Middlesex Students say Yes to Europe
Over the past few years, we have written plenty of blogs, speeches and essays, but never have we written about something which is as critical to our generation, as the historic choice we are going to face on Thursday, June 23rd — whether to remain part of the European Union or to leave. This is one of the most crucial democratic opportunities for us, as young people, to have a say on our future, and the future of our continent as a whole.
The EU supports the British education sector and invests a billion pounds per year into higher education funding and research. There are students in Middlesex and across the country who benefit directly from the courses and resources that the union has to offer. EU funding currently provides an additional 15% on top of our government’s own science and research budget. In addition, being in the EU means support for apprenticeships and further education. Between 2007 and 2013, £2.5 billion of European social fund money was invested in training and apprenticeships in England, educating and employing over half a million young people.
Over 200,000 students have studied or worked abroad under the Erasmus education programme, since its establishment in 1987. The Erasmus programme allows Middlesex students to spend a term or a year in Venice at no extra expense. In 2013–14, more than 15,000 British students took advantage of this offer — the highest number by far.
The opportunities created for us being part of the European Union are not just academic, but also economic. Middlesex graduates expect decent, creative and well-paid jobs, and that is exactly what our membership of the European Union helps to provide. With Britain continuing to be a leading member of the world’s largest tariff-free trade zone, with the free movement of goods, services, and capital, all means more jobs for young people.
But this isn’t just about money. There is perhaps another reason which makes the personal case for remaining part of a collective of 350 million people in Europe. The world is becoming a smaller place, especially for students whose lives are increasingly lived online and global in nature. We make friends in every corner of the world and we campaign for global causes, whether tackling climate change, fighting poverty or giving sanctuary to refugees. You don’t win those fights and get what’s best for the collective by walking away. You don’t build a better world unless you engage with the world, build allies, deliver change, bring peace.
We as the current and newly elected student officers of your students union say that remaining in Europe is the right choice for Middlesex students, for both our welfare and wellbeing.
Decisions are made by those who show up. The time has come for Middlesex students to get involved, make your voices heard, and say loud and clear: we want Britain to lead in Europe, not leave.
Signed by:
Aman Siddiqi — MDXSU President (14–16)
Sayed Alkadiri — MDXSU President (13–14) & Vice President Business & Law (15–16)
Andre Thompson — MDXSU Vice President Art & Design, Media & Performing Arts (15–16)
Orla Hillary — MDXSU Vice President Health & Education, Science & Technology
Sulaiman LKaderi — MDXSU President-Elect
Ekaterina Dragomirova— MDXSU Vice President-Elect Business & Law
Joe Cox — MDXSU Vice President-Elect Art & Design, Media & Performing Arts
