Strategic Priorities

Current Priorities

The Global Student Forum is committed to fiercely advocating for democratic values, human rights, and global solidarity. We will launch campaigns aimed at mobilising students and partner with student-led organisations and international bodies to amplify our advocacy efforts. Our goal is to strengthen and support student movements that champion democratic governance and human rights, fostering a united front against oppression and injustice.

We will organise international forums and solidarity events that bring students together to discuss and advocate for democratic principles and human rights, building a global network of informed and engaged youth leaders. To ensure accountability and transparency, we will establish student-led working groups dedicated to monitoring and reporting human rights violations and breaches of democracy. By uniting students in the fight for democracy and human rights, we aim to build a powerful, global movement that stands in solidarity with all those who struggle for freedom and justice, ensuring that student perspectives are at the forefront of these essential battles.

In our pursuit of environmental justice, we will campaign for stronger environmental protection laws, emphasising the role of youth in environmental stewardship. Collaborating with policymakers, we will advocate for the enforcement of existing regulations, focusing on their impact on young people. 

Our commitment to climate education involves advocating for the integration of climate change topics into existing curricula, developing standalone courses, and creating climate-focused degree programs. We will advocate for professional development for teachers to help them incorporate climate education into their teaching practices. By promoting climate-focused extracurricular activities, student-led initiatives, and community outreach, we will encourage student participation in climate research and activism. To enhance accessibility, we will develop digital resources. Additionally, we will advocate for climate education policies and support initiatives that integrate climate education into national and international standards.

The Global Student Forum is committed to advocating for equitable access to quality education for all people, recognising it as a fundamental human right essential for sustainable development. We emphasise the need for robust, sustainable financing, advocating for a global financial system that prioritises education funding and leveraging both public and private contributions to uphold equity and social justice.

We support the efforts of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Education Cannot Wait (ECW) in mobilising resources and providing critical education support, especially in low-income and crisis-affected regions. Our goal is to ensure that student voices are included in education planning and implementation, securing effective education support during emergencies and promoting safe learning environments.

Tax justice plays a crucial role in financing education sustainably. We advocate for fair taxation policies and international cooperation to combat tax evasion, ensuring that adequate domestic resources are allocated to education, particularly for marginalised communities.

Achieving Education for All requires collaboration across governments, international organisations, civil society, and the private sector. We will advocate for policy reforms that prioritise education funding and address financial barriers, promote free and quality education, support displaced populations, secure scholarships for underprivileged students, and ensure inclusive education for students with disabilities and special needs, while also promoting gender parity.

The Global Student Forum is committed to promoting equality and inclusion on a global scale. We will advocate for policies that ensure gender equality and protect the rights of marginalised and vulnerable student groups, including those from different cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds, as well as LGBTQ+ communities and students with disabilities. Our efforts will focus on working with partners to implement comprehensive diversity and inclusion initiatives that foster a safe and inclusive environment for all students.

We will launch awareness campaigns to combat discrimination, challenge stereotypes, and promote the values of equality and respect. By actively opposing anti-rights movements that seek to undermine these principles, we aim to protect and advance the rights of all students. Additionally, we will empower student leadership to be accountable and inclusive, promoting equity within student organisations and governance structures. By fostering a culture of inclusion and respect, we strive to build a global student community where every individual feels valued and has the opportunity to thrive.

The Global Student Forum recognises the critical importance of digital democracy, access to data, and the protection of a free internet. In an age where technology plays a pivotal role in shaping societies, we are committed to safeguarding digital rights against the overreach of bad governments and multinational corporations. We will advocate for policies that ensure open and secure access to the internet, protect privacy, and promote transparency. Recognising the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence, we will push for ethical AI practices that prioritise transparency, fairness, and accountability. Ensuring that AI serves the public interest and does not perpetuate inequality is crucial.

Furthermore, we will work to address the digital divide, particularly in the Global South, where unequal access to technology and information hinders educational and economic opportunities. By promoting equitable access to digital tools and resources, we aim to empower students and communities, ensuring that everyone can participate fully in the digital world. This includes advocating for inclusive technological development and investing in digital infrastructure to bridge gaps in access and opportunity.

The Global Student Forum is dedicated to empowering student organisations and building an international student movement through targeted capacity-building initiatives. We will develop training programs to enhance leadership, project management, and advocacy skills among student leaders and activists, ensuring they are equipped to lead effectively.

To support these efforts, we will create accessible resources, such as toolkits and manuals, and develop online platforms to reach a wider audience. These platforms will facilitate knowledge exchange, enabling students to learn from each other’s experiences and best practices.

Collaboration with member organisations is key to our strategy. By fostering strong partnerships, we aim to drive policy advocacy and undertake shared projects that amplify our impact. We will facilitate networks and coalitions, encouraging student organisations to connect, share ideas, and work together on common challenges.

The Global Student Forum is committed to enhancing student engagement in United Nations processes, recognising the crucial role of students in shaping the future. We will actively participate in UN initiatives, including the UN Youth Office and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that student voices are meaningfully included in policy discussions and decision-making. 

As the SDGs enter their final period, we will advocate for the inclusion of student perspectives, especially on issues like quality education, decent work, climate action, human rights and reduced inequalities. We aim to strengthen the Major Groups and Other Stakeholders (MGOS) Coordination Mechanism and work closely with the Education and Academia Stakeholder Group to ensure that student and civil society interests are represented. By building alliances, supporting capacity-building, and promoting genuine youth participation, we strive to create a more fair, inclusive and effective UN system that values the contributions of young people to sustainable development and global peace.