EUniWell Student

The goal of the days can be summarized in two parts:
1) To create a publication with information and cases with discussion questions that can be used if you want to discuss issues related to the DECODE theme in higher education
2) That students with an interest in these issues should be included in the work and given the opportunity to network," says Mattias Lundin, who is the project manager together with Charlotte Silander. He goes on to say that the intention of the workshop was that it would lead to a deeper collaboration between teachers/researchers and students, who should also have the opportunity to make new contacts, an opportunity to be involved and influence and change based on their own conditions and experiences.

The purpose of the workshop was to develop teaching material that can be used for conversation and reflection on democracy, diversity and inclusion in higher education. The material is developed together by researchers and students and is based on stories and concrete cases," says Mattias.  Teaching about democracy also needs to be characterized by democratic working methods. This includes creating safe and open learning environments where students can discuss social issues, express different opinions and feel respected.

The DECODE project is about how universities can work with democratic values in practice and how students in higher education can be involved in developing teaching materials about democracy, inclusion and participation. The starting point is that education has an important role in strengthening democratic values and contributing to a more inclusive society. Although universities have a mission to promote democracy, equality and inclusion, there are also hierarchies and power structures that affect everyday life. In a changing political climate, it is important not to take such values for granted," says Mattias. This is especially important at a time when racism, populism, far-right movements, anti-LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual) and anti-feminist rhetoric, as well as religious and political extremism, are gaining more space. Such expressions are often associated with ignorance, lack of empathy and the singled out or marginalisation of certain groups. Future teachers need tools to create classrooms where everyone feels seen and respected, Mattias points out.

The project also takes into account that many students, such as women, racialized students, queer students, students with disabilities and students who are the first in their families to study at university, may face exclusion and discrimination in higher education. Therefore, it is important to develop teaching that is based on trust, inclusion and awareness of power and inequality.

Visit the EUniWell course category to get information about similar workshops or what opportunities there are to participate in different courses and more. 

Project page DECODE

The reason I applied for being a Linnaeus University/ EUniWell representative at ESA25 vas that I saw the open call for European Student Assembly at the organizer's social media account. The reason for applying for this event was the theme of each panel, with mental health being my priority and the fact that my Master's Programme in Leadership and Management has emphasized the importance of being proactive and reflecting over the moral aspects of one's actions, says Maria. 

Maria tells us also that she attended the Europaforum at Linnaeus University during the spring of 2023, sparked an interesting in familiarizing with the policymaking aspects of EU and contributing to its improvement, to the extent it is possible.

Her overall impression of the days in Strasbourg and the ESA25 participation was both overwhelming and culturally enriching starting with the on-line preparatory stages from February until the middle of May. The reason is that the topic of the panel she was admitted to work with, was quite broad and even when they were asked to choose a subtopic, which in her case was the interplay between academic pressure and mental health, her group's policy recommendations had multiple directions while they should also respect a said word limit. However, she appreciated that her group members whose study field was different from hers, were equally dedicated on crafting a policy proposal of good quality.

Moving on to the experience of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, it's difficult to grasp the concept of working intensively for three days in a space that has such an impact on the lives of millions of citizens, says Maria. All those who made ESA 2025 possible are the embodiment of EU values. Starting from Linnaeus University and EUniWell staff and reaching to the coordinators, organisers and other panellists, she felt that institutions and policies can really improve when humans are willing to help each other. Meanwhile, she would like to highlight that despite the duration of the ESA from the morning until the afternoon on a daily basis, they had the opportunity to explore Strasbourg's cultural heritage and even cross the border within few minutes of walking and find out the hidden gems of the German city of Kehl. A summary of my ESA 25 experience is curiosity, collaboration and exploration.

For the future Maria hope that more students are granted this experiential learning opportunity that ESA is in its core and that EUniWell continues with its mission regarding the value of well-being within academia. Since now we are in the dissemination phase of our policy proposal, which was quite fortunately voted and adopted during our ESA sessions in the European Parliament says Maria. She hopes that her group's work is transformed into other formats, such as articles or workshops, so that the debate on academic pressure and policies tackling it at the EU level, opens up for more people.