Students are important agents of change all over the world. During the international student conference “The Student Organisation in the Democracy – Democracy in the Student Organisation” which was organised in Oslo, Norway, in September 2008, students from South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Colombia, Europe and Norway discussed the role of students and the importance of democracy in creating real change. This report sums up some of the discussions from the conference, as well as presentations from participants and speakers, within the four key issues of the conference, namely organisational work when freedom of organisation is limited, organisation and democracy, lobbying, and gender equality.

SAIH (the Norwegian Students’ and Academics’ International Assistance Fund) was the main organiser of the conference. SAIH recognises the power young people have to influence their own societies, and also acknowledges that in order to change the world, one must start with oneself. SAIH has a long history within the fi eld of higher education, education for development and student solidarity. From 1961, SAIH has been working under the slogan Education for Liberation, which refl ects the idea that good higher education can enlighten, raise awareness, develop and liberate individuals, groups and communities as well as providing people with the tools for critical and independent thinking

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