The International Students for Social Equality (ISSE) is the student organization of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and the International Committee of the Fourth International, an international Trotskyist organization. Launched in 2006, the ISSE aims to build an international socialist movement of students and workers opposing militarist violence, social inequality and attacks on democratic rights. The ISSE continues the work of its predecessor the Students for Social Equality, with student clubs at Universities and High Schools worldwide.
Chapters of the ISSE hold regular meetings to educate students on Marxism and Socialism and to debate and discuss contemporary political issues. In February 2007 a German chapter of the ISSE held a meeting at the Technical University of Berlin to discuss the US war plans against Iran,[1] and an Australian chapter of the ISSE intervened in meeting held at the University of New South Wales.[2]
On March 31 and April 1, 2007, the ISSE and the SEP held an international conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan opposing the war in Iraq and a potential war with Iran.[3] Those attending the conference voted unanimously for the conference resolution.[4] The resolution adopted connects the expansion of US militarism, attacks on democratic rights, and the growth of social inequality within the US with the declining economic position of the US internationally. The resolution points to the capitalist nation-state system as the root cause of war and outlines the need for an international socialist movement to oppose war.
"[When] governments in Syria and Libya... crack down on their peaceful protesters we call for intervention. The hypocrisy of the ruling class in this country has been made so clear... What we really need is a political alternative to the two big business parties. That`s why I`m a member of the International Students for Social Equality"
ISSE members have been invited as representatives of third party, independent or socialist perspectives on political panels,<re>"Third Party Perspectives, Economic Crisis," US Fed News, 23 April 2009.</ref> with ISSE members reaching news headlines during the recent "Occupy protests" in which students have been attacked or maced by police.[6] The ISSE has also hosted academic or intellectual events that have received broader attention; in November 2010 the Berlin branch of the German ISSE hosted a public lecture by historian Alexander Rabinowitch, on the subject of The Russian Revolution suggesting renewed interest in the historical event.[7]
The Sri Lankan ISSE has received attention from major papers in Sri Lanka for its organization of students, workers, and contributions to election campaigns.[8][9] The Sri Lankan ISSE has sought to defend students' and workers' rights, and in so doing has opposed Tamil and Sinhalese ethnic divisions within the country.[10][11]