Unicef Student Team Tilburg: working together for a good cause

Character Swaans Communicatie

Inspired by strong values of social engagement, chairman Özer Şahoğlu and event manager Samareen Zubair work together in the Unicef Student Team Tilburg. This team, consisting of 60 students from various countries, organize fun, low-threshold activities on and around the campus. For instance, they raise money for “their” charity and raise positive awareness of children’s rights worldwide.

I want to leave behind a better world for future generations

Özer Şahoğlu

Özer: “I have been actively involved in various social organizations since I was 13. That has to do with my background: I was born in Cyprus, a divided country. I know how division affects people, children in particular. I want to leave behind a better world for future generations. That is my most important motivation. That is why I’m committed to Unicef, the organization that stands up for the rights of children. When I started my Global Law studies at Tilburg University in 2021, I applied for a position of the team’s board. Given my experience with volunteering in Cyprus, also at a board level, they appointed me as the chair.”

I have a strong sense of justice; it inspires me to give back to society

Samareen Zubair

Giving back

Samareen, too, has been socially involved from a young age. “I grew up in Pakistan. Before I came to Tilburg for my Bachelor’s and my Master’s of Social and Behavioral Science, I volunteered for various social organizations in my country of birth. For instance, I was a member of The Citizens Foundation, an organization committed to education for less-privileged children. I taught primary school children in my holidays. So for me, it is a matter of course to help other people besides my studies. I have a strong sense of justice; it inspires me to give back to society.”

Raising awareness

The Unicef Student Team consists of students from around the world. The team is not restricted to Tilburg University students, but also recruits students from Tilburg senior secondary vocational education (MBO) and universities of applied sciences who want to volunteer for Unicef. The Tilburg team has a total of 60 members, who work in various subgroups to organize and carry out activities. The objective? Samareen: “We want to raise as much awareness of children’s rights as possible. We do so in a low-threshold way: with a variety of activities on and around the campus.” Özer: “For example, we worked together with Books4Life, the second-hand bookshop in Cobbenhagen building. The proceeds of the book sales were donated to Unicef. The bookshop is relatively unknown, so the publicity generated by our activity has led to more shoppers. We also organized a bake sale near the Library in support of children`s rights to education, where students could buy all sorts of home-baked goodies. We also participate in Night University, Tilburg University’s annual science festival on campus.”

Making new plans together, having brainstorms about activities, that’s both instructive and great fun!

Samareen Zubair

Benefit

Is there a link between their volunteer work and their studies? Samareen: “I was not really aware of that, but I of course I bring the knowledge I gain in my studies to my volunteer work. Being an event manager is all about winning people over, persuading them to contribute. The psychological principles I learn during my studies are certainly helpful.” Özer adds: “As a Global Law student, I naturally hone in on justice, worldwide. Given my own background, I am particularly interested in children’s rights. So it is primarily the good cause that makes me passionate about my position as chairman.”

Instructive and great fun

And is it fun to be part of the Unicef Student Team? “To be sure it is!” says Samareen enthusiastically. “Making new plans together, having brainstorms about activities, that’s both instructive and great fun!”