ISFiT- International Student Festival in Trondheim

ISFiT is the world’s largest student festival with a thematic focus. Every second year since 1990, ISFiT has been arranged in Trondheim, Norway. The festival themes have changed during the history, but have always been related to social and political topics with international relevance, and hence attracted students from all over the world.

The theme for 2007, was GLOBAL BOUNDARIES in which 450 students from 122 countries participated. It is the biggest festival I have ever participated. During these 10 days, I was part of a workshop called ‘Money Rules’.

In a globalized economy the various national economies are becoming more interconnected through trade agreements. Market economy, neo-liberalism and privatization can seem like a clear, single answer from institutions such as the World Bank, WTO and IMF.

We discussed if the prevailing free trade regime will lead to growth and prosperity throughout the world, or is the ideology of the market economy based on the principle of The Survival of the Fittest? Is it really possible for one single economic system to function all over the world? What alternatives exist? What role can the new social movements and the multinational corporations play?

We had many interesting viewpoints for & against Free Trade & it was very remarkable to look into the perspectives of students from different countries. We could not really reach any conclusions but we agreed upon some values & changes required in our societies like Ethics in business, Corporate Social Responsibility, Fair Trade, Micro Credit, Global Compact Programme, to face the shortcomings of Economic Globalisation. These are not the only solutions but some of them. Its important to remember that we are living in a Globalised world & we cannot undo it, but we have to find solutions to reduce the inequality between the rich & the poor, to make the world more fairer, to adhere to the basic human rights.