National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) Campaign: Change the course - Make a promise for education (in Finnish #Koulutuslupaus)

Change the course - Make a promise for education (in Finnish #Koulutuslupaus) The campaign took place before parliamentary elections in April 2015 and after that during the government programme negotiations. Students in Finland were concerned about continual cuts in education and student aid. Also they were worried about tuition fees and what happens to student health care during the planned healthcare reform. We knew what the prime minister party would be but not what kind of coalition they would construct. It was also clear that we could not present new demands for students since the budget would be tight and we wanted the campaign stay positive and be reciprocal. The campaign was national and all the local student unions were involved - both on SYL's and SAMOK's side.

Materials used Lobbying materials and papers for candidates and key people in parties (MP's, MEP's, youth and students leagues etc) Social Media: We contacted candidates who were running for Parliament and asked them to give a #koulutuslupaus. We had 4 promises and candidate could give one ore more. The promise was given by taking a picture and sharing it via social media using #koulutuslupaus. Calling the candidates and asking how they feel about students goals. SYL, SAMOK and the student unions contacted in total 1083 candidates; 73 % of parliamentary parties’ candidates.

Materials used Results were encouraging: 85% of candidates would  expand student health care for students in University of Applied Sciences, 88% of candidates would keep the student aid as it is, 57% candidates would keep the education free for all and 93% for domestic and EU/ETA students. 92% of candidates that we contacted would not cut the education including future prime minister and minister of finance. Government programme negotiations: Constant presence at the location and lobbying the parties involved (Key people – party leadership, alumni, other contacts)

Campaign Messages "The cornerstones of the Finnish society are our high competence and our internationally renowned education system. By investing in education we are investing in the future of Finland. Change the course of Finland, make a promise for education.” 1) Education is free Free education for all guarantees equality and a blooming economy. High-quality education provides the basis for Finland's economic growth and equal society. Free education makes it possible to develop students' competence and education, regardless of their nationality or background.

Campaign Messages This guarantees that our small country can fully harness all the available potential. This is necessary in order to strengthen international competitiveness, because in the competition between developed OECD countries a high level of education is a central factor explaining differences in economic growth. In a fair Finland, education is a right, not a privilege. Free education is the best way to guarantee everyone equal opportunities to study. The opportunities for education should not be based on an individual's background or wealth. Free education is the best possible investment from the point of view of both the economy and equality. 2) Extending the The Finnish Students' Health Service (FSHS) to include all university students will guarantee the healthy workers of tomorrow A good ability to study promotes learning and progress in one's studies, and it creates a basis for a future ability to work. Today's student with a good ability to study is tomorrow's healthy and able worker. Healthy students promise long careers.  

Campaign Messages Over half of students have health problems which affect the progress of their studies. That's why we need to invest in student health care. The Finnish Students' Health Service (FSHS) has expertise on student health, it offers high quality student health care as required by law, and the students are happy with its services. The FSHS's prerequisites must be guaranteed when reforms are carried out on the structure and funding of health care. The FSHS must also be extended to include students in universities of applied sciences, as their current health services are badly lacking. This way all students will be in an equal position of being offered good health care.

Campaign Messages 3) The financial aid for students will not be weakened Let's give students a chance to focus on their studies instead of weakening their financial aid The road of cutting down the financial aid for students has come to an end. Now it is time to turn our eyes on universities and those systems that support students to complete their studies: flexible study methods, the possibility to study all year round, and good student guidance. Now is no longer the time to weaken the students' livelihood, but rather to give them a chance to do their job – studying and graduating.  Finland is the only Nordic country where the costs related to having children aren't taken into consideration in the financial aid for students. 60% of students with children live in relative poverty. Finland needs to improve the situation of students with children by restoring the child allowance in the financial aid for students.

Campaign Messages 4) Guarantee the Finnish success story – don't make cuts to education. The current government has made hundreds of millions of euros worth of cuts to education. Universities and students have been living with constant saving measures and insecurity. The time for cuts is now over. Let's not break the legs of Finland's future by making cuts to education. Research shows that education is the factor that produces the most welfare and economic growth. The knowledge needed to create innovations and meet future needs can only be produced through high-quality higher education with sufficient resources. Innovations create economic growth, welfare and work. This way we look after our international competitiveness and lift Finland back on its feet from the swamp that we have sunk into.

Results The government let students down big time: The Government Programme included huge 150 million euro cuts to student financial aid and it proposes to completely remove the index binding. This entails was 20 per cent cut in the current budget for student financial aid. We have managed to cut them down for a bit and target the aid for those who most need it. The government introduced obligatory tuition fees for non-EU/ETA students in higher education starting fall 2017. The government also cut nearly 600 million euros  from higher education and research. We are still waiting for the decisions on student health care. Even though the goals of the campaign were not achieved the campaign and its photos with politicians giving a promise for education became a symbol for betrayed election promises that are not extraordinary in Finland - this time the scale was enormous. Even today the hashtag is used and we are discussing how government let all voters down.