OBESSU
Encyclopedia
The Organising Bureau of European School Student Unions (OBESSU) is a European platform for cooperation between the national school student unions active in general secondary and secondary vocational education in Europe. All member organisations are independent, national, representative and democratic school student organisations.
OBESSU is also a stakeholder formally recognized by the Council of Europe
and the European Union
. Furthermore, OBESSU aims to establish partnership and cooperation between all educational stakeholders. OBESSU itself is full member of EUCIS-LLL and the European Youth Forum
(YFJ).
. Since then, OBESSU worked to network European school student unions. In recent years, OBESSU has tried to build up new school student union structures in the Balkans
.
In April 2005, the 30th Anniversaire Celebrations of the foundation of OBESSU were celebrated in Dublin, Ireland and hosted by the Union of Secondary Students
.
Currently OBESSU has 24 members and 3 observer organisations.
. Currently, Viviana Galli has the position of secretary general.
OBESSU is also a stakeholder formally recognized by the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
and the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
. Furthermore, OBESSU aims to establish partnership and cooperation between all educational stakeholders. OBESSU itself is full member of EUCIS-LLL and the European Youth Forum
European Youth Forum
The European Youth Forum is the platform of the national youth councils and international non-governmental youth organisations in Europe...
(YFJ).
History
OBESSU was founded in April 1975 in Dublin, IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Since then, OBESSU worked to network European school student unions. In recent years, OBESSU has tried to build up new school student union structures in the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
.
In April 2005, the 30th Anniversaire Celebrations of the foundation of OBESSU were celebrated in Dublin, Ireland and hosted by the Union of Secondary Students
Union of Secondary Students
The Union of Secondary Students was founded in January 2001 by Shane O'Donnell, Lorcan Fox, Graham Barry, Carly-Anne Gannon and Lyndsey O Connell. With the help of the Union of Students in Ireland, the founders set up a meeting, which took place in University College Dublin on 28 March 2001...
.
Currently OBESSU has 24 members and 3 observer organisations.
Objectives
Obessu works in order to:- Represent the views of the school students in Europe towards the different educational institutions and platforms;
- Uphold and improve the quality and accessibility of education and educational democracy in Europe;
- Improve the conditions in the secondary schools in Europe to promote greater solidarity, cooperation and understanding among the school students;
- Put an end of the discrimination and injustice where they exist within the educational systems in countries in Europe.
Structure
The OBESSU is structured with a General Assembly as the highest decision making body. The general assembly meets annually and decides about statutes, the political platform and the work program. At every second general assembly a new board is elected for a two year term. the board consists of 5 or seven members. Between each general assembly a council of members (COMEM) is held, which is the second highest decision-making body. The board is the highest decision-making body between the general assembly and the COMEMs. The board and the secretary general coordinate the daily work. OBESSU has a European secretariat based in BrusselsBrussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
. Currently, Viviana Galli has the position of secretary general.