During CANDI’s annual Business End of Year Awards Ceremony the Democratic Education Network (DEN) was one of the partners recognised for its collaboration and commitment to the college and its students.
The Democratic Education Network is a student-focused initiative at the University of Westminster, previously funded by the Quintin Hogg Trust. It empowers students to become more engaged locally and globally, to acquire transferable skills that enhance their employability and raises their awareness of the diverse communities around them.
DEN has been involved in multiple projects, one of which is a collaboration with colleges, including City and Islington College (CIC). DEN students provide support to college students by offering them guidance on writing course applications, giving them the opportunity to contribute to DEN's online magazine, and inviting them to present at the seventh annual International Student Conference.
At this year's conference, a group of CIC students delivered a presentation on their project, which was called Planning and Choosing an Event Management. Katie Bracci, a University of Westminster student who watched the presentation, said: "The CIC students were brave enough to stand up in front of university students to talk about their experiences, hopes, and aspirations for their future careers and education."
Reflecting on the event, a student from CIC Kanan Barrett, said: "I had a fantastic experience. I was truly inspired by the students and their presentations. It was impressive to see how they were able to deliver high-quality presentations with easy-to-read layouts and concise language."
Of the award from CIC, Director of DEN, Dr Farhang Morady, said: "This incredible achievement is a result of outstanding collaboration. It highlights our values of diligence, respect, care, and collaboration and brings us immense joy and inspiration to continue to positively impact our community."
Leer Kennedy, a City and Islington College teacher, said: "We have made tremendous efforts to build a connection between the students at the college, the University and the local community."
The collaboration with local colleges is just one of the DEN’s areas of focus. It has also lent its support and solidarity to the community group Hopetowns, for example, which works with asylum-seeking individuals in London. It has also formed STUDENT4REFUGEES (S4R), which is a student-led organisation aimed at engaging local communities and making a change for refugees.
The DEN also partners with global universities such as Hanoi University in Vietnam, Kasetsart University in Thailand, Kocaeli and Batman Universities in Turkey, and the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. The aim is for students to experience life in different cultures and their global perspectives.
This initiative directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4: Quality Education, 10: Reduced Inequalities and 17: Partnerships for Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about the University of Westminster’s Democratic Education Network.
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