On 30th November 2007, the first national student network for Climate Change, the Student Climate Project, will be launched in Oxford, as a supportive resource for student campaigns. The gathering will be an opportunity to discuss how to mobilize mass student action while sustaining a radically minded campaign.

“The new ideas that young people can bring to the movement are key to the project’s progress. Having the networks, resources and structures to support student involvement is vital,” says Rebecca Quinn, one of the co-ordinators of the launch. “We are trying to avoid creating internal hierarchies. We want everyone to have equal importance and it is an exciting time to get involved.”

The project was formed out of discussions held at the Camp For Climate Action at Heathrow this summer. The Camp was the biggest and most widely received anti-climate change event on record but it was agreed that there were not as many students present as there might have been. “There is a real need for a resource like this, because activism and campaigning are challenging. Many people feel that an active student movement against Climate Change needs to be established,” says Rebecca. The idea of a shared resource network is to enable individuals to work autonomously but still have a sense of cohesion.

The launch weekend is expected to bring about clear plans for action and a strategy for the integral role students can play in the fight against Climate Change. It will also include an opportunity to gain advice from well known climate experts, who will be present as guest speakers. The event will be an invaluable opportunity to socialise, share ideas and reflect.

“The Student Climate Project will put student activism where it historically belongs: at the forefront of all major social struggles,” says Rebecca. “I think to become a recognised supportive body within student campaigning, where the needs of individuals are met, is something to work towards… beyond this, it’s up to everyone who comes to the meeting.”

Contact: www​.studentclimateproject​.org​.uk