Forge press sat down with Nada Elbastawisi to discuss their plans for the Liberation and Activities officer role. We first asked why they think the Liberation and Activities role is important for the SU.
They said: “A diverse take on things multicultural, politics and sociology major, knowledge and experience to unite students.”
When asked about their manifesto, they stated: “I want to work with students to give them platforms to be involved with one another, community based, fun and liberating, rejecting forced labels, and providing an inclusive space where students can be themselves.”
They also want to ensure a withdraw from arms deal involving the University, setting up multi society events, and making fundraisers to raise awareness about pressing issues.”
As part of their manifesto, Nada also wants to start a ‘Mental health matters’ campaign, to provide better and more accessible mental health services and support to students. They stated: “I know they (students) need the help they aren’t getting. I sure did.”
Another one of their initiatives is their ‘ABS campaign’ (Anti-Blood Shed) through raising awareness and calling upon the University, SU and Government to defund arms deals and violence.
As well as their ‘DD campaign’ (decolonise diversity), by reframing student differences and rejecting forced labels. “Letting differences unite us.”
They want to create activities where Society leaders make events facilitating integration between students leading up to multi society events encouraging student unity and inviting students.
Nada also wants to put life back into liberation activities through, bake sales, fundraisers, clothing drives to highlight human right issues through community action and activity.
Another initiative they want to start is ‘ARTdentify with your peers’, breaking down conceptions of identity which divide students through artistic projects such as student films, group murals and cohort dances.
We asked why Nada would be good for the role, they said: “being around lots of different communities, with lots of different ideas, and having worked in the SU, helping people advance with their passions has led me to going for this role.”
And that: “I am an international neurodivergent student, with little to no representation of people like me, I want more representation of people like me.”
