Next week is huge for democracy at the Students' Union and will be filled with lots of important events that we are all really looking forward to.

We will attempt to push over a 1000 students to register to vote at the General Elections, hold our Annual General Meeting, open nominations of the Students’ Union Elections and publish our Student Manifesto – a document that sets out your views on what the Government need to change.

At Huddersfield Students’ Union we love democracy and most importantly, we work really hard to ensure that student engagement with politics on campus is a priority.

Yes, politics may not be everyone’s cup of tea, although with the General Elections right around the corner, and only occurring every five years, this is the perfect opportunity for you to hold the currently elected officials to account and ensure your voice is heard.

If you do not know who to vote for, that is fair enough.

Take your time, as there are plenty of options. Read, research online and make your mind up on a party or candidate that you feel represents you and what you believe is right for your country.

So, what have we got in store next week?

Monday 2 February - Nominations Open in the Students’ Union Elections

These are about making a change for students and about shaping the future of your student life for the next academic year.

Do you want to get involved in the Students’ Union? Do you want to take a leadership role on an issue that you care about? Do you want to be part of a group that helps to change the lives of Huddersfield students on a daily basis?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then running for election is definitely for you. Each year we elect Union Councillors, NUS Delegates and Executive Officers.

The majority of these positions are elected during term two, and the elections voting will take place between 9-11 March. I stood in the Elections twice and I would definitely encourage every student to give it a shot. It’s a fantastic opportunity that is open to all students.

Elections involve campaigning and talking to students from all walks of life, hearing from their course experiences, needs, issues and satisfactions. Not to mention the remarkable and admirable contribution that is given every by all candidates and their supporters, who sacrifice their time to run at the elections with a phenomenal passion drive.

Tuesday 3 February - Annual General Meeting, Quayside, 17:30 includes FREE PIZZA

The meeting is open to all members of the SU, including members of sports clubs and societies. There you will have a chance to question and have a say on the Union as a whole, its financial, democratic and activity practises.

The Student Exec Officers will attend the meeting, so if you have anything that you would like to ask about our work, feel free to put your hand in the air to get your questions answered straight away.

Wednesday 4 February - Publication of Student Manifesto

This document goes through student issues and what they would like to see improved in their community and country as a whole. We spoke to hundreds of students about the Student Manifesto campaign and received over 200 ideas.

The purpose of this manifesto was to shape student views into coherent recommendations that we will put forward to local candidates in the General Elections to address.

Thursday 5 February - National Voter Registration Day

This is a very exciting but also very important day. Since only half of young citizens are registered to vote, we will encourage as many students as possible to sign up to vote at the General Elections.

As one part of a population of over 20,000 individuals you could potentially tip the balance at the next General Election, so come and find us on campus - in just two minutes you will be registered!

So to make Democracy Week a complete success, we need YOU to be there, because you matter and your vote matters.

I look forward to seeing you all on campus.

#ThisMatters #GE2015

Coco Toma

Vice President Communications and Democracy