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Overseas Students Congress

by Bryony Hales

Overseas Students' Congresses are held every two years, traditionally at Curious Cove, but this year the 70 overseas and 15 Kiwi students spent the 5 days at Knocknagree Camp, west of Auckland, flanked by vineyards and orchards. As well as a change from the traditional site, there was a change from the traditional emphasis on Overseas students' welfare, to international affairs.

By the time I arrived from May Council, Congress, discussions, Radio 'K', cooking and eating were in full swing. During the day before I arrived, there had already been sessions on South America, Indochina, Malaysia/Singapore and showing of films, which was an indication of the pace and enthusiasm continued [unclear: through] the Congress. I have not felt such [unclear: liveliness] and warm community among students for a long time — even during the 'rest' day Radio K blared out news reports, Western and Chinese music, and continued weather reports, and discussion continued without the meeting structure, Apart from the regular sessions planned, and Radio K, there were planned and unplanned mealtimes and at times 3 bookstalls operating to occupy time.

I cannot comment on all the wide-ranging discussion helds on the South Pacific, religious traditions, South Africa etc. etc. The encouraging aspect of almost every discussion was the emphasis on change and how to work effectively for change. This was obvious in the session on aid, and government sponsorship of students, where the Columbo plan was discussed and also the NZ goverment's attitude to granting political asylum to students. In the session on religion, an argument developed between those who saw religion as an essential part of their culture, and those who saw religious traditions as reactionary, hindering the progress of their country.

The discussion on Maori politics showed sensitivity and solidarity towards the Maori people unusual among students, and similarly with the discussion of NZ 'aid' to the South Pacific and immigrant workers.

One of the most useful discussion for me, especially since I had come directly from an NZUSA council, was the session on student politics. A brief outline of NZUSA was given, and then discussion developed around the ideas of campus democracy and participation, in particular as it affects overseas students. There is always a conflict when working in student associations between seeking out contacts who will work in positions, and thereby fall into working in an elitist and undemocratic way, or relying on democratic procedures to get participation which often fails. Importance was seen in getting overseas students active socially on campus, which can lead into political activity. Victoria's International Evenings were seen as a good example of this, and similar ones may be set up on other campuses.

Every evening after the formal sessions, film showings continued until one or two a.m. to amazingly alert audiences.

One of the criticisms of Congress was that it was dominated by Malaysians and Singapore students, naturally enough since since probably 75% of those there were Malaysian or Singaporeans. This was felt particularly by the Fijian students, who stayed for the session on Fiji, prepared a hangi and then disappeared. This was a disappointing reaction (especially since one was sponsored by the VUWSA) and did not contribute constructively. The criticism should not be of those students who did attend Congress and by sheer weight of numbers, hard work and enthusiasm dominated it, but of those overseas and Kiwi students who felt no motivation to participate.

The change of emphasis from an Overseas Students Congress to an International Affairs Congress has also been criticised. Although I have no experience of former congresses to compare this one with, this Congress was a huge success in terms of enthusisastic participation in all ways — and also organisation, cooking, cleaning etc. — and also learning about other cultures and politics. The success[ of a Congress can be seen in terms of resolutions passed and follow-up action, but for me this is minimal. The real value of this Congress was in the contacts and friendships made, a deeper understanding of overseas students' backgrounds, difficulties and hopes, especially for the few Kiwi students who attended, and in the new enthusiasm for working among students encouraged by feedback at Congress.