Advocacy

TaiYo works towards art students better future and daily life

TaiYo has the strongest voice as a art student community in Finland. ToiYo has a main task and that is to look after for the students in University of Arts Helsinki. That includes active advocacy work for student rights, students wellbeing and student benefits in our university and also in the national level.. 

The Student Union's mission has also been worded in section 46 of the Finnish Universities Act: 

The Student Union's purpose is to be a unifying link for its members and to promote their societal, social, intellectual and study-related ambitions and aspirations related to the role of students in society.

The voice of student in University of Arts Helsinki

TaiYo does continuous advocacy work within Uniarts Helsinki by regularly meeting with the university's head and administration, actively following current events, taking a stand and issuing official statements if necessary, participating in various administrative bodies, listening to student feedback and informing students about current affairs.

Practical lobbying work is carried out weekly by TaiYo's employees and Board, who e.g. meet with university management and study administration on a regular basis, keep contact with other relevant parties, resolve problem situations, take a stand on current issues on behalf of the student union, and take forward wishes and initiatives from students. TaiYo’s Representative Council, which meets a few times a year, in turn discusses current issues at a more general level and decides on larger guidelines, e.g. about the direction TaiYo wants to develop the university.

In addition, participation in the activities of the various administrative bodies of the university and its academies is an important part of the protection of students’ interests. In all the relevant decision-making bodies of Uniarts Helsinki, from the university board and academy boards to teaching staff recruitment groups and various development groups, there are TaiYo-elected student representatives (“hallopeds”), who advance students’ perspectives and positions in the university’s decision-making. More information on the student representatives can be found here.

The voice of artstudents in Finland

TaiYo also promotes the cause and well-being of students on a national level by being an active member of the National Union of Student Unions in Finland (SYL), which is a national advocacy organization that represents all of Finland's approximately 130,000 university students.

In local issues, TaiYo works in the World Student Capital ry, a co-operation organization of student unions in the Helsinki metropolitan area, and in issues related to the art scene, TaiYo co-operates with various actors in the arts and culture sector. In addition to these, TaiYo has a representative in the administration of the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) and the Foundation for student housing in the Helsinki region (Hoas).

Do you want to make a difference?

The best way to influence study conditions and the Uniarts Helsinki community is to boldly bring up any shortcomings and suggestions for improvement – contact for example TaiYo's työntekijöihin or a member of the Student Union Board you know!

You should also consider whether you would like to take part in TaiYo's activities, either in one of the student union’s positions of trust or as a student representative in the university administration - read more here!