NUS-USI celebrating 40th Birthday at Parliament Buildings

On Thursday 24 May an official reception is being held at Parliament Buildings to mark NUS-USI’s 40th birthday. The event will also see the official launch of the trilateral agreement between the National Union of Students (NUS), the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) and NUS-USI. The guest speakers include, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

Adrianne Peltz said:

“As we blow out the candles on our 40th birthday cake, we are reflecting on the positive impact that NUS-USI has had in affecting change in our political and social landscape over the past four decades.

“NUS-USI, as a North-South and East-West partnership organisation was, and continues to be, ahead of its time. We pioneered North-South co-operation and a shared approach long before the Anglo-Irish Agreement and long before parties here were talking about North/South co-operation in the Assembly. The trilateral Agreement which we’re launching at the event is extremely significant and cements long into the future the co-operation and partnership between the student movements of Northern Ireland, the rest of the UK and Ireland.

“As the saying goes, life begins at 40. NUS-USI has delivered many positive results for students and for wider society down the years. We have been a leader of change on tackling sectarianism and prejudice in all its forms, and our recent successes include getting tuition fees here frozen and our victory on exposing hidden higher education course costs through our Come Clean campaign.

“If we had one birthday wish, it would be to see greater fairness for all students, while we in Northern Ireland have had tuition fees frozen, other parts of the UK have not been so lucky. I believe NUS-USI has a very bright future and I am looking forward to the next 40 years of action and delivery for students”

President of USI, Gary Redmond, said:

“NUS-USI has a very proud and interesting history and has always been a key agent for positive change in Northern Ireland. The organisation has been at the forefront of many campaigns to deliver equality and fairness, and will I’m sure, continue to set the pace in the future.

“As head of one of the three partner organisations, USI, It gives me great pleasure to celebrate the 40th birthday of NUS-USI and cement the partnership and friendship that we have enjoyed for the past four decades long into the future. Cross-border co-operation is crucial to help the whole island of Ireland reach our economic potential and also to maintain the strong relationships that have helped build the sustainable peace which we all now enjoy.”

Liam Burns, NUS President said:

“This is the 90th year of NUS as well as NUS-USI’s 40th birthday, so this really is a historic year for the student movement. I am incredibly proud of both the history and genesis of NUS-USI. The partnership created and developed down the years has been crucial in helping build a shared and positive future for students across the island of Ireland.

“I wish to pay tribute to the student leaders of the past who had the vision to create NUS-USI, particularly considering the challenging environment of the time. As well as being a birthday celebration, this event also gives those who had a key role in laying the foundation stones of NUS-USI a chance to catch up, and to pass on their expertise and experiences to current student leaders.”