The aim of the Southeast European Student Initiatives (SESI) is to empower students to address issues related to systemic change in higher education. SESI supports the involvement of students in the democratization of the educational process and in building issue-based transnational student alliances in Southeast Europe.

For 2009, SESI invites student organizations and groups to submit concept papers (2-3 page project proposal outlines) for the following new student projects in the SEE region. Concept papers may cover the preparation and actual running of the proposed activities, including training resource people among the student communities, preparatory meetings, data gathering and analysis, advocacy campaigns, etc., contracting non-student trainers, travel and accommodation related to the proposed activities on others.

I. The status of student organizations and their participation in university governance in South-East European countries.
SESI invites concept papers for projects, prepared jointly by 2-3 undergraduate student organizations representing different SEE countries, that will study the current practices of student involvement in the governance of SEE Universities, including such issues as the possible politicization of student organizations and the restrictions to student involvement by various administrative, bureaucratic and legal means, lack of student interest in University governance and others. The primary focus of the projects should remain at the level student participation in governing the universities as organizations in all of their multiple functions. The research component is expected to support advocacy campaigns to be launched by the participating student organizations for more active and effective involvement of students and student organizations in University governance.

II. Implementation of the Bologna Process in SEE countries and its impact on student learning and the quality of higher education.

SESI invites concept papers for gross-boarder initiatives by SEE undergraduate and graduate student groups and organizations that will examine the implementation of the Bologna Process at the institutional, national and regional level and explore its potential and limitations for furthering higher education reforms in the SEE region and its universities, particularly in the areas such as student choice, relevance of higher education and its quality and others. We are looking for concept papers which are problem oriented and innovative and carry the potential for a real impact on SEE universities.

III. Student Solidarity for Antidiscrimination and Access to Higher in SEE countries.
SESI invites concept papers for cross-boarder projects that would study the possible practices of exclusion and advocate for the inclusion in higher education of students on the ground of gender, race, ethnicity, disability and others. More than the initiatives by any of the groups interested in advocating for the inclusion of their own representatives, we are looking for initiatives that are driven by the spirit of solidarity among various excluded and underrepresented groups, take a broad look at the possible practices of exclusion, discrimination, humiliation and hatred related to the limitations in certain student groups' access to higher education and advocate for the access and inclusion for two or more groups and two or more SEE countries. The concept papers should include all three elements of SESI program activities - education (awareness building), research and advocacy and aim at making a tangible impact on opening access to SEE universities for the excluded an d underrepresented groups.

Please consult the guidelines for further details.

Deadline: March 10, 2009.

Source: SESI newsletter.