Denmark – DSF – National Union of Students in Denmark

DSF is the largest organisation for students in higher education in Denmark. The union has 18 member organisations (student councils) and through these, DSF represents approximately 150.000 students. The members work for the conditions of individual member institutions, whereas DSF works for the students at a national level.

DSF has an Executive Committee of five elected representatives: one president, two vice-presidents, one person responsible for the economic board and one international officer.

There are two other standing committees in DSF. a Social Affairs Committee – that handles issues concerning the social social conditions for students in Denmark – and an Academic Affairs Committee – that works with all other issues concerning higher education in Denmark. In addition to these two committees, there is an International Group of volunteers that work on international affairs along with the international officer.

History

DSF was founded in 1932 as the umbrella organisation for all student councils at universities in Denmark.  The organisation has had various structures, but throughout most times the two councils, the Council for Academic Affairs and the Council for Social Affairs, have been at the centre of policy-making in the union. DSF has founded and co-founded many, now independent, networks and organisations in Denmark and the world, among others the Danish NGO Ibis, the ISIC card, Kilroy travels, Nordisk Orförende Møte (NOM) and Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS).

Mission and vision

DSF is working for equal access to education, free education, sufficient study grants, student housing, employability of students and students’ participation. Our aim is that their studies prepare students for work life and life in civil society and we believe that higher education is an advantage both for the individual and for society as a whole. We work as an interest organisation, the voice of the students, and we do this as a part of a national and international movement of students of all kinds.