ISFiT 2011 - final summary

The
ISFiT
Way

TRONDHEIM 11-20 FEBRUARY 2011

CONTENT
3 Leader
4 The Opening Ceremony
5 Theme Document
6 Workshops
6 WS 1 POLITICS
7 WS 2 THEATER
8 WS 3 EDUCATION
9 WS 4 WATER
10 WS 5 MENTAL HEALTH
11 WS 6 LITERATURE
12 WS 7 CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT
13 WS 8 ECONOMY
14 WS 9 FOOD
15 WS 10 SEX
16 WS 11 GLOBAL STREET ART
17 WS 12 FUTURE
18 WS 13 GENES
19 WS 14 WOMEN AND CHILDREN
20 WS 15 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
21 WS 16 SPORTS
22 WS 17 DEVELOPMENT AND AID
23 Student Peace Prize - A CONTRIBUTION TO PEACE
24 Walk of Peace
26 Student Peace Prize
26 Conference
27 Ceremony
28 Dialogue
30 Plenary Sessions
30 The Opening Ceremony
31 Susan Abulhawa
32 Globalize this
33 Maternal Health
34 Industrial Epidemics
35 Health and Education
36 Going Mental
37 HIV/aids
38 eHealth
39 Climate
40 Concert
42 Art
42 Art
43 Art
44 Preforming Arts
46 Event
46 A Crazy Circus
47 Project Connect
48 The Closing Ceremony
49 Thank You

Publisher: ISFiT 2011
Print: Skipnes AS
Editor in Chief: Sanna Drogset Børstad
Proof-reading: Katrine Hansen, Kaia Holen Lovas
Journalist: Tobias VIken, Marit Finnland Trøite, Daniel Stølsbotn, Åshild Klepsvik,
Silje Helene Nilsen, Bertine Tønseth
Head of layout: Jon Coll Mossige
Layout: Christoph Imler
Photo: Fotogjengen ved Studentersamfundet i Trondhjem © FG fotogjengen.no
Martine Retting, Sanna Drogset Børstad, Christoph Imler

2

LEADER
DEAR FRIENDS,

ISFiT 2011, the International Student Festival in he participants. The goal of ISFiT is to create new
Trondheim, was arranged with a tremendous success attitudes and give a better understanding of the
from 11th to 20th of February. This year ISFiT world we live in. In this document you can see the
gathered more than 500 students to build a better results through statements and evaluations from the
understanding of the world we live in and gain participants.
essential knowledge in the theme of ISFiT 2011;
global health. This final document is made to present It is not easy to sum up the ten days of ISFiT 2011 in
an overview of the results of ISFiT 2011. a few words. The highlights of ISFiT 2011 are many,
we all have our own favorite moments. Whether it
ISFiT is a meeting place designed to increase the is the debates and discussions in the workshops, the
interaction between students from all over the world inspiring speeches of world-renowned speakers, or
in workshops, at the festivals cultural program and cultural evenings with the other participants or your
with world-renowned speakers. It is an arena to hosts, I hope you have enjoyed every moment.
broaden your horizons and build networks for the
future. We at ISFiT encourage you to hold on to the
experiences and friends you made during your ten
days in Trondheim, and I hope you will cherish them
for a long time. Students are the leaders of tomorrow.
Understanding and indeed respecting the differences Sincerely,
is the key to a peaceful future.

In a workshop, the process is the most important.
Even though concrete results are often made during a
workshop, the process the participant goes through is
the most important result. After two days of workshops Jørgen Westrum Thorsen
the participants have gained new experiences, new President, ISFiT 2011
perspectives, concrete methods and tools for dialogue,
and an international network of new friends.

All who works in ISFiT are volunteers, but they still
gain a lot for the work they put down in the festival.
Many get responsibility for tasks that requires
skilled workers, but since all are volunteers we do
not demand any prerequisites. This means that the
students get tasks they are not initially qualified for,
but they acquire the competence while working with
the festival. The leaders in charge of the different
departments in ISFiT are responsible for the officials
being fit to perform their tasks, and that we have fun
while working. This way we learn much more than we
would learn in the universities or university collages.

430 volunteering students of Trondheim and
invaluable partners made ISFiT 2011 possible.
They have played an essential part of making this
years festival an unforgettable experience for the
participants and the people of Trondheim. I would like
to thank everyone that contributed to ISFiT 2011. As
I mentioned earlier ISFiT 2011 went past our wildest
expectations, and we have every reason to be proud
of what we’ve achieved, that will live forever in our
hearts and in the history of ISFiT.

The results from ISFiT are not easy to measure,
because most of the results are inside the minds of

3

CEREMONY
WE HAVE THE FIRE INSIDE US
At the Opening Ceremony of ISFiT 2011, the host of the evening declared
that we need no torch carrier to open this arrangement. We have the fire
inside us.
By Eline Hansen Næset
- You’re already great
When participants and volunteers entered Storsalen at Studentersamfundet’s regular visitors always
Studentersamfundet Saturday 12th of February, there appreciate the men’s choir Pirum’s performances.
were smiling faces, colourful garments and cameras The participants, coming from all over the world, also
flashing all over the place. This was the moment that enjoyed their singing at the Opening Ceremony.
everyone had been waiting for: the festival was about Dr. Kyra Gaunt said that she was supposed to talk
to start. about the importance of collaboration amongst
students, but as she gazed at the crowded hall, she
- We are busy saving the world here declared:
The Norwegian actor Mads Bones hosted the evening. - I think you’ve already got that handled. And you’re
He described how the idea of an international student already great. Listen to each other. Listen for greatness.
festival became a reality 20 years ago. The crowd Listening is the best gift to give another human being.
agreed heartily to his comment that “we are busy Dr. Gaunt was to honor the participants with her
saving the world here”. The first cultural performance company many times during the rest of the festival.
was the first scene of a production called “Grass” by
the dancers Kine Kvarme and Luis Della Mea. It was - We are ready to make a change
received with laughter and wonder. Getting closer to the end of the ceremony, Bones
made everybody in Storsalen hold hands with the
Global Health Unites Us ones beside them, lift them towards the ceiling and
- The energy in Storsalen is unique, Jørgen Westrum say that “we are ready to make a change”.
Thorsen stated. It was a seemingly pleased President
that entered the stage. The Norwegian, energetic, pop band Team Me
- We create the ideas and attitudes that will change certainly raised the mood to even higher levels of
the future. Global health affect all of us, from the day excitement and joy. At the end of their performance,
we are born to the day we die. It unites us. We should people left their seats to join the dancing crowd in
recognize the problems, but focus on the solutions. front of the stage.
The President thereby declared ISFiT 2011 opened, When the official program was over, the ISFiT logo
with great expectations, joy and pride. was shown in the ceiling, accompanied by the
sound of a beating heart. The audience was ecstatic,
and spontaneously people started to shout “ISFiT”
rhythmically, which turned into singing. The ceremony
truly was a worthy opening of ISFiT 2011.

4

GLOBALIZE THIS: HEALTH
Theme Document for ISFiT 2011 Relevance
The theme document is formed to explain how ISFiT Health is continuously becoming more relevant as
2011 defines the concept global health and how an international phenomenon. Globalization makes
we wish to approach it as the festival theme. This the world smaller, and local challenges demands
document forms the framework for the thematic profile international action. A worldwide improvement
of the festival and is a tool for ISFiT’s functionaries in health, protection against conditions which
in the process towards making a consistent festival threaten the health of the people and balancing the
greater than the sum of its parts. differences in health within and between countries,
are all matters which are central in today’s debate
Definition around global health. Good health is a prerequisite
ISFiT 2011 defines global health as the health of the to development, and poor health is a direct obstacle.
entire world’s populace viewed in an international Health is affected by climate change, lack of
context across national perspectives and challenges. resources, economic instabilities and warfare. At the
The concept includes all aspects of human health: same time, technological and communal development
Both physical, mental and social. We define health has shown that both large governments and a single
as more than the absence of illness. Global health human being can influence the condition of global
include all humans and the interaction between them, health in a positive direction.
the conditions they live in and their quality of life.
Health is an individual resource all humans Approach
possess. In that regard, health is also a resource ISFiT 2011 will have a positive approach to global
to the local community, the nation and the world health. We accept the challenges and problems
society. Global health is both affected and has an associated with the theme and wish to create
effect on international relations such as politics, constructive dialogue and debate. We will focus on the
security, economy and culture. Politics affect global opportunities for change by striving for both a present
health through international institutions and control and future oriented view on global health. ISFiT 2011
mechanisms, as well as the national governing is going to learn from ongoing work and contribute
body. Matters pertaining to security such as war and with knowledge and involvement. When health is as
conflict, natural disasters and access to resources important to all people as it is today, it should and
have a direct influence on global health. Economical must be a central part of international debate. That
conditions includes living standards and general is why we wish to renew focus on global health as
welfare securing basic health standards for everyone, an important part of the globalization process. By
as well as trade on the industrial health market. putting the theme up on display, we encourage the
Health, opinions and perception is also influenced by leaders of tomorrow to create the ideas and attitudes
culture and socially contingent phenomena such as that change the world.
gender, ideology and religion. The right to health,
with respect to the position of the human rights
in different societies, is one of the most important
mechanisms to improve global health over time.

5

WORKSHOP 1
POLITICS
Active and engaged participants discussed
the ideal health care system in the Politics
Workshop.
By Marit Finnland Trøite
Participants from 23 different countries gave
grounds for broad discussions with different personal
experiences and opinions. The differences between
public and private health care systems were one of
the issues they discussed, and Anuar Ridzuan Azman
from Malaysia actually changed his view upon this
theme during the festival:
- I would make the health care system in my country
purely public once I get rich and powerful, even
though I was a supporter of private systems before I
came to ISFiT, he said with a smile.

Exchange of Opinions
Politics is characterized by prioritization and
lobbyism, and this was reflected in the methods
used in the Politics Workshop. Throughout the week
the participants had the opportunity to test their
debate skills in the activity speed debating, where
the participants were arranged in two rows of
chairs, facing each other. Each pair of chairs had
a note with a statement to debate, like for instance
“The government is responsible for the health system
in it’s country” or “Sugar products should be more
expensive”.

Another method used in the workshop was the value
auction where the participants were asked to come
up with important values that reflect a good lifestyle.

Divided into groups, they were given “money” that
the group could use in bidding for different values like
“love”, “courage” and “honesty”.

ISFiT Inspired
After ten days together the 27 participants evaluated
the festival. It was a common wish in the group to
spread the word of ISFiT to encourage other people
to apply, and Pierre Balaz even said that he wanted
to look at the possibility of starting a festival similar
to ISFiT in France. Others said they hopefully would
use their experiences from ISFiT in future positions.
Cristina M. Pinto was one of those.
- I want to work in the public sector, but Mexican
politicians are seen as corrupt and not reliable.
Therefore I really want to get as much information
and contacts around the world as possible, which
ISFiT has given me. Whenever I come in to a public
position I could avoid going into the same patterns.

Nataliia Futurska, from Ukraine was also thrilled by
the ten days of discussion.
- I realize that youth across the world are the most
important element in any kind of development. ISFiT
is a big ball of energy, powered by youth.

6

WORKSHOP 2
THEATER
The Theater Workshop did not lack the ambitions as they
were taught methods on how to make theatre with a world
changing potential.
By Silje Helene Nilsen
interactive theater, where the audience is free to
Invisible Theater intervene.
A group of people in uniforms from the Norwegian
army is walking around inside the railway station The participants learned methods like Image Theater,
in Trondheim. A black girl walks into the building Forum Theater and improvisation, and really got to
and the military men ask her to open the bag she experience how to make a change though acting.
is carrying. She claims to have done nothing wrong
and refuses. They demand her to open it. The girl Aviar from Estonia and Eunhye from South Korea
panics and cries out for help. She accuses them of had no doubt that they were going to use this new
being racists. The military men take her outside where knowledge and experiences in projects getting back
they empty her bag on the pavement. They grab her home.
arms and drag her with force through many blocks, - I will bring all the methods I’ve learned here at ISFiT
while she is screaming for help. People around stop back home with me to South Korea, and teach the
and stare, but no one interfere. Finally a man stops theater club I’m leading. Especially I want to try out
them and asks what is going on. invisible theater. South Korea is a very conservative
country compared to Norway, and it will be interesting
The black girl with the bag and the men in uniforms to see the reactions when we perform acts like this at
are participants in the theater workshop in ISFiT, and a bus there, says Eunhye.
the scenario described really did happen, but only
in form of a performance. Invisible theater, where Aviar is taking a major in sociology and he is thinking
realistic situations are acted out in the public, and about using forum theatre as a research method in
people are made an audience without knowing, his studies.
aims to provoke and challenge people’s attitudes –It can be a nice way to learn more about people’s
and prejudices. Evaluating the response afterwards, attitudes and opinions. ISFiT has been really inspiring,
the participants were surprised that no one reacted and it has caused me to reflect on things I never
earlier. thought of before.
– No one should be able to have that kind of total
power, only by putting on a uniform, says one of the
participants.

Three of the groups did their acts on buses, dramatizing
issues such as HIV, addiction and homosexuality. The
passengers on the buses had no idea that they were
watching an act.
- The situations we performed were at times really
ugly, and I’m surprised that people were so passive
and that no one dared to react. Most of them just
stared out the window and pretended not to see what
was going on, although they clearly did.

One of the performances did provoke people to act.
On a crowded bus, one of the participants entered
with a bottle of alcohol, looking rather scruffy
and coughing blood. When she fell over on a girl
standing beside her, the crowd turned into chaos,
and people screamed for the driver to stop the bus
and call an ambulance. Workshop leader Sofia then
had to intervene and inform the passengers that she
had the situation under control.

Shaping the content of the workshop, the workshop
leaders found their inspiration in the Brazilian
theater director Augusto Boal and his ”Theatre of the
Oppressed”. Instead of the traditional ”monologue”
performance you often experience at the theater, his
idea was to transform it into a ”dialogue” between
the audience and the stage with different forms of

7

WORKSHOP 3
EDUCATION
As a way to develop the ideas born at ISFiT 2011, the participants at
the Education Workshop created a virtual collaboration platform called
“eSamfundet”.
and project creation between the Education
37 participants in Workshop 3 were gathered in the Workshop’s members”. (Further information can be
belief that education will be a key part in solving found at http://esamfundet.wordpress.com/)
the global health crisis, both present and future. The
workshop discussed education as a vital factor in International Cooperation
bringing people out of poverty and improving their Lamija Landžo from Bosnia and Herzegovina is
health. working on a project called “Human Library”. Her
plan is to bring people from different minority groups,
Raised Awareness and make an event where people can rent a “human
Among the many inspirational speakers visiting the book” and ask any questions they might have.
workshop, the most memorable was arguably Safia - Duško Kostic inspired me, and I hope to bring him
Abdi Haase, a Somali nurse who works against to the event, she said. The follow-up projects touches
Female Genital Mutilation. She stressed the fact upon many different aspects of education and health.
that education and information is crucial to raise Nicholas Kang from Canada, is planning to bring
awareness around such taboo subjects. fellow Education-participants as guest speakers at his
-There are three solutions to this and the world’s university.
health problems; education, education, education,
Safia Abdi Haase said. A group of very different people came together,
discussed, learned and produced extraordinary
Inspiration, Passion and Enjoyment results. Emmanuel Paredes from Guatemala said:
During the week, topics such as education as aid - I got to meet many wonderful people who are not
and alternative learning were discussed. Some of the waiting for a better world, they are making it happen.
participants got to test their abilities as educators in a I left Norway even more conscious of the work that
role-play in the workshop. Engagement and passion needs to be done to improve ourselves and our
were showed by the participants at all times, and as communities.
the skills in the energizer “Hi-Ha-Ho” developed, the
group continued to grow closer.

The Laureate of the Student Peace Prize 2011,
Duško Kostic, came to tell about his work for the
Roma people. He attended the workshop both as
a participant and a lecturer, and this sparked the
participants’ motivation, as several of them have plans
for creating similar projects in their own countries.

eSamfundet
As the festival was coming to an end, it became
clear that ISFiT could not be the last arena where
communication, discussion and sharing of ideas and
enthusiasm among the participants could happen.
From this decision, “eSamfundet” was born, defined
by one of the participants as “a virtual collaboration
platform to enhance the discussions, information
exchange,

8

WORKSHOP 4
WATER
Using each other’s experiences and learning from experts, the participants
of the Water Workshop got better insight on different perspectives
concerning water during ISFiT.
yourself and stay motivated. During ISFiT I have gotten
With participant from 24 different countries, the Water a global experience. I have been so concerned with
Workshop wanted not only to learn from experts, my own country’s problems that I did not see that
but also from each other. Sharing experiences from there is a big world out there also struggling; now I
their home countries, they worked with issues such as do. Listening to the other participants, real people on
waterborn diseases, industry emissions, human rights the ground, telling their story and their experiences
and water as a source of life and conflict. concerning water issues was really inspiring, he said
and continued:
Catastrophe Day -Now I am only thinking about how I can involve
A tsunami strikes land. Eight families in an isolated myself and how to pass forward what I have learned.
village manage to get to a safe zone at the top of a It is not always the financial part that is important. I
hill. The village is destroyed and everything around now have new knowledge and a huge network of
is flooded. To survive the families must go off the safe friends from countries all over the globe. The potential
zone between the strike of the waves, to get hold of of actually being able to do something great is
recourses like food, medicines and water. People are absolutely present.
running around. Each family sticks together. This is
about life and death.

This was the scenario when the Water Workshop
and the Climate and Environment Workshop
were challenged at a catastrophe day, where
the participants’ team building skills really were
challenged. Many of the participants found the game
very useful and educational. For some it was the first
time trying a team building activity, and they were
clear on one thing – this was something they wanted
to develop further and use back home.

Eager to Make a Difference
–The western societies are so selfish, and do not
appreciate water enough. They should learn more
about the situation in other parts of the world, says
Sasha Grant, one of the participants from Trinidad,
who studies environmental management. The last day
of the festival the workshop spent a lot of time talking
about how they could use the experiences from ISFiT
in the future. The participants were eager to make a
difference and continue the work. They focused on
how to use this international network they now are
a part of. Influencing the information spread and
making people more aware of what is going on in the
countries they now have learned more about, were
the ambitions most of them had.

Summing up the week, Tahsin Hayder from Bangladesh
had no doubt that ISFiT had changed him.
– I have learned more about how to work as a unit,
how to find solutions and new data, how to inspire

9

WORKSHOP 5
MENTAL HEALTH
Workshop 5 wanted to raise awareness about how our mental health is affected
by cultural context, lifestyle, mind-set, and experience. What is mental health
and how can it be improved? Topics such as identity, happiness, death and
suicide were discussed.
By Eline Hansen Næset a global perspective, touching upon how depression
is likely to be the most prevalent disease globally as
The World Health Organization has defined health as measured in DALY’s (disability affected living years),
the complete physical, mental and social well-being, and how mental illness impedes the achievement of
not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Our other health and development targets, and contributes
mental well-being is vital to determine our health. to poverty.
Mental health is thus a matter of definition, leading
to questions such as: Who is sicker; a person with
a cold who considers him/herself sick or a cancer-
patient who feels just fine? Stories and views shared by everyone made it
clear that mental illness is perceived differently
- We are not going to learn happiness by studying throughout the world. There was consensus among
depression the participants that cultural stigmas related to mental
Speaker Lisa Vivoll Straume talked about positive health must be tackled. Young people coming together
psychology where they focus attention upon and sharing views at ISFiT might hopefully make a
the sources of psychological health, rather than difference, however small.
emphasizing disease and disorder. Many of the
participants were inspired by this, among them Anna Coming Together – The First Step
from Moldova. She wants to give lectures at her Through various methods, sharing personal stories
university about positive psychology. and discussions they gathered knowledge about how
As an attempt to explore the connection between mental health is perceived in different cultures. They
physical and mental health the workshop moved found many challenges, varying between societies.
outdoors to Estenstadmarka one of the days, and What they saw as common challenges were taboos
the participants were introduced to the Norwegian and prejudices. People know too little about mental
tradition of hiking. Dr. Lakshmi Vijayakumar had illness, and their perception is often mistaken.
previously talked about how physical exercise has the Therefore it is important in all parts of the world to
same therapeutic effect as psychotherapy for mildly to be more open around this subject and to educate
moderately depressed individuals. people, so that the conditions for mental health can
be improved.
Global Challenges and Cultural Stigmas - It was in those moments I realized my heart is an
Other speakers to visit the workshop were Gunnhild open target for both bad and good, and the world
Corwin and Lars Lien. Corwin spoke about loss and will shoot and I will have to take the bullet! But the
grief, sharing her personal story about losing her one thing I’ve learned is that it’s up to me to decide
daughter to cancer. The participants discussed how whether I want to drop dead and lay low or become
death, and coping with death, is regarded differently better and stronger, said Anna from Moldova.
in different cultures. Lien addressed mental health in

10

WORKSHOP 6
LITERATURE
How to approach global health through literature?
The sixth workshop set out to answer and examine
this problem.
By Åshild Klepsvik group had to dive into during the week.

Energetic and Varied
The energy within the group was incredible,
making the group dynamic and vivid. It was never
embarrassing to stand by your views or expressing
your deepest emotions. From different energizers,
writing, listening and discussing, the participants got
to know and trust each other. This was the cause of
the safe atmosphere that quickly developed in the
workshop. The variety within the group ranged from
a published poet, philosophy student, TV-anchor
woman, to a master student in engineering and
students studying Nordic languages. This diversity
and the participants’ engagement really improved the
quality of the discussions and the workshop as a total.

At the end of the week, it was clear that ISFiT had
been a changing once-in-a-lifetime experience. There
is no doubt that the “hugging-barrier” decreased
throughout the week, that group-contribution can
serve you a second round of beer at Edgar and that
friends have been made for life.

Writing and reading texts on health related topics
made the foundation for the literature workshop. With
participants eager to discuss, read and write, it soon
became obvious that global health can be expressed
in several different ways.

Learning Through Writing
Throughout the week they wrote a scientific article,
wrote poems, experienced the therapeutic approach
of expressive writing, read short stories, watched a
lecture concerning happiness and discussed a lot.

A visit from a published author gave the group
an insight on how to express themselves through
literature, and how to write about a serious illness
from a personal point of view. Writing poems brought
out the emotional side in some, while others listened
thoughtfully to the expressive texts, created in a short
amount of time. Some of the participants performed
their poems at the Closing Ceremony.

Through discussions and other group activities,
different opinions were shared, giving the participants
a more nuanced view on the topic global health. How
the topic loneliness is conceived in Guatemala versus
Finland or Pakistan, what makes you happy, and
how to well formulate a scientific article concerning
a health-related issue, were some of the questions the

11

WORKSHOP 7
CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT
The participants of the Climate and Environment Workshop experienced each
other so inspiring that ideas for a range of new projects were born already
during ISFiT.
assessments, which started up with something as
-It gives me so much motivation and strength to see simple as a wish of wanting to make a difference for
that there are many who care about the same as I, his community. One of the girls in the workshop really
says Nahvin Jayaratnam from Malaysia. liked what she heard, and is planning on cooperating
with Tony and his firm in her PhD.
Catastrophe Day
Together with the Water Workshop, the Climate Katrina and Marcos did a sharing session together
and Environment Workshop were challenged at and told the rest of the group about their knowledge
the catastrophe day where a flood scenario was on climate refugees’ challenges in the world today.
simulated in a gymnastic hall. After the game they This led to questions and discussion, and the
talked about the main problems and how to provide workshop talked about starting an international
health care during natural catastrophes. Many of the project highlighting the economical side of climate
participants had experienced a flood, a tsunami or refugees.
an earthquake, and they shared their stories and tried
to relate them to the game. The Kenyans in the Climate and Environment
Workshop are going to take recycling home to
Inspirational Speakers their own student campuses. The infrastructure for
Nnimmo Bassey, a Nigerian environmentalist treating recycled waste is present in their community,
activist and poet, and chair of Friends of the but recycling is not. This is something they want to
Earth International, the world’s largest grassroots change.
environmental network, spoke to the workshop. He -It is not always about competing. Working together
was a great inspiration to all the participants, and we will achieve much more. I do not want to stop
especially Usman from Nigeria. He had a long chat at my country, I want to make it global, and ISFiT
with Bassey after his speech, they exchanged contact makes this possible. Building this huge network, we
information and Usman is now starting up a local can continue the climate fight internationally, Nahvin
group of Friends of the Earth in his city. Jayaratnam concluded.

Projects After ISFiT
Sonali from India told the rest of the workshop about
an organization in her country that tries to cure
cataract. The organization trains ordinary locals,
also without prior medical training, in performing
the necessary procedures and having the locals treat
people in their own community. This has been a great
success resulting in dramatic fall in cataract related
health problems. Also here Usman from Nigeria was
so inspired that he is now planning to start a local
group like this in Nigeria, and Sonali will help him
get the necessary contacts for information exchange
between the countries.

Tony in the workshop shared his experience starting a
firm in Kenya with the rest of the group. His company
focuses on doing surveys and environmental impact

12

WORKSHOP 8
ECONOMY

By Tobias Viken
Economy touches upon every aspect of global health.
A major challenge for Workshop 8 was thus to find
which issues to focus on and how to concretize in
terms of finding solutions to problems in the global
health economy. The workshop’s participants all
studied something related to economy or were in other
ways interested in topics directly related to economy.
This lead to a tightly connected group whose strong
bonds made communication and cooperation natural
from day one.

-My ISFiT consists of three parts: one – important
academic information, two – an amazing travelling
experience, and the last and most important third
-- extracurricular classes of life values: support,
friendship, love, fun, tolerance, happiness and feeling
alive, said Natalia from Ukraina

As learning and sharing through fun was important to
the workshop, team-building games and energizers
played a significant role in the work. However, it
became clear that the group was really enthusiastic
about debating and discussing the topics at hand
while also being deeply devoted to problem solving.
When the participants were in the intensive finish-up
of the last workshop day, they even refused to join in
on the energizers - time should not be wasted when
saving the world.
- Now i am sure that i am not alone to change this
world for the better, said Elias from Venezuela.

During the introductory days the focus was on
economic prioritization, economic systems, the Auction, where different groups were to bid for
business and law. A fruitful and fun method was health economic systems and together find the best
one. Further on, the workshop worked in-depth on
problems regarding the pharmaceutical industry,
access to medicine, and economic distribution in
developing countries. The benefits and drawbacks of
market mechanisms were of concern. It was agreed
upon that the pharmaceutical market should, in order
for the world to reach a state of equity, be put under
stricter regulations than other markets, as human life is
no consumer good. The final work consisted of writing
the Manifesto; a charter describing possible solutions
to challenges in the global health economy. Besides
invaluable festival experiences, these ideas are what
the participants took with them home to spread to
their local communities.

The work of Workshop 8 was knowledge driven;
the participants had a passion for solving difficult
problems and finding ways to use economic tools to
promote global health. The task was taken seriously,
as this quote from a participant shows:
-- A doctor can kill a person, but an economist can kill
a whole society.

13

WORKSHOP 9
FOOD
Food is our common ground, a universal experience, but even though there is
more than enough food for everyone in the world, it is not distributed equally.

Origins of Inspiration
Gustafson was an origin of inspiration for the
participants, and the group decided to join
Gustafson’s 30 Project. The 30 Project will bring
together key organizations and activists working
around the world on addressing hunger, obesity, and
agriculture issues to talk about their visions for the
food system and the next 30-years. The participants
are encouraged to raise their consciousness about
for example ecologically grown food and local
producers through this project. The idea is that the
participants should share their experiences through
text and pictures.
Participant Guillermo Sedjo from Suriname is also
Already the first day the participants showed a real working on a project that focuses on sustaining
commitment for the topic of the workshop’s topic: the rainforest and promoting healthy food. His
food. The result of the workshop leader’s introduction project is connected to the Millenium Development
of the Norwegian brown-cheese was that all the Goals, namely MDG no.7: Ensuring environmental
participants brought brown-cheese back to their sustainability and MDG no. 1 Eradicate extreme
home countries after the festival. This first day was poverty and hunger. The intention is to collaborate with
also devoted to an introduction to each other, as well some local organizations such the Junior Chamber
as each other’s food-traditions. As the famous chef International, NGO’s and youth organizations.
James Beard once said: Through this project young people in Suriname will
- Food is our common ground, a universal experience. be trained in greenhouse cultivation methods, which
could lead to less damage to the rain forest.
A Global Challenge - ISFiT 2011 and the Food Workshop were to me a
Food is one of the most essential topics related to global confirmation of my decision of choosing the course
health; it is relevant to virtually all the topics discussed International Agribusiness and continue the work with
during ISFiT 2011. Sustainable development, mental this project, he said.
health, and obesity just to mention some of them. One
third of the world’s population is either affected by
obesity or hunger, and this fact confirm that it is a
global challenge.

-A hungry man is an angry man
Anne Poulsen, from UN World Food Program, visited
the workshop and the participants had an opportunity
to ask critical questions to WFP’s program. An
interactive session between Ellen Gustafson, co-
founder of FEED and creator of The 30 Project, and
the participants led to a great discussion about the
hunger- and obesity problems in the world. Gustafson
pointed out that the food problems are pretty much
the same in both industrial and developing countries.

Food security was one of the topics the participants
in Workshop 9 had a special commitment to. Areas
where people are hungry are also areas with security
problems. Should therefore the security-problems in
the world be reframed to a focus on food security?
This was frequently discussed by for instance Nirmal
Kumar Upreti from Nepal:
- A hungry man is an angry man, if we give him food
it will be peace. It is our basic need, he claims.

14

WORKSHOP 10
SEX
29 participants from 24 different countries made up workshop
10 and gathered in Trondheim to work with topics related to sex,
health and sexuality.

The workshop got a visit from the inspiring Walter Renato from Brazil summed up what a lot of the
Heidkampf, a man who have lived with HIV for 22 participants expressed:
years. Several participants sincerely noted that he -What differentiates ISFiT from other such things is a
resolved and dispelled a lot stigmas surrounding focus on fun, joy and enthusiasm; the will to make a
people living with HIV. Later the same day, Safia Abdi difference. I’m now able to conclude that everyone is
Hasse gave a lecture about female genital mutilation. an extension of myself, as an individual, regardless
Bjørg Norli from Pro-senteret and Stine Svendsen from of differences of culture, personal beliefs, religions,
LLH shared some of their knowledge about prostitution sexual preferences etc. Because we live in such a
and LBGT rights, respectively, later the same week. fragmented society, in which we separate people by
putting labels on them, it was a unique experience to
In the wake of ISFiT, a lot of the participants have be in contact with different point of views on relevant
been inspired to continue working so as to make a topics, sharing our knowledge and hopes of a better
difference: Gonzalo from Peru is holding a conference future. And I’m sure we can make a change now that
about sex at his home university, and Esther from we are back home.
Germany asked kindly if she could be invited as
a guest speaker. Filip from Croatia is thinking of
organizing a seminar or workshop at his college.
- Our perspective has changed, and we have learned
to love each other out of color, out of race, said Rhyan
from the Philippines who will keep on working for a
non-discrimination agenda at his university.

Akshay from India has been planning a group
for homosexual students, and got the necessary
inspiration to work on with the project. In addition he
plans to hold a workshop about safe sex; one of the
frequently returning topics of the workshop.

Alisa from Canada will keep on working with the
difficult topic of trafficking. The Brazilian trio José,
Renato and Adams have also got big plans. José is
proposing a workshop about sexuality at his home
university while Renato and Adams will keep working
with prejudices and rights related to homosexuality
and bisexuality.
- I feel really differently now, said Adams at the end
of the festival I really feel like putting on an ISFiT shirt
and go around handing out condoms, teaching about
safe sex. Together nearly all of the participants are
working with proposals on a collaboration project
and are planning to apply for funding to a post-ISFiT
project.

15

WORKSHOP 11
GLOBAL STREET ART
The workshop Global Street Art visualized the concept of health through art.

By Åshild Klepsvik from different countries in the world, we ate all

Global Street Art aimed to be the most seen workshop very similar. All nice people open to meet other
during the festival. They wanted to be present in the without prejudices, being kind and wanting to get
townscape and to be noticed. What distinguishes to know each other better. I wish there were more
this workshop from the rest is that Global Street Art people in my city with the same attitude.
expressed views on global health though creative
work, as individuals and as a group. Will Be Remembered
One topic that was widely discussed and will be
Inspired by the Other Workshops remembered among the participants was the Flash
The workshop’s product from the festival was mainly Mob. The stunt was arranged by the Global Street
three large boxes they decorated with stencil art Art Workshop together with the Marketing Group.
and placed in the two main shopping streets in Most of the workshops met at the town square, and
Trondheim. For inspiration the participants went to showed how ISFiT had occupied Trondheim. People
different workshops and the boxes were painted to passing stopped to see what was going on, and what
reflect the themes of the workshops they visited. Most they saw was a group of masked people with masks
of the week they had Chris Stain, a renowned stencil saying: Google This: Health.
artist from New York, to help them with the project. - It is not the products we are left with after the festival,
He was a great inspiration and resource. but all the different faces on a globe that used to be
full of black holes, now replaced by memories of
The first project the participants worked on was an persons connecting these places, Åsmund Berstad,
individual work of art of what they associated with one of the workshop leaders says.
global health. The participants had started their
train of thought before coming to Norway, as they
had been asked to bring something representing
their relations to health. It was a project where the
participants bonded and opened up to one another,
and started to share experiences. The results hung on
the wall in the stairs up to Storsalen at the Closing
Ceremony.

Friendships Were Made
Shared stories from their home countries, discussions
on how to make the world a better place and long
conversations in Edgar to long past midnight led to
deprivation of sleep, which may have contributed
to the internal humor that evolved in the group. The
group grew more and more close through the week,
and at the end close friends parted, each to his own
country.

The participants enjoyed their stay in Norway and
the experiences they shared. Joris Wagemakers
expressed this:
-You know what was really great? Although we are all

16

WORKSHOP 12
FUTURE
In workshop 12 the future was put in focus. 36 participants from countries spanning from Latin
America to Asia gathered to discuss the future challenges related to global health.

By Daniel Stølsbotn
At the end of the Leadership Day they created a
-We have been working with a lot of different topics. contract defining how they wish to be as leaders
All of the participants at the workshop have talent of tomorrow. Once everybody agreed, they signed
for being leaders, so when we created the tasks and it with mutual obligations as future leaders. Each
issues we wanted to challenge them and focus on participant got their own original contract, signed by
skills that are important when being a leader, says all the others, which will aid them in remembering
workshop leader Rosilin. The participants were most what they agreed upon in the workshop. As some
of the time divided into groups, to allow for as much put it,
time as possible for each participant to share their -When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of
opinions. Through role playing games the participants people: Those who let it happen, those who make
got to feel for themselves how they would act when it happen, and those who wonder, what happened?
facing difficult situations. Questions regarding There is no doubt in our mind that the participants of
education, globalization, diseases and economy and workshop 12 are of the kind that makes it happen.
their tight connections to global health issues were
also discussed through different debate methods.

A Lot of Fun
An unforgettable moment occurred already on the
second day in the workshop. Time and place were
forgotten as Akshara and Vandana, both from India,
got the participants and workshop leaders engaged
in Bollywood dancing. To make a good moment even
better, Charles from Uganda followed up by being
the lead dancer in an improvised dance to Shakira’s
Waka Waka song.
-We are a very united group, and I think we all have
become really close to each other, says Aina, one of
the participants in the workshop.

The Leaders of Tomorrow
An important part of the workshop was the day
devoted to leadership. With the workshop’s
subheading being “Leaders of Tomorrow”, the day
was set up so the participants could learn about their
own leadership style, as well as practice both being
a leader and giving a speech. In the Conflict Game
all the participants got to try to resolve a conflict
between two employees in a made up company
called Trondheim Advertisement. Common for all the
different scenarios played out, were the end product
which was a hand drawn advertisement on a piece
of paper.
-I think a good leader needs integrity and has to be
visionary. You also need to be a good listener and
be passionate about the things you work for, says
workshop participant Obert.

Those Who Make it Happen
During a rhetoric course at the Leadership Day, all the
participants held a short speech they had prepared.
Even with just a few minutes of preparation, the
participants made excellent use of what they had
learned at the course and gave moving speeches
which gave everyone new insight.

17

WORKSHOP 13
GENES
What does the future child look like? This question and many other were raised on one of the
genes workshop’s ten days at ISFiT.

By Bertine Tønseth
In 2001 Magor from Nigeria was invited to join ISFiT
, but he was not able to participate at the festival. Ten
years later he could finally go to Norway to learn
about genes, ethics and global health in Workshop
13. He learned about different topics along with
his fellow students. The workshop dealt with issues
like ethics, religion and politics, and gene modified
organisms. Two medical days, as well a social day
was arranged. Intense discussions was an important
way of learning about genes and global health. But
maybe more importantly many learned about how the
students’ voices mean something.

-We are all special
-The most important lesson I have learned during
the festival is to listen to people and their opinions,
and to accept them. I have also learned how to act
with people from other countries. We are all special,
claims Alexandra from Russia.

To enter the many discussions, different types of games
and methods were used. One of the many games the
participants played was the sinking boat role-play.
Each person within a group of six was assigned a
genetic disease and had to argue in favor of its life
on a sinking boat.

Participating in an ISFiT workshop is not only about
hard work. During the social day the participants got
to stay at a cabin where they tasted some Norwegian
waffles, a birthday cake, as well as some international
food. They also got to watch art and dancing shared
by the other participants. When in Norway, why not
enjoy the snow? Some people from the workshop
went skiing, others tried the sled and others were
brave and went snow bathing after visiting the sauna.

Think Globally, Act Locally
On the last day of the festival Workshop 13 talked
about how they would bring what they had learned
His message is to think globally, but act locally.
and experienced during these days back home to
Many participants from the genes workshop are
their home communities. Like many others, Magor
eager to promote ISFiT through different means, and
wants to use ISFiT to send a message to other youths.
many were surprised and encouraged by the great
volunteering culture in Trondheim.

Today the participants are braver and they are
thinking about starting initiatives of their own to try to
adopt this volunteering culture and the ISFiT mentality.
Romeo from Uganda learned that students have got
their own voice, and therefore he wants to start his
own student festival in Africa.
-ISFiT has been a great experience, and a good
opportunity in life.

18

WORKSHOP 14
WOMEN AND CHILDREN
Women and children are often the first victims in crises and poverty. Workshop 14 consisted of
people with a strong wish to improve their living conditions.

By Eline Hansen Næset
In addition they were privileged to have Sir
From the first day the workshop had a good Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, Dr. Kyra Gaunt and two
atmosphere. Still, the real breakthrough came the Afghan midwives visiting the workshop.
third day. A “cultural exchange” was arranged,
and they had three wonderful hours of dancing, Inspiration for Future Projects
singing, sharing, playing and laughing. At the end Through what was done in the workshop participants
they listened to music, and “Heal the World” by got ideas about what they could do when returning to
Michael Jackson started playing. Suddenly the entire their home countries. Juliet from Kenya, for example,
workshop stood closely with the arms around each wants to start an exchange program at her university
other, singing out loud. From that moment, they were in cooperation with other students, so that more
a workshop family. people can get cultural input like she got during the
festival. She also wants to apply for the ISFiT fund to
Multiple Topics - Multiple Points of View help funding a children’s home. Maxwell from Ghana
During the week the workshop discussed many will teach parents about child abuse, and also go to
important issues, including violence against women, schools to raise awareness of the
education, maternal health and gender equality. One topic.
of the moments that maybe will be remembered best,
is when they used the method “four corners”. They
read a controversial statement, and the participants
then placed themselves where they belonged on a
scale from “fully agree” to “fully disagree”. The
temperature rose with statements like “girls should
play with dolls, and boys should play with trucks”
and “every life is valuable and should be protected,
even if it is unborn”. This really showed how diverse
different cultures are, and it showed how people can
have so many different opinions, and yet be so alike.

Aid Game = Aid Reality?
One of the highlights was the Aid Game. The
participants were divided into various imaginary
countries, and given different roles as old or young,
female or male. The workshop leaders were going
to drop an egg from the level of two meters, and
their task was to build something, using their given
resources, that would prevent the egg from breaking.
The egg represented the country’s basic needs, such
as food, water, good health and education.

The enthusiasm grew as they started building, and
the intensity was not reduced when one of the
countries suddenly was exposed to an earth quake
which tore down everything they had made. Another
country was hit by a flood followed by waterborne
diseases, and a third country suffered from an HIV/
AIDS epidemic that killed the majority of mothers in
the country. It was an interesting way of experiencing
the injustice in the world related to poverty, lack of
resources and global health.

19

WORKSHOP 15
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Internet and mobile phones has during the last 20 years revolutionized how we communicate
with each other. How is this affecting our health, and how can we use information technology
in solving the health problems of the future?
By Daniel Stølsbotn
IT and Censorship
Global health is not just about illness and diseases. The rise of social media and networks as Facebook,
It covers a lot of different aspects concerning how Twitter and blogs has completely altered the dynamics
we live our lives. Your country’s political system of how we consume news and interact with each other.
concerns your health, as do your personal income Internet has made it much harder for governments to
and access to health services. Information technology censor people’s opinions, and it makes room for new
has become a big part of our everyday lives. This has channels for democratic participation. A result we
opened new opportunities to how we can meet the can observe in the current uprisings in the Arabian
future’s health related challenges. countries.

eHealth Censorship was the topic of the last day at the IT
Today we can spread information to a much greater workshop. Should the government decide what
extent and much faster than we could just a couple of should to be censored? Was one of the questions that
years ago. All over the world more and more people were raised. Discussions were intense and opinions
get access to Internet and cell phones. This creates differed. Some meant that the government should
opportunities that were non-existing just a few years have full control over what it wanted to censor,
ago. while others meant the government should have no
-I want to use IT to work with health. In my home control. The intensity that lasted through the debate
country Indonesia, we do not have an ehealth system, showed what a great arena ISFiT is for people from
so I have been thinking of maybe establishing one different cultures to meet and discuss. Though people
by making a webpage, said workshop participant disagreed, it also created understanding for each
Hafiz. He studies computer science and sees a lot of others point of view at the same time.
opportunities by using IT.
-An eHealth system is basically a health information
site on the internet. Many diseases can be cured by
simple means, but you need the right information.
By establishing an eHealt system, people can get
information on how to treat people that get sick.

Making Hospitals More Efficient
IT also creates opportunities to make hospitals more
efficient and treatment better. The participants visited
St. Olav’s hospital where they witnessed a live feed
from an operation, demonstrating how IT can be used
to improve operations.
-We had a lot of very good lectures where we learned
how we could mix technology and real life. Visiting
the hospital was really inspiring. There is a really big
difference between how they use IT at hospitals here
in Norway compared to Colombia, where I come
from. At the hospitals in Colombia we do a lot of
paperwork instead of using computers. I want to
work with IT and create more effective solutions, said
Cesar, who also studies computer science.

20

WORKSHOP 16
SPORTS
Workshop 16 was definitely the workshop with the most physical activity.

By Katrine Hansen
invited to practice Chi-Kung. In addition to this,
With its 28 participants from 22 nationalities, and Kirsti Lund Vik, a PhD student in motion science, also
with several medicine students in their midst, the introduced them to physical activities suitable for
workshop had a good starting point. Physical activity children, youth and others that do not have so much
was a very important part of the workshop day. But experience with sports, in order to give them extra
they did not just play, they used the sports activities motivation.
to build and strengthen the group’s team spirit and
cooperation. This resulted in a good atmosphere The workshop resulted in lots of fun, friendship, more
within the group and great discussions, where the open minds, exchange of opinions, cultural exchange
participants felt secure and were not afraid to open and consciousness, and ideas and motivation for
up and express their opinions. future projects. Many of the participants are going
to use the things they learned during ISFiT when they
Experiencing Traditions return home, among others to affirm a cricket club in
After a demanding ski day, the workshop spent Indonesia and a horse riding school in India.
the night at the Student Cabin owned by NTNUI,
where the participants got the opportunity to feel the
Norwegian custom of outdoor life and got to know
each other in a different atmosphere. The snow bath
after the sauna was cited by many as one of the
craziest experiences they have ever had.

The writer Susan Abulhawa visited the workshop and
talked about her project ”Playgrounds for Palestine”,
and how important the playgrounds and physical
activity actually are for children to develop and grow
up in a normal manner. In addition, Dr. Lakshmi
Vijayakumar, a specialist on suicides, emphasized
the connection between the mental and physical
health, and how physical activity can be used in
rehabilitation of mental illnesses.

Sports to the People
Activation of people was the most covered theme
of the workshop. Gerardus Ettema, professor in
motion science, introduced a discussion about
whether people need to exercise at all. The workshop
participants were taught the old Chinese technique,
Tai Chi, both in theory and practice by two instructors
from the Norwegian Taiji Centre. In the middle of
the ISFiT week the instructors led a very successful
morning event at the Trondheim city square, where
several ISFiT participants, functionaries, and people
passing by were

21

WORKSHOP 17
DEVELOPMENT AND AID
There are many perceptions of the issues related to the term “development and aid”. Some are
good and some not so great. Workshop 17 learned about both.

By Bertine Tønseth
Up to a Good Start
The first days of the workshop it seemed obvious At the workshop’s last day the ISFiT Assembly of
to the participants what issues they were going to Development & Aid was arranged. Inspired by a UN
discuss. It was easy for all to agree on many flaws model a chair, secretaries, speakers list and other
of today’s development and aid: the superficiality, formalities was set up. The result of the assembly
ineffectiveness, imperialistic tendencies, double moral was a draft resolution, which mainly mentioned the
and contradictions. But what did the participants recommendations action that the various countries
really learn from this? should commit. The name ISADA, which stand for
International Ambassadors of Development and
Some would say that the point where the participants Aid, was also created. In these days, the members
really started to realize something and achieve of Workshop 17 are organizing a group of social
development as a group was at the third day of the networks were they can share information, to each
workshop. This decisive moment was the aid- and other and to others.
development game. Two teams, with their own land,
had different resources, but with the same goal: to One of the first little actions of ISADA, is making a
build a hospital. The inequality between the two video with film clips from all of the groups in their
teams in terms of materials, structural matters and different countries, having a day were they live on
consequently accomplishments soon became clear. one dollar. How does this affect people’s daily life?
But wasn’t this like the reality? Is it not like this the The hopefully long lasting cooperation between 28
world functions today? Many had gained some sort students around the world with an honest interest in
of understanding of why the developing of today goes development and aid is up to a good start.
on the way it does, and why it is difficult to change.

The Real World
But, as one person pointed out, if we keep playing this
game according to what is expected from it, of what is
considered close to reality, what is then the possibility
of change? If some of us in years from now, are in
powerful positions, and keep thinking with this same
logic, will anything be different? People suddenly
realized that they had been discussing weaknesses
the whole week: superficiality, contradictions,
ineffectiveness, about development and aid. But this
was first meaningful if they could relate them to them
selves, and feel the challenge on their own body.
-This is the real world, said Choolwe from Zambia.
This game taught him how the world really works and
he would love to see a change in people’s attitudes.

The aid game brought a sharing of reflection of the
world today, but also of emotions. They realized it was
personal. The 28 faces from 22 different nationalities
were the witnesses of that.

22

THE STUDENT PEACE PRIZE
A CONTRIBUTION TO PEACE
For more than a decade the Student Peace Prize has been a way to support students all over
the world who are doing important work to promote peace and human rights. The Croatian
student Duško Kostic as the first European Laureate, was awarded the prize for his work for
the Roma people’s rights.
for children and youth. He has been characterized by
The Student Peace Prize committee as “an everyday
Many prominent people have recognized the prize,
hero that motivates others through emphasizing
like Eva Joly who sent congratulations to Kostic
education and peace building”.
himself:
- In a time when incomprehension between people is
The stigmatization against the Roma people is also a
a real danger, and when social exclusion is a terrible
challenge on an international level:
and a far too widespread reality, there is maybe
- Suppression against minorities is one of Europe’s
nothing as important as the struggle for a better
biggest challenges. Since the Roma are the biggest
education for everyone. In particular for those who
minority it is very important to discuss their situation,
are too often discriminated.
Jahn Otto Johansen said. He has had a commitment
for the Roma for many years and has written several
Spotlight on Young Laureates
books about the theme. He has also worked as a
The first Student Peace Prize was awarded in 1999.
foreign correspondent and chief editor for one of
To this day, seven students and student organizations
Norway’s largest newspapers, Dagbladet.
from Burma, East Timor, Zimbabwe, Colombia,
Western Sahara and Croatia have received the prize.
Perspectives Beyond the Present
- Where other peace prizes go to established
Duško Kostic was given the opportunity to tell his story
personalities, the Student Peace Prize puts a spotlight
to people and organizations that can contribute to his
on young persons that still work in the dark, Eirik Vikum
work through the Student Peace Prize Tour. The tour
Head of the Secretariat of the Student Peace Prize,
visited six Norwegian cities, including Trondheim and
pointed out. The Student Peace Prize is awarded on
ISFiT 2011. The laureate visited different workshops
behalf of all students in Norway, while the selection
in addition to a plenary session at Dragvoll campus,
itself is made by an independent Student Peace Prize
NTNU. The journalist and writer Tore-Jarl Bielenberg
committee which in 2011 included four experts; Gro
brought the audience in the auditorium on a journey
Holm, Børge Brende, Vigdis Lian and Ole Danbolt
of the Roma people’s history before the laureate of
Mjøs, the former chairman of the Norwegian Nobel
the Student Peace Prize 2011 talked to the audience
Committee.
about his work for the Roma people in Croatia.
Promotes Education
The participants of ISFiT 2011 was enthusiastic about
As founder and president of the organization
both the laureate and the Student Peace Prize in
“Association of Roma Friendship”, LUNA, Duško
general, just like Jahn Otto Johansen:
Kostic plays a lead role in spreading knowledge and
- This year’s laureate shows that the Student Peace
learning about the Roma. Since 2005 Kostic has
Prize is relevant today, but manages at the same time
been visiting Roma families in Croatia to promote
to maintain a perspective beyond the present, he
education
said.

23

WALK OF PEACE
TRONDHEIM’S NEW ATTRACTION
Since 1999, the Student Peace Prize has been awarded to students or student organizations
that has distinguished itself in peace and human rights work. To honor the laureates of this
prize, Trondheim now has its own version of Hollywood Walk of Fame.
These are the previous Student Peace Prize Laureates:
- This is the world’s only peace prize for students,
from students. By this landmark we want to honor the 1999:
past and future laureates of the Student Peace Prize, Antero Benedito da Silva and the student organization
President of ISFiT Jørgen Westrum Thorsen said at the the East Timor Student Solidarity Council for their
opening in Jomfrugata Thursday 17th of February non-violent fight for independence from Indonesian
2011. occupation.
2001:
Reflects Peacefulness Min Ko Naing and the student organization All
One memorial plate for each of the Student Peace Burma Federation of Student Unions for their non-
Prize laureates has been laid down in Jomfrugata, violent contribution to peace in Burma.
and new plates will be laid down for future laureates. 2003:
The memorial plates are made of bronze laid in a The student organization Zimbabwe National
stone of granite, and are designed by NTNU student Student Union for their battle for student rights and
Åshild Herdlevær. democracy in Robert Mugabe’s oppressing regime.
– The idea is that the colors and shape of a leaf will 2005:
bring the stressful city back to the nature, and also it The student organization Association for Colombian
kind of reflects peacefulness, like the Student Peace University Students for their effort to maintain a
Prize, she said. public university, and their non-violent involvement
in the ongoing conflict in Colombia.
A Lasting Value 2007:
ISFiT and the Student Peace Prize want to give Charm Tong for her effort as an activist in the
something back to Trondheim. Head of Tourism in Burmese opposition.
Trondheim, Line-Vikrem Rosmæl, boasted Walk of 2009:
Peace as a tourist attraction in the city: Elkouria “Rabab” Amidane for her work towards
- Walk of Peace will be a tourist attraction in the emancipation of the Sahrawi people in Western
Trondheim on the same level as the Old Town Bridge Sahara.
and Bakklandet, and with time it will perhaps be as 2011:
large as the Nidaros Cathedral. Duško Kostić for his contribution to the Roma rights
in Croatia.
Eirk Vikum, Head of the Secretariat of the Student
Peace Prize, emphasizes the value of the new For further information about this year’s and previous
attraction. winners visit www.studentpeaceprize.org
- With the Walk of Peace the laureates of the Student
Peace Prize, and their work will be seen. ISFiT and
the Student Peace Prize put their mark on the city with
the Walk of Peace, raising the bar even higher for
future festivals. The students of Trondheim will take
this challenge, he said.

24

THE STUDENT PEACE CONFERENCE 2011
This year, big ambitions were made when the third Student Peace
Conference gathered all the laureates of The Student Peace Prize.
The heart of Europe was ready to be explored.
By Lene Oppheim Christensen and Guro Grytli Seim
The first stop on the ten day long journey was Paris
and Sciences Po, one of the most important universities
of Political Sciences in Europe. Both external speakers
and professors at the university were attending the
plenary session where every laureate told his or
her unique story. The laureates urged the audience
to help them in their struggle for peace, democracy
and human rights through lobbying, demonstrations
and raising awareness. The laureates saw this event
as a great opportunity to address their issues to the
European leaders of tomorrow.

Addressing Human Rights in Brussels
Human rights violations were one of the major
subjects at Sciences Po. This is a great challenge to all
the laureates in their homecountries. They all have a
need to address the violations and to be heard by the
world. For this reason, a visit to Amnesty International
was one of the highlights of the next stop; Brussels.
The dictatorship in Zimbabwe, the illiteracy of the
Roma people and the violations against students in
Colombia were discussed. The Amnesty staff actually
declared that they wanted to increase their work on
the conflict areas of the laureates. As a consequence,
ZINASU now hopefully will start cooperation with
Amnesty International in Harare.

Networking
The focus of the conference was not only to build
connections with external actors, but also to build
connections within the group and in this way make a
strong foundation for the Laureate Network.
- I’m really happy that we could agree on a political
platform and a work program. That works as a
guarantee for future work of the network, said Carlos
Mario Restrepo, President of ACEU (Association for
Colombian University Students).

One very important factor in the outcome of this work
was the social relations between the participants.
Common experiences as going to the Eiffel Tower
in Paris, going sightseeing and dancing in Brussels,
and ice skating in Oslo were important factors to
create a great conference and contribute to further
cooperation.

26

THE STUDENT PEACE PRIZE CEREMONY
A WONDERFUL RECOGNITION
Trondheim Symphony Orchestra opened the Student Peace Prize Ceremony 2011 in honor of
Duško Koštic Friday 18th of February. He received his prize to standing ovations.

By Marit Finnland Trøite to Koštic by emphasizing the importance of
education.
About 600 participants and volunteers of ISFiT joined - The key to fight injustice is education, and we
the torchlight procession from Samfundet, passing have to take it seriously like Duško has done, she
by the “Walk of Peace” in Jomfrugata, ending at said.
Olavshallen. The torches lit up people’s smiling faces,
while the church bells from Nidarosdomen created a Dedicated the Prize to His Parents
peaceful atmosphere. The Celtic Inspiration Dance Company performed
a lovely dance before the leader of the Student
Crystal Clear Winter Night Peace Prize Committee, Runar Myrnes Balto,
The mood was immediately set when Trondheim presented the Committee’s justification for
Symphony Orchestra opened the Student Peace awarding Duško Koštic the Student Peace Prize
Prize Ceremony 2011 with Verdi’s ”La Forza del of 2011.
Destino, Overture”. Immense music filled the hall
after ISFiT-participants, functionaries and prominent - Duško Koštic uses education to build bridges
guests had found their seats in Olavshallen. The stage and to break down stereotypes against the
was decorated as a cold, crystal clear winter night. Roma people, Balto said. Koštic received great
Beautiful decorations made of paper plates could applause and respect from the audience when
make one get lost in a dream. In this imaginary winter he entered the stage. Balto congratulated Koštic
night, real stars were sitting among the audience: all with the prize and the audience kept applauding
the previous laureates of the Student Peace Prize, as while he received the Student Peace Prize
well as the night’s main person, Duško Koštic. Statuette, which has the same design as the
memorial plates in Jomfrugata.
Head of the Secretariat of the Student Peace Prize, - I want to dedicate this award to my parents who
Eirik Vikum, encouraged the audience to tell everyone always told me to help and build bridges with
to bring Duško’s story with them. people rather than get in to conflicts, Koštic said
- I want you to pack him in your suitcase, take him to in his personal speech of thanks. He also talked
the breakfast table with your parents and bring him about future challenges for the Roma people. They
to lunch with your friends so everybody can get to feel as second-range citizens in most countries,
know him and his work for the Roma people’s rights, which make the integration with the rest of the
he said. society more difficult. Koštic ended his speech by
thanking for the wonderful recognition he and his
The host of the ceremony, Francois El-Safadi committed fellow colleagues in Eastern Croatia got. Therese
himself to Duško Koštic’s main issue by teaching the Aune’s lovely song and the falling snow on the
audience how to pronounce the laureate’s name. stage ended the Student Peace Prize Ceremony
Afghan Dr. Sima Samar also showed her support in honor of Duško Koštic perfectly.

27

ISFiT 2011 - final summary

Recomendados

Recomendados

Más contenido relacionado

Más de Francis D'Silva

Más de Francis D'Silva (16)

Último

Último (20)

ISFiT 2011 - final summary