The Medical students want to improve in equality. That is why the Faculty of Medicine have chosen to create a committee to deal with these issues within the programme.
Last spring, the board at Medicinska föreningen in the Faculty of Medicine Student Union was assigned laying out a proposal for a new committee, with the purpose of highlighting equality problems in educational matters.
Said and done. In collaboration with interested members, a proposal was made, and two weeks ago, the association’s new committee for equality and equal treatment issues was created.
Test period of a year
The committee will commence its work at the start of 2016 and then keep on going for a year. Until then, representatives from each programme within Medicinska föreningen will be elected.
“The committee will have a test period for a year. After that, the council will evaluate its work in order to ensure the best possible committee”, Tillie Johansson says.
The committee is the result of an initiative from students of the association. Last spring, several students suggested that a feminist committee should be created – a suggestion that was then developed.
“The council restructured the proposition to a broader committee, a committee for equality and equal treatment. But from the start, the desire and request for such a committee came from the students”, Tillie Johansson continues.
A platform for student discussions
The initial task of the committee is to put the spotlight on equality issues within the programme. It is meant to give the students a forum for discussion and problematisation of these issues – a platform for development, increased awareness and mutual dialogue.
Cecilia Skoug, chairperson at Lund University Student Unions Association, welcomes the effort from Medicinska föreningen.
“Generally speaking, there is definitely a lack of focus on these issues. There is a need to inspect programmes and pay attention to issues about equality and equal treatment. This is something that everyone in the University needs to be better at”, Cecilia Skoug says.
On how to work with these issues and reach students in a tangible way, she especially mentions the role and work of the unions.
“Students can get in touch with their union on equal treatment and equality in their education. But we definitely need to reach even more students with these issues”, she says.
Tillie Johansson also stresses that contact with students and availability is a part of the committee for equality and equal treatment.
“We want to increase availability to events held by the committee. Everyone should feel included. It is important to adapt meeting times and such, especially considering students’ various family situations, because it leads to an improvement in inclusion and equality”, she says.
Translation: Carl-William Ersgård
