ANSO

Association of Nordic LGBTQ Student Organizations

calls for participants:

Beyond Norms

- On Equality in Higher Education

Study session

European Youth Centre, Budapest,

20th – 26th of April 2008

Deadline for applications: 9th of March 2008

ANSO, Association of Nordic Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Student (LGBTQ) Organizations would like to invite you to a study session calledBeyond Norms - On Equality in Higher Education, with the aim of fighting heteronormativity in higher education. It will be held in Budapest20th – 26th of April.

This study session is a part of ANSO’s long term goal, to raise awareness of the consequences of heteronormativity in higher education. This is ANSO’s first activity outside the Nordic Region, but hopefully not the last.

By fighting heteronormativity we believe that we are fighting the very roots of homophobia and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. A heteronormative higher education has quality problems and passes on stereotypes and prejudices. Examples of how it shows are:

· Teacher students will not be equipped to handle homophobic bullying in their future classes

· Problems with scientific credibility; LGBTQ blind studies will reinforce the idea that there are no LGBTQ persons, families or children

· Students and teachers might be discriminated against

· LGBTQ students are made invisible

· Literature might suggest that LGBTQ persons are sick and the teaching staff does not oppose it

Come take part in a ground breaking discussion on equal rights at universities and how you can support them!

Objectives

The objectives of our study session are the following:

1. Introduce the concept of heteronormativity

2. Understanding consequences of heteronormativity in general and in higher education in particular

3. Identifying strategies to counteract heteronormativity, both on a personal level and on a structural level.

4. To understand different structures of student policy making, on local and European level

5. To enable participants to identify problems and develop concrete actions for their contexts.

6. Introduce an intersectional approach to equality work

7. Create new alliances

Target group

The participants should come from either of the following (interconnected) groups:

1) European LGBTQ student activists or LGBTQ activists interested in student issues

2) European Student Union activists, equality officers etc.

When choosing participants we will try to ensure balance between the two groups. No prior experience in working with the concepts of queer and heteronormativity or experience with student politics is required, but everyone should be willing to keep an open mind, learn new things and be able to act as multipliers on a local level. We will try to cater to different level of experiences, but we expect participants to either have some experience of student politics OR work within LGBTQ organizations. Heteronormativity is going to be a new issue for many, from both groups, and we will be exploring the concept in depths.

Participants should be able to work and communicate in English.

Priority will be given to participants who will be able to act as multipliers within their local student union or LGBTQ (student) organization.

Practical Information

Provided that the cheapest means of travel have been used, travel costs will be 100% reimbursed. A 45€ participation fee will be deducted from your travel reimbursement.

The study session takes place in Council of Europe’s European Youth Centre in Budapest.

Application

Please send in your application before the 9th of March to studysession2008@anso.dk. Participants will be selected by the prep team on the 10th of March and you will be notified the following week.

Your prep team,

Ásta Ósk, Pär, Monika, Linda E and Linda V