Equal Access, Equal Dignity: Addressing Institutional Barriers Faced by International Students at EUPeace Universities
Type: Information session, panel discussion, and participatory workshop
Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Format: Hybrid (on-site at Çukurova University + online participation)
This student-led event aims to address institutionalized inequality of opportunity faced by international students within higher education, with a specific focus on structural barriers experienced at EUPeace Universities and comparable European institutions. While international students contribute fully to academic and social life, they often encounter unequal access to housing, employment, financial aid, and decision-making structures due to policy, administrative, and legal frameworks.
The event will begin with an information session led by representatives from the International Students Office, the Erasmus Office, and EUPeace, providing an overview of existing support mechanisms, legal constraints, and institutional responsibilities. This session is designed to ensure an informed, transparent, and realistic discussion.
The second part consists of a panel discussion bringing together student country representatives, international students, institutional actors, and civil society representatives working on human rights and equality. Panelists will discuss concrete examples of institutional barriers, such as language barriers with personnel, and limited access to scholarships and career opportunities. The discussion will highlight how these structures affect students academic success, well-being, and sense of belonging.
The final segment is a participatory action workshop. Participants will work in mixed groups to identify key challenges, map responsible actors, and co-create short- and medium-term recommendations that are realistic within institutional and policy constraints. The event will conclude with the presentation of a student-led action plan, which will be shared with university stakeholders and the EUPeace Alliance.
The event will actively involve students from other EUPeace partner universities through online participation. Student representatives from different countries will be invited to share comparative experiences regarding access to housing, employment, and institutional support. This cross-university exchange will highlight similarities and differences across national contexts and promote mutual learning.
Remote participants will join the panel discussion and action workshop via online platforms, using interactive tools such as live polls and breakout rooms. This collaboration strengthens inter-university connections, reinforces the European dimension of the initiative, and supports the development of shared recommendations that can be adapted across the EUPeace Alliance.
