Julia Zammit Candidate for KSU Social Policy Commissioner 2020/2021
Introduction
My name is Julia Zammit and I’m a third year BA (Hons.) Social Policy student. Over the past two years I have been engaged in student activism and have had the opportunity of occupying the roles of Social Policy Officer, Secretary General and President of Studenti
Ħarsien
ċ
ĦS).
So jali (S
Throughout this period, I contributed towards propelling a rather
small
organisation
into
a
somewhat
stakeholder when it comes to student policy.
prominent
My experience as a Social Policy student has helped shape my perspectives on many of the salient social issues that are evident within the larger community but also within the microcosm of the University itself. For example, this year,
ÄŚS
under my guidance, S
worked on a Domestic Violence
Campaign with one of its main aims being to ensure that students at University engage in conversation on how to address the topic of domestic violence, which is largely considered a taboo in our society.
As an ardent believer in the power of good communication amongst students and student organisations, and through my participation in KPS meetings, I have decided to take student representation to the next level by contesting this election. This document contains proposals for the Social Policy
Commission
of
KSU
based
on
three
main
pillars,
these being sustainability, wellbeing and activism. All of these are possible with a strong and structured KPS that works for students with students.
The proposed framework, which is to be enforced by the KPS office, can only thrive through collaboration and so the input of student organisations on behalf of their students is crucial for the success of our University experience.
*Being that one of the main pillars of this manifest is that of wellbeing, this document has been made autism friendly.
Sustainability Environment and sustainability have been at the forefront of KSU and student organisations’ agendas for the past few years, which have been characterized by an increase in awareness, implementation of policies and activities that prioritize the fields. Our responsibility towards sustainability extends beyond our life as students on campus to include both our national and international obligations on this front. In order to develop a more sustainable campus, the Social Policy Commission will:
#1
Champion the introduction of the Beverage Container Refund Scheme. The funds collected through this scheme will be invested in student organisations and incentivise the organisations and students alike to recycle plastic, metal and glass;
#2
Work hand in hand with the University of Malta and the necessary stakeholders to acknowledge the already-existing rooftop gardens, and lobby for the introduction of additional easily accessible rooftop gardens. These will serve as an alternative place for student organisations to meet, host events and unwind in the stressful environment that can be University.
Wellbeing Health is a key aspect in our daily life, and in order to maintain a sane and active lifestyle, we should recognise the
importance
of
physical,
psychological
and
sexual
health. In light of this, as student organisations, we should all
pool
our
resources
for
one
collective
aim,
that
of
promoting student wellbeing. In order to do so the Social Policy Commission will work on the following:
#3
A University-wide campaign that will raise awareness on drug use and the situations that may lead to drug abuse, whilst generating a deeper understanding of the implications and effects that drug abuse may have on physical, psychological and sexual health;
#4
The launching of a cross collaborative campaign with sports and wellbeing organisations on campus that will include a tool kit on how to be physically active, maintain positive mental health and nutritional advice;
Wellbeing #5
A student centric policy that will promote the importance of sexual health in our everyday life, whilst including the accessible provision of contraceptive, sanitary products and other items, that as-of-yet are not easily accessible on campus;
#6
The lobbying of a more inclusive University through the addition of easily accessible gender-neutral bathrooms and reframing the discourse and language surrounding gender-issues, which is to be used in policy documents issued by the Social Policy office within KSU.
Activism Activism on campus will continue to be encouraged and promoted as a means of gaining a more enhanced student experience
and
as
a
vehicle
for
change;
whilst
also
providing numerous opportunities, fond memories, life-long friendships and the chance to cultivate skills which will be of
future
benefit.
In
order
to
encourage
activism
on
campus, the Social Policy Commission shall work on the following:
#7
Encourage and facilitate a space for there to be more open discussions on campus, covering a range of topics that affect students and their University lifestyle as-a-whole. These discussions will serve to stimulate conversation between student organisations, students, academia and experts in the field;
#8
The launching of a University-wide collaborative campaign aimed at identifying the obstacles faced by students wanting to participate in activism. This campaign will seek to gain insight into the perspectives (and motives) of those students who do not associate with any organisation, in an effort to bridge the gap between students and their respective organisations;
Activism #9
Engage in a series of discussions in order to endow member organisations with the right and necessary tools to undergo compliance with the Malta Voluntary Sector,
Senate
and
other
relevant
authorities.
This
whilst organising a series of workshops that will equip student activists with the necessary skills to apply, maintain and comply with various funding streams.
Social Policy Social policy forms the backbone of national discussions and initiatives pertaining to social welfare. Thus, it is the aim of the policy office to engage in timely and relevant discussions which reflect the national discourse. KPS’s main objective must be to represent organisations, on behalf of their
students;
numerous
and
topics
to
provide
prevalent
various
both
on
perspectives
campus
and
on also
nationally. With this, the Social Policy Commission will work on the following:
#10
Promoting the use of ‘Table of Motions’ during KPS meetings and doing its utmost to gather feedback from organisations regarding the topics to be discussed during KPS. This will create a more structured but efficient system of communication between organisations and the KPS office;
#11
The full effect of COVID - 19 is still to be quantified. Therefore, the creation of a resource hub where all student organisations & students alike conducting research on this topic, can discuss, share resources and findings;
Social Policy #12 The continuation of previous KSU policies and projects is important for the synergetic approach towards a full student experience. In this regard, campaigns on integration, accessibility and autism*, together with ADHD** are to be followed up and revisited to assess whether the desired impacts were achieved and provide recommendations for the future.
*Connect & Include: Initiatives & Events To Raise Awareness On Integration & Accessibility & In Particular Autism At The University Of Malta **ADHD Awareness Campaign
Any feedback on this manifest is well appreciated julia.t.zammit.17@um.edu.mt