What is the Student World Assembly (SWA)?
The Student World Assembly is a non-governmental, non-partisan, organization created to represent students in the same manner as the United Nations represents governments. It provides a deliberative assembly where students around the world can exchange views and vote on global issues through on-line discussion forums and annual international conventions. Top

What does the SWA do?
The Student World Assembly provides its members the opportunity to experience the democratic process, to propose and discuss issues, elect representatives or campaign to be one, and utilize the Internet as a primary source of communication. SWA endeavors to give a voice to people around the world, creating a medium through which all may respectfully express their views, discuss issues, and vote on the issues that effect the global community. While the Student World Assembly is independent of any political, ideological or religious affiliations, the hope is that the voice of the people will be heard and responded to by the authority of the governments.Top

How does the democratic process work?
Each member of the SWA is given the opportunity to hear and be heard through the discussion forum on the website. The general membership votes biannually on issues that will be considered at the international convention. This occurs online so that anyone anywhere can log in to vote during a two-week period. Since not everyone can attend the international convention, the SWA has established a system of proxy voting. Non-attending members can elect a delegate from anywhere in the world to submit his or her vote at the convention. Delegates vote once for themselves and once for each of their proxies. Top

What is the SWA’s role in world affairs?
The SWA aims to have a peaceful and active role in world affairs. It provides a medium through which the voice of students can influence governments on issues of global significance. Top

How is SWA different from other human rights and peace organizations?
SWA is a student-run organization that focuses on the practice of global democracy. Student members engage in the democratic process through issue identification, dialogue, campaigning and representation, and an online voting process. In the SWA, every member is provided the opportunity to speak his or her opinion, and to help educate each other from every part of the world.Top

Is the SWA affiliated with any political or religious group?
No. SWA has no political, religious or other affiliations, and it is privately funded. Top

What kind of issues does SWA address?
The SWA addresses issues of global significance. Top

How do I register?
You can register by clicking here. After you have submitted your information, please allow 48 hours for staff to set up a username and password for you to access the discussion forums. Top

Why does it take so long to get my username and password?
At this time, member information must be entered manually.  Our technical staff is working to refine and shorten the process. Top

Do I have to pay membership dues?
No.  The SWA is funded by donations from its members and supporters around the world.  Chapters may wish to charge dues locally to help with administrative expenses.  Top

What are the benefits of being a member?
There are many benefits to being a member of SWA:

Globally, SWA offers the opportunity to engage in activism for human rights and other global issues, and to research and discuss intellectually challenging topics that are crucial to the well-being of mankind.

Socially, SWA members can utilize events to network with others, both personally and professionally, in addiction to learning about the diverse cultures of the world.

Personal benefits include post-secondary scholarships, résumé building, and a growing access to resources and information related to individual topics of interest.  Top

Does SWA provide links for research that I can use in my college work?
The Educational Links on the website provide a variety of credible resources that may be helpful when researching topics related to the issues selected by the general membership. Top

Is SWA literature available in languages other than English?
Unfortunately, literature in languages other than English is not available at this time. The Membership & Outreach Committee is working with staff to address this issue. As SWA literature is produced in other languages, it will be made available to the general membership. Top

Is there a chapter on my campus?
Check with the Student Activities Office at your school.  If there is a chapter, they will have it listed, and can give you contact information. Top

How can I start a chapter?
Click here to see the web page that details the necessary steps to establish a new chapter. If you wish to contact the SWA, you may send an email to info@studentworldassembly.org.  Top

What are the expectations of chapter participation?
Chapters are expected to function as satellites of the SWA organization.  Chapters are given much opportunity to determine their own courses of action on local and regional levels.  It is necessary that all courses of action relate to the issues officially recognized by SWA and reflect the organization's mission statement.  Top

What is a regional event?
A regional event is an opportunity for schools in the same area to socialize and engage in dialogue over the issues of SWA.  Chapters may wish to join together to address local issues as well. Top

My chapter wants to hold a regional event.  Who do I contact for help?
Please send an email to the Program Development Coordinator at lauren@studentworldassembly.org  Top

I have a concern / question / suggestion for SWA.  Who can I contact?
Please send an email to info@studentworldassembly.org.  Your email will then be forwarded to the appropriate staff member. Top

How can I  get involved in SWA activities?
There are several ways an SWA member can get involved.  Log in to the discussion forums and give your opinion on the current issues.  Join the letter-writing campaigns or sign the online petition. Get in touch with your local SWA chapter and get involved with local activities.  If you don't have a chapter at your school, start one!  Request a Chapter Start-Up Kit through the website.  Top

What is the Issue Selection Process?
The Issue Selection Process occurs biannually.  Members are given the opportunity to propose an issue of global significance.  The two issues selected from this process are then discussed and voted on by delegates at the international convention. Top

How are the issues selected?
Members log in to the discussion forums to submit an issue of global significance in five words or less.  Following this, members engage in a dialogue over the possible positions they feel SWA should take on each issue.  The top two issues are determined by the number of times the issue is submitted.  (If 20 members submit poverty as an issue, and 10 members submit education, then poverty would become the top issue for discussion.)  Top

How do I log in to the discussion forums?
From the SWA homepage, click on "Discussion Forums" on the horizontal menu bar.  This will take you to the login page for "Blackboard." Click the login link and enter your SWA username and password.  Next click on "Student World Assembly" under "My Courses."  From here, you can click on "Discussion Forums," "Educational Links," "Articles," or "Issue Identification" depending on the intent of your visit.  Top

What if my username and password don't work?
Please send an email to support@studentworldassembly.org stating your difficulty.  Top

How do I post a message?
Log in to the "Discussion Forums."  Click on the discussion you wish to join.  Click "Add New Thread" at the top of the page.  Enter what you wish to say and click "Submit" at the bottom of the page.  Top

What does it mean to deliberate an issue?
To deliberate means to discuss an issue and to consider it from multiple points of view.  During deliberation, a number of views are presented and members are asked to consider the benefits and faults of each view.  Members are then asked to vote on the issue they feel is of greatest significance.  Top

How do I find more information on the issues being discussed?
The easiest way to get the most updated information on topics is to do an internet search.  Other ways of researching these topics include finding recently published books written by credited authors, academic and scholarly journals, and news-related resources.  Top

Does my vote really matter?
The more people that vote on an issue, the greater the influence the SWA may have on the decisions of governments around the world. Top

What happens after a topic is accepted by the general membership?
The general membership will decide this in the same way the issue was discussed.  Members will present alternative courses of action they would like to see the SWA pursue.  Stances on issues and the courses of action are determined at each international convention.  The types of action will depend on the topic.  For instance, some issues might be referred to organizations such as Amnesty International for further action.  Others might involve collecting signatures and submitting a petition to the United Nations or other government agencies.  In most cases, the press will be kept informed.   Top

What happens to the topics that are voted out?
It is possible that topics voted out the previous year will turn up on the ballots again the next year.  There are many important issues that need to be addressed.  The SWA will take on only two per year.  This is to encourage diligent research and meaningful discussion of each issue that is presented.  Knowledge is necessary to decide how best to take care of this world.  Top

What is the International Convention?
International Convention
Every year the International Convention is hosted by a different college or university.  At the convention, delegates hear expert testimony on the selected issues.  They then vote to adopt resolutions that determine the stance and courses of action the SWA will take for the upcoming year.

All members are invited to attend the convention.
Each member is subject to his or her country's rules and regulations regarding visas and travel abroad.  There is also a fee for attending, in addition to travel and accommodations.  Additional up-to-date information can be found the main page of the website.

Delegates & Proxy Voting
Members who cannot attend are encouraged to designate their vote to the delegate who most represents their views.  When delegates vote at the convention, they cast one vote for themselves and one for each of the proxies they have received.  This allows all members to have a voice in the deliberations.

International Committees
There are three international committees that establish the guidelines and procedures for SWA activities: Issues & Campaigns, Convention & Event Planning, and Membership & Outreach.  Each delegate serves on one committee for the upcoming year.

International Officers
The assembly speaker and vice speaker are elected through online voting by the general membership immediately prior to the convention.  They oversee the activities of the international committees for the upcoming year.  Committee chairs are elected by committee members and oversee the business of the committee for the upcoming year.   Top

How do I become a delegate?
First you need to put together a statement discussing your views on a particular topic of topics.  This will be posted to the website with your picture so members can review your statement.  If anyone agrees strongly with your views and wishes to have you represent them at the international convention, they have the option to "elect" you as their delegate. Top

How do I vote for a delegate?
Read through the views of each delegate and elect one who best represents your views.  The delegate you select should have the same or similar point of view as you on the issues being discussed.  Follow the links to submit your vote.  Top

What is a letter writing campaign?
A letter writing campaign is an appeal to an authority (government, politician or corporation) to take action in support of human rights and the global community.  This is a peaceful action to spread awareness of the destructive acts affecting the world. Top

Is there any danger in sending letters to governments and/or other authorities?
Letters are simple requests to authorities to give further attention to the abuse of human rights, environment, etc.  If the SWA feels that any danger may arise from a particular action, it will not be executed.  The SWA endeavors to peacefully act on all issues that are addressed.  Top

What should I do if the targeted government/authority is in my country?
Your safety comes first.  If you feel that participation in certain SWA actions will put you in danger, do not participate.  You know best what is safe and effective in your part of the world.  Use your best judgment, and find creative ways to act without putting yourself in danger.  Let SWA staff know your concerns. Top