This print edition is focusing a lot more on local politics, so if you’re wanting to get involved in politics, explore the political spectrum, attend rallies and demonstrations, or just find out what you can do to benefit Stirling, keep reading! You might be interested in any of these student-run political societies! (Before anyone gets on at us for bias, yes there’s only left-wing societies. That’s not Brig partisan, no one has made a right-wing one since the disappearance of the Tory Society).
Amnesty International:
Stirling’s Amnesty International Society has a local and global focus on human rights, as a sect of the much bigger Amnesty International Organisation. They’ve organised sign-making workshops for protests, attending pro-Palestine marches and showing solidarity with the national lecturers’ union, the UCU. They meet on Tuesdays at 6pm.
Global Justice Stirling:
Global Justice Stirling are part of the national organisation Global Justice Now that fight for “social and economic justice”. Their main values including climate justice, an accessible global vaccine, healthcare and equality for all, and unity as a whole. Their most recent actions include attending multiple pro-Palestine protests, as well as holding public meetings back in November to attempt to stop the expansion of oil drilling in the North Sea. Their meetings are Mondays at 6pm in C.2B148, and if you’re interested in joining the fight for equality and environmental justice, go try it out!
Middle Eastern North African Society (MENA):
Whilst not an officially political group, MENA has been doing fantastic work partnered with Islamic Relief to raise money for and awareness of the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. They recently held a dinner and auction to raise funds for Islamic Relief, which since 7 October, has sent over £6 million worth of aid to Gaza. They also frequently attend pro-Palestine marches. As well as their political activities, they host weekly study sessions on Monday nights 6-10pm in C.2A19, and all nationalities are welcome to their meetings.
Scottish Socialist Youth (SSY):
Stirling’s branch of the Scottish Socialist Youth have campaigned in the past for a harm-reduction approach to drugs (such as drug testing kits being available to students, to test your drugs, not you), as well as for better buses and better mental health services at the uni (2nd-4th years will remember how atrocious the UL was last year). Nationally, the group advocates for an “independent, socialist republic of Scotland, free from the constraints of Westminster liberal democracy and the oppression of the world capitalist system.” They meet at 7pm on Wednesdays in C.2B84.
Student Action for Refugees (STAR):
Doing what it says on the tin, STAR works to welcome refugees to Scotland, raising £855.30 last semester for Forth Valley Welcome, a local sanctuary for refugees. “We are a wee society, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have big ambitions!” they said. They also organised an open letter to Stirling’s local MP, Alyn Smith (SNP) to call for the scrapping of the Illegal Immigration Bill last year. They meet on Tuesdays at 7pm. As well as this, they are currently trying to arrange a concert to campaign for better Sanctuary Scholarships, which are used to help refugee and asylum seeker students in a cost-of-living crisis. Their coordinator, Laila, explained: “Everybody has the right to an education, so with this event, we are wanting to take a step to improving the Sanctuary Scholarships!”
Total Liberation Stirling:
Total Liberation Stirling is a leftist organisation that focuses on the liberation of all marginalised groups, extending to animals as well as humans. It’s main activities recently involve calling out the university’s “cruel tests” in its aquaculture department, that, in their words, aim to “make marine life easier to exploit for human consumption”. They are also campaigning to “support Palestine Solidarity politics” and are working with the SSY to support their Get to the Point campaign. They meet on Thursdays at 6:30.
In addition, the university has student groups of both Labour and the SNP, both of which campaign for their parties, so if you’re interested in getting involved in UK politics, this is an election year! (Both were approached for comment but did not respond). Now would be the best time to join, with Labour meeting every Thursday at 6:30pm in C.2V2, and the SNP (better known as the Stirling University Scottish Nationalist Association, or SUSNA), meeting monthly for general meetings.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels, LT Chan
4th year Politics and Journalism student.
Secretary for Brig
The Herald Student Press Awards Columnist Of The Year 2024 (which sorry i’m still not over)
