ISFiT is the world’s largest thematic student festival, and in 2011 the main theme is Global Health. When the festival is arranged for the 10th time in February, students from all over the world will gather in Trondheim to discuss challenges and solutions. We invite you to take part in the ISFiT experience – read more at www.isfit.org.
Today’s students are the leaders of tomorrow, and ISFiT is a meeting place that aims to inspire international cooperation. By gathering students with vastly different cultural, social and academic backgrounds we are able to discuss and debate global health from new perspectives, and can find new solutions together. We believe that we as students have a unique opportunity to make a difference through our young perspectives, our knowledge and creativity.
ISFiT is arranged every other year and has grown to include over 450 participants from more than 100 countries in 2009. It is fully non-profit, and is run by more than 400 local student volunteers.
Health
The main topic for ISFiT 2011 is Global Health, a subject covering a wide range of political, cultural, economic and security factors. Everybody can relate to health, as all people have health, and this concerns both mental and physical aspects. Health is not only a specific feature of single individuals, but is also affected, and in some cases determined, by the health of others.
One example is the global distribution of food and medicines. Focusing on the international dimension of health issues, ISFiT wishes to highlight both the challenges and the opportunities different parts of the world are facing – both today and in the future. A central question for the festival is what role students can, and should, play in dealing with these issues.
The idea
In 1989, as the Berlin Wall was torn down, a group of students in Trondheim, Norway, asked: “What can we, as students, do for the world?”. These words were the seeds that grew to become a thematic festival for and by students. The title of the first ISFiT in 1990 was A changing Europe, and the visionary organizers booked two trains for the participants, one from Paris in the West and one from Budapest in the East. The trains met in Copenhagen, Denmark, and here students from both sides of the Iron Curtain spoke to one another for the first time, and took the trip to Trondheim together.
ISFiT has a proud history of hosting world famous leaders. Three Nobel Peace Prize Laureates visited the 2009 festival: Desmond Tutu, Shirin Ebadi and Betty Williams. Other prominent former guests include among others His Holiness Dalai Lama and former General Secretary of the World Health Organization, Gro Harlem Brundtland. Inspirational speakers will be invited to ISFiT 2011 to share perspectives on global health, and participants are as always encouraged to interact with the guests.
The method
ISFiT participants take part in workshops and dialogue groups. This way the participants work and learn together, exploring the festival theme from different angles. While the workshops focus on various aspects of the main topic, the Dialogue Groups have a slightly different agenda. The Dialogue Groups gather students from different sides of conflicts to meet on equal grounds in a neutral environment. Our experience is that mutual understanding and friendship can develop through dialogue and social activities.
The workshops are held at daytime, and in the evening ISFiT offers a variety of cultural events. ISFiT hosts exhibitions, shows and concerts at various venues in Trondheim with free entrance. In addition, plenary sessions with prominent speakers address different aspects of the theme.
Apply now
For ISFiT 2011 to be a success, we need motivated participants from all over the world to apply to our workshops and the Dialogue Groups. Take part in this life-changing experience – find more information about ISFiT and how to apply at www.isfit.org.