Arqus students attend the European Student Assembly ESA24 at the European Parliament in Strasbourg

Arqus students are ready to make a significant impact as they participate in the third edition of the European Student Assembly (ESA24), starting today and spanning until 12^th April. With over 250 students hailing from institutions involved in 41 different Alliances across Europe, the ESA24 converges at the European Parliament to deliberate upon 11 pivotal themes and formulate actionable resolutions.

The ESA is a collaborative effort among students from European University Alliances (EUAs), facilitated by a steering committee comprising students and academic and non-academic staff members from various higher education institutions. It provides a platform for students to voice their opinions, draft political recommendations, and advocate them among stakeholders and decision-makers.

A primary goal of the ESA is to amplify student voices, drawing from diverse backgrounds, fields, and levels of study. Through fostering participation within EUAs and strengthening collaboration between them, the ESA aims to enhance student engagement in European politics at local, national, and European levels.

The ESA culminates in a collection of recommendations generated by participants on a range of debating topics. These recommendations are disseminated through advocacy events, engaging stakeholders and decision-makers at various levels of European political life, including municipalities, NGOs, and companies.

This edition’s program also includes activities aimed at promoting student engagement within the European University Alliances. Notable among these is the Village of Alliances, where alliances showcase their initiatives in an open forum, fostering dialogue and collaboration. Additionally, meetings tailored for the EUC-Voices project underscore the importance of student representation in shaping the European higher education landscape. Representing Arqus in these discussions is Irina Samson, co-lead of the Arqus Student Agora of the Alliance.

A total of 7 Arqus students from the Universities of Granada, Graz, Leipzig, Padua and Wrocław will participate in this major event. The enthusiastic participation of these Arqus students in the ESA24 underscores the Alliance’s commitment to fostering student leadership and engagement. Endorsed by the Arqus Student Council and the Arqus Student Agora Board, the Alliance’s involvement highlights its proactive role in shaping the future of European higher education.

The Arqus delegation’s presence at the ESA24 not only exemplifies the Alliance commitment to advancing the European student agenda, but also underscores the Arqus role as a catalyst for positive change within the European higher education landscape.