{"id":4439,"date":"2016-04-05T12:34:57","date_gmt":"2016-04-05T11:34:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2016\/04\/05\/bussemaker-studenten-kunnen-verschil-maken-in-referendum\/"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:22:15","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:22:15","slug":"bussemaker-studenten-kunnen-verschil-maken-in-referendum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2016\/04\/05\/bussemaker-studenten-kunnen-verschil-maken-in-referendum\/","title":{"rendered":"Bussemaker: \u2018Students can make the difference in referendum\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/figure>

\u201cIn the ongoing tide of trade and political reforms, social collaboration between all kinds of institutions will also emerge, and this includes higher education. If you don\u2019t want all that, you should vote \u2018no\u2019 in the referendum.\u201d<\/p>\n

Minister of Education Jet Bussemaker believes students could be pivotal in the referendum on the association treaty with Ukraine. The PvdA minister hopes they all cast their vote, and preferably in favour of the treaty.<\/p>\n

\u201cDemocracy is a precious asset and in Ukraine they know all about its value\u201d, says Bussemaker in an interview with the Higher Education Press Office. That\u2019s why she wants all students to go to the ballot box<\/a> on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Is the referendum important enough for students?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThere are six-hundred thousand students. I would say to them that together they can make the difference between yes and no. If you feel solidarity with students and people of your age in Ukraine, then it\u2019s logical that you vote for the treaty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Do we know enough to make an informed choice when voting on such a complicated treaty?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThere are voting aids such as vote match, extensive write-ups in newspapers\u2026but the gist of it is simple: it\u2019s about international trade and cooperation. You really don\u2019t need to know all the ins and outs to be in favour of the treaty. The treaty isn\u2019t about membership in the European Union.\u201d<\/p>\n

Do you believe higher education will be affected by the agreement in any way?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe agreement could lead to new forms of collaboration. It won\u2019t happen all at once but it remains interesting for niches. Eastern European countries are strong in mathematics and physics, for example. And perhaps Slavic languages as well. The treaty could bring added value for some scientists. Additionally, it will make it easier for Ukrainian students to come here and study. That\u2019s meaningful for our students as well. It\u2019s enriching for all involved when different cultures meet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Are many students expected to come from Ukraine to The Netherlands?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a time when we had a lot of Russian students, and they are still here. So why wouldn\u2019t students from Ukraine want to come here? In the ongoing tide of trade and political reforms, social collaboration between all kinds of institutions will also emerge, and this includes higher education. If you don\u2019t <\/em>want all that, you should vote \u2018no\u2019 in the referendum. Otherwise, vote for<\/em> the treaty.\u201d<\/p>\n

What do students think about the referendum?<\/h2>