The University of Westminster’s Democratic Education Network (DEN) held its Sixth Annual International Student Conference, titled Sustainable Development In A Diverse And Unequal World: Actions Speak Louder than Words? on 12 May in hybrid format.
The conference aims to encourage students worldwide to collaborate, learn from each other, share ideas, and provide suggestions in connection to global themes and issues. DEN brought together over 80 university students from the UK, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Peru, Thailand and Norway, with students also joining from Capital City College in London, a Further Education institution.
The topics covered by student presenters included international and sustainable development, economic growth since COVID-19, security, energy and power transition, international law, geopolitics, contemporary British politics, state violence, and identity. The event ended with students reading poems, joining a quiz, playing music, and networking.
The conference proceedings are planned to be published in the new DEN's book next academic year.
The event was supported by the University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (EDI) and was linked to Challenging Racisms in Higher Education and Beyond conference that was held on 11 May 2023.
Talking about the conference Dr Farhang Morady, Principal Lecturer in International Development and the Director of DEN at Westminster, said: “Like all projects by DEN, the conference is a great opportunity for students to collaborate as a team, engaging with local communities and global partners. As a result, a diverse group of students, regardless of their geographical backgrounds, can connect, believe, and support each other developing their ideas in a safe democratic environment. The experience and memory will stay with them for a long time, if not forever.”
Wale Awoyinka, a Westminster student from the International Relations and Development BA course, said: “The supportive and inclusive environment created by the University of Westminster made me feel at ease, allowing me to confidently articulate my ideas and engage in meaningful conversations about my research.”
Salima Abdallah, Lecturer in Business at the Capital City College Group, said: “I was blown away by the day... to witness students passionately outlining complex political, socioeconomic, and environmental topics...The college students truly get an experience they will forever remember and will impact their futures.”
DEN was established to encourage dialogue and the sharing of knowledge between students, international universities and diasporic communities in London. The Network provides pathways for local and global participation, experience in field research, workshops, short courses, and conferences through a range of funded and student-led projects. DEN has connections with international universities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), enabling students to learn in a global environment and to share knowledge with practitioners.
Read Westminster students’ reflections of the conference in DEN’s online blog.
