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Ivoirian students exchanging in a DVC with their American Counterparts (Photo: Soro Yacouba/US Embassy)

Ivoirian Students and their American counterparts Share on How an Effective Student Group Works

One of the American Embassy’s most innovative programs during its International Education Week was a DVC that brought together 40 representatives from six Ivorian student unions with two student government leaders from the American University of Paris.

The discussion was led by Mitch Conquer and Corinne Amani, who spoke about their efforts to improve student life on campus, maintain high academic standards, and enact positive and peaceful change on their campuses. The program offered Ivorian participants the opportunity to detail their own experiences, and discussion topics included relations with the faculty, fundraising, job placement after graduation, AIDS awareness campaigns, student strikes, using student unions as political action committees, and management of both students and funds.

Many Ivorian students expressed some interest in the American model of student government and activities in the American strain including volunteerism and campus orientation activities.