Introduction
Here is a representation guide created by the VU SR (Vilnius University Students' Representation). Its purpose is to familiarize students' representatives and individuals interested in representation with the national higher education policy and its key stakeholders. Through this guide, we seek to strengthen the competencies of NGO (Non-Governmental organisations) representatives necessary for preparing and presenting proposals
Aiming to encourage citizens to participate more actively in public governance within the field of education, since 2018 VU SR has been implementing the project "Improving Public Governance in the Field of Education through the Involvement of Non-Governmental Organizations." The project is funded by the European Union Structural Funds
Engagement in educational policy processes begins with representation. In order to represent effectively, we must first answer the question: what do we consider representation to be? This activity originated from the need to defend the interests of those who, at certain times, were unable to do so themselves due to prevailing legal or other restrictions.
Representation, as a phenomenon, can be divided into the following components:
Represented party (for example, students)
Representative (the person who carries out representational activities)
Objective (the change being sought)
Stakeholders (various bodies, institutions, and similar entities in which the representative operates)
Competencies (knowledge, skills, and value-based attitudes enabling the representative to perform their functions)
Activity (actions related to the representation process and governed by certain rules, such as problem-solving)
Now, about the publication itself. Here we will discuss which stakeholders participate in the formulation and implementation of higher education policy processes. The publication consists of two parts. The first part introduces the participants of higher education policy, while the second part provides recommendations for the activities and competence development of student representatives.
The first part presents four schemes. The first diagram depicts the participants of higher education policy as defined in the Law on Higher Education and Research*.* The following diagrams illustrate the activities of the Seimas (Parliament), the Government, the The Ministry of Education and Science and its subordinate institutions. They also visualize the processes of drafting and adopting laws and Government resolutions.
In the schemes, by selecting the organization or institution of interest, a short description of its activities will open, including an active link to relevant information. Below each diagram, you will find its description and summaries of all organizations represented in the schemes.
In the second part, the information is presented sequentially: how to identify problems and plan their solutions, collect and analyse data, prepare proposals, communicate them effectively to stakeholders, and report back to students.