organizations and against misinformation.

Creating Impact for the Future of Europe

The ESA 24 was a great example of the importance of student involvement in European politics. Specific outcomes of the Assembly, including political recommendations, will be disseminated among relevant stakeholders, policymakers, and educational institutions.

The European Student Assembly continues to be an invaluable experience for Aurora universities students to get to know other engaged and politically interested students from all over Europe. They also learn more on how policy making in the European Union works. Most importantly, the ESA 24 provided a platform to formulate an opinion and raise the voice for European students on the most pressing current political matters.

In June 2024, one month before the Summer 2024 Olympics in Paris, Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) will be hosting students from Aurora universities’ member institutions for its first-ever Aurora Summer School on Emerging Futures: Societal Innovation Meets Futures Studies 

On the heels of its integration into Aurora and the Aurora 2030 European university initiative, UPEC will be introducing its first Aurora Summer School during the summer of 2024. Targeted to Bachelor students, this intensive two-week course aims to train the next generation of leaders intending to make a tangible and sustainable impact on the world.

Aligned with the Aurora Competence Framework, the course provides a world view of global challenges. It further gives students the opportunity to leverage their knowledge and work to respond to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and hence meets one of Aurora’s key objectives in the Aurora 2030 project.

“The future is not a place in some later-than-now timeframe, it is a tool that helps us to change the way we look at the present: knowing how the anticipation process takes place, helps us make use of different futures in the now,” says Felipe Koch, Vice-Dean of AEI International School at UPEC. “It makes us more confortable with the uncertainty and more prone to innovative ideas.”

Embracing Uncertainties in Emerging Futures 

At the heart of this summer school is the very real notion of addressing a VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) environment and its potential consequences on our future. With two focus areas in Futures Literacy and Social Foresight, this course empowers students to both understand possible future scenarios and anticipate eventual changes that can impact societies and communities in the longer term.

The ability to comprehend future possibilities and the social dimensions of change allows students to adopt a forward-looking mindset. It sets the stage for more informed decision making in the present, in order to better adapt to evolving uncertainties in the future.

During the course, students will learn about anticipation mechanisms, strategic foresight and systemic thinking. They will be taught to distinguish between concrete and abstract futures, to identify and analyse emerging trends, opportunities and risks, and to prepare key stakeholders in developing better strategies and action plans.

Transformation through Blended Learning 

This summer school takes place over two weeks, during which students will receive comprehensive instruction and practical experience through the Futures Literacy Lab at the AEI International School at UPEC. They will be exposed to the study of theoretical foundations and facilitation techniques to craft and lead change.

In addition, over 30 hours of autonomous class preparation, lectures, teamwork, online videos and podcasts, aim to challenge students’ perspectives and enable them to shape the future of Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

This Aurora Summer School on Emerging Futures: Societal Innovation Meets Futures Studies goes beyond gaining knowledge; it transforms students by giving them the tools to catalyse real-world change.

Hosted by the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) in Tarragona, Spain, the Aurora Student Conference 2024 brought together students from across Europe for two days of immersive cultural exchange and collaborative workshops.

Open to all Aurora Student Council members and Aurora Student Ambassadors, this conference aimed specifically to promote intercultural understanding and collaboration among its participants. As such, the event featured a diverse array of activities, including cultural learning sessions, language quizzes, and workshops. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in cultural speed dating, traditional dance sessions, and peer-learning discussions. 

This annual student conference is part of the goals set within the Aurora 2030 Work Package 7 on Capacity Building and Community Engagement, to upscale the engagement of the Aurora universities’ student communities by encouraging teamwork and partnership between them. The two-day programme kicked off with a warm welcome by Josep Pallarès, Rector of the URV, and Joan-Miquel Canals, URV’s Commissioner for International Networks. Following the opening session, students were invited to participate in immersive intercultural activities that offered an eye-opening experience and a better understanding of URV’s community and the lively Catalan culture. 

Embedding Aurora Values into the Student Community

Delving deeper into the essence of Aurora, student participants explored its vision, ambitions, and achievements through a comprehensive introduction. This session provided invaluable exposure – particularly for students new to Aurora – on what Aurora represents to its internal and external stakeholders. It gave light to the Aurora vision to match academic excellence to societal relevance, and emphasised how students can play a role in contributing to the Aurora mission and in affecting positive impact. 

World Café: The Impact of Aurora

Cultural session on Catalan culture and language

Throughout the conference, participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions during the World Cafe session, where they brainstormed and shared perspectives on the Aurora values. Topics ranged from Diversity and Inclusivity to International Education, emphasizing the dedication of Aurora members to nurturing a diverse and globally-aware academic community.  

Enhancing Personal Development

Part of the Aurora Student Conference included a workshop entitled “Speak UP!”, hosted by academic Markus Öbrink from Palacky University Olomouc. Aimed at enhancing students’ communication skills, the workshop consisted of practical exercises and guidance that enabled students to learn tools and strategies for effective public speaking.

Student from Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) at the Speak Up! Workshop

Cultural tour of the historical city of Tarragona

During the two days, attendees had the opportunity to explore the historical city of Tarragona and discover its vibrant Catalan culture. Guided tours offered glimpses into the city’s heritage, complementing the conference’s focus on intercultural understanding and collaboration.

The Aurora Student Conference 2024 underscored the importance of cross-cultural dialogue, and fostering connections and understanding in today’s globalised world. The conference left Aurora students inspired to continue building bridges across borders, both in Europe and beyond. 

The student council president holds immense responsibility and comes with high expectations. It evokes images of a resilient student leader, a champion for the unheard, and a key player in the complex realm of university governance. In the Aurora Student Council (ASC), Hanuš Patera exceeds the mere symbolism of the position; he personifies the virtues of unwavering commitment. In this interview, we delve into the goals and aspirations of Hanuš for 2024, the council’s theme of diversity and inclusion, and insights on the student conference.

About Hanuš Patera

Hanuš started his journey as a psychology student at Palacky University Olomouc; he entered Aurora with a mind eager to soak up university life’s opportunities. He recounts: “My path to becoming the student council president was long and enriching. This is my third year in the Aurora Student Council. I first started as a member, the first one from Palacky University. Then, when it was time to elect the new vice president, I thought, “I see so much potential here; maybe I will run for this position.” The next thing you know, I was the vice president. And then, after another academic year came to pass, I decided (after many discussions with the former president Alma Ágústsdóttir) that I would run for the position of the President of the Aurora Student Council. I was honoured to be elected to this position and have enjoyed it ever since.”

For Hanuš, the joy lies in seeing young people connect and interact. He feels privileged to play a part in facilitating these connections. The current team at the Aurora Student Council is a constant source of motivation and inspiration. Regarding shaping higher education, Hanuš appreciates the access his role offers him. He shares: “I am grateful for the access my role provides – I am part of the Board and General Council in Aurora. I am regularly invited to the meetings of Institutional Coordinators, where we discuss strategic decisions regarding student involvement. Overall, I believe that thanks to this platform, I can impact students’ decisions.”

Hanuš currently devotes his efforts to developing a strategy document to guide future ASC members. In doing so, he adds: “In the past, the ASC always started back from ground zero when a new academic year hit. With this document, we aim to guide priorities – outlining completed tasks, feasible goals, ongoing projects to complete, and past initiatives. This will serve as a roadmap for future ASC members, helping them make informed decisions about the council’s direction.”

Diversity and Inclusion and Insights into the Student Conference in Tarragona

In 2024, the student council’s theme is encouraging Diversity and inclusion in Aurora member university campuses. He notes that it is crucial to prioritize diversity and inclusion as essential steps for societal progress. He states: “To move forward as a society, we need to be welcoming to every single member. This applies especially in higher education: to erase barriers, we must make learning accessible to everyone. Hanuš emphasizes how the student council is undertaking a meticulous review to identify three areas within each partner university where the university could improve regarding diversity and inclusion. He says: “We are also trying to develop meaningful policy implementations that could be applied across Aurora. We also organised a workshop focused on inclusion and cross-cultural communication at the Student Conference in Tarragona.”

One of the recent initiatives of the student council was the Student Conference on Diversity and Inclusion held at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. The conference was attended by student council members and participants of this year’s Aurora Student Ambassadors Programme. Unpacking conference details, Hanus shares: “We began with an informative session on diversity and inclusion, covering key terms and recommended practices for fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. Subsequently, we engaged in activities centred on cross-cultural communication to align with the inclusivity theme. These activities included a quiz on diverse customs, a “Running a Business Across Cultures” workshop, a delightful exchange of humorous idioms from participants’ native languages, and various engaging exercises. It was truly an enjoyable and memorable experience!”

Organising the Student Conference was a notable achievement for the ASC. At the conference, ambassadors could connect with their ASC representatives, which helped broaden each other’s horizons. The attendees had a great time together, which, he notes, is a crucial part of the conference’s experience. Other student council initiatives include having finished a draft of the strategy document. Additionally, he shares: “We plan to gather feedback from relevant parties within Aurora. We have started to prepare our plenary session for the spring biannual in Naples, but I won’t reveal our theme yet ;)”

With a keen focus on diversity and inclusion, the council’s initiatives aim to raise awareness and institute meaningful changes that echo throughout the campus. The successful integration of these values into everyday campus life exemplifies a future where all students can thrive, supported by respect and understanding.