‘This is MY Union!’ said Jon Snow

On Wednesday afternoon – 16th April 2008, Jon Snow hosted his LAST public lecture as the Oxford Brookes University Chancellor.

His Valedictory lecture on ‘’Threat and Illusion…the best of times or the worst of times?’ was a fascinating reflection of the vulnerability of the world we live in nowadays. Jon Snow, also an exceptional worldwide known journalist and TV presenter, shared his views on the War on Terror and the threats that community faces nowadays.

Oxford Brookes Students’ Union was there, of course! We could have stayed in the lecture hall debating over 10000000 issues maybe all night long, and the questions from the audience were numerous. The audience partly satisfied our curiosity by asking variety of questions. However noone mentioned the students, or their role in building the future of our society...what would society be without the precious students?! Despite the fact that our Vice-Chancellor Janet Beer did not manage to fit our question in time at the official Q&A, we managed to talk to Chancellor Jon Snow at the post-lecture reception.

And here’s what I asked on behalf of our SU:

‘Jon you spoke about the war on terror, the vulnerability of society, and the number of Islamic students studying in the UK. You mentioned that we have to find another way of talking to one-another.

Students’ Unions are the voice of our students…this year our students’ union has made a step forward in terms of integration between students from religious backgrounds, but still there is so much unused potential, so much to talking to do… at this University and on national scale…

Do you think that this new way you referred to could be through the young minds of the 21st century – the student community? And what do you see our role to be?'

Jon Snow said that the students’ community and its role in addressing the vulnerability of our society is crucial. He also complemented us for the work we’ve done. He said that SUs across the country should strive to educate students as well as local community of tolerance, respect and shared understanding of the ideologies of the future. He was very pleased to hear about the work OBSU has done so far in relation to integration of diverse students, and requested that we e-mail him our story…so an e-mail will be going out soon :)

Jon then happily posed for a picture with us, making a loud exclamation ‘This is MY Union’.

This 4 words would be long remembered at the SU - this was more than enough for us, knowing that our work has been somehow sincerely noted! What more would a Students’ Union possibly want from its University! … Recognition?!

A hug from Jon Snow and that’s all we need!!! We’ll dearly miss you Jon!!!!!

Antoinette
OBSU Prez

PS
You can find out more about the event..and how Jon Snow..’detonated’ the old image of OBU, by lighting up the night – just follow this link https://www.brookes.ac.uk/spacetothink/news/lights