Federation of Estonian Student Unions
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| Logo | |
| Office | Tallinn, Estonia |
| Founded in | 1991 |
| Members | 20 (+2 candidate members) |
| Working Language | Estonian |
| Chairperson | Eimar Veldre |
| Vice Chairs | Annika Kruuse (democracy and financing) Catlyn Kirna (educational policy) Maris Mälzer (social policy) |
Eesti Üliõpilaskondade Liit (EÜL) (formerly known as FESU) is a federation of Estonian student unions. It was founded on 23. November 1991, shortly after Estonia regained independence. EÜL as umbrella organization currently represents over 95% (64 460) of Estonian students.
EÜL’s main goal is to represent students’ interests on national level. Main issues being dealth with are student rights, educational and social issues. EÜL works closely together with Riigikogu (the parliament), the government, different ministries, higher education institutions and other partners. EÜL is also a leading NGO in Estonia and sometimes also represents students in schools, youth in general or just NGOs in different committees. EÜL is recognised as a partner by the Ministry of Education and Research.
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[edit] Structure
EÜL’s main decision body is the EÜL council where all of our member student bodies are represented. Currently EÜL has 20 members and 2 candidate members. There are 35 student bodies in Estonia. Membership to EÜL is voluntary for a student body but all Estonian students are automatically members of their HEI student body. There are no membership fees or special obligations for the students. EÜL council consists of 40-45 members at any given time. The council decides main future plans and policies, is in charge of the budget and elects the board and different committees. The council is elected by the local unions, all students of all members are eligible to be elected as member of the council or the board.
The board currently consists of 4 people – the chair person and 3 vice-chairs. The vice-chairs in 2007/2008 have following fields:
- social policy
- educational policy
- democracy and financing of higher education
The current board has a mandate of 15 months but all future boards will have a 12 month mandate (from 1st of July to 1st of July). The board is helped by a staff of 20 employees who work in the office every day and 3 committees who gather couple of times a year.
| 1991-1992 | Sulev Alajõe, Agu Vahur, Kaarel Tarand |
| 1992-1994 | Katrin Unt, Indrek Ild, Imre Sams, Indrek Ostrat |
| 1995-1996 | Meelis Kitsing, Arne Otter, Martti Kalda |
| 1996-1997 | Lauri Kööp, Lembit Uibo, Peeter Suislepp, Mare Tralla, Mart Rekkara |
| 1997-1998 | Peeter Suislepp, Lauri Kööp, Raul Järg, Leif Kalev |
| 1998-1999 | Riina Tamm, Leif Kalev, Raul Järg, Ivar Liivamägi, Riho Unt, Illimar Mattus |
| 2000 | Leif Kalev, Riho Unt, Rain Veetõusme, Tarvo Sarmet, Herman Kalmus |
| 2001 | Birgit Lao, Herman Kalmus, Lefi Kalev, Arne Otter, Alari Vainomees, Ardi Ravalepik |
| 2002 | Ando Heilmann, Piret Hartman, Antti Andreimann |
| 2003 | Piret Hartman, Madis Masing, Reigo Kimmel, Kerli Albin, Kairi Saar |
| 2004 | Madis Masing, Allan Selirand, Lauri Paeveer |
| 2005 | Allan Selirand, Eveli Soode, Lauri Paeveer |
| 2006-2007 | Heiki Lemba, Ivar Veskioja, Marja-Liisa Alop |
| 2007-2008 | Eimar Veldre, Annika Kruuse, Catlyn Kirna, Maris Mälzer |
[edit] Other activities
EÜL also distributes the International Student Identity Card which is an identity card for students, teachers and youth in general. The ISIC card is the main source of revenue for EÜL.
EÜL also finances and publishes the national student newspaper Üliõpilasleht, owns work-study programs’ coordinator Traktor Travel and organises student days in Tallinn.
[edit] Memberships
EÜL is a member of Nordiskt Ordförande Möte (NOM), European Students' Union (ESU) and Network of Estonian Non-profit Organisations (EMSL).
