National Student Representatives Gather for Conf.

3 July 2002

National Student Representatives Gather for Conference

Members of the Aotearoa Tertiary Students' Association (ATSA) will gather in Palmerston North this weekend to work through issues facing students over the coming twelve months.

"This conference is of great importance to students everywhere," said ATSA President Julie Pettett. "It will provide training and information that is essential in enabling student representatives to provide support and a strong voice for students at a local and national level."

A major focus of the conference will be the upcoming election and the different tertiary education policies of political parties. "Many of the students involved in this conference will not be affected by policy changes brought in by a new government, as this is their last year of study. However, these students will be there on behalf of their younger brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and their own children," said Pettett. "They want to ensure that all New Zealanders have the opportunity to get a tertiary education and fully participate in our society."

Some of the issues that will be addressed at the conference include:
. Political party policies for tertiary education
. Women's education and welfare issues
. Advocacy and mediation
. Student hardship
. Maori student issues
. Supporting students with disabilities

The conference opens at noon on Thursday with a powhiri at UCOL and runs through until Sunday afternoon.

ENDS

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