In Norway, students from 110 countries make human chain at sub-zero temperatures - and plan international network on debt.

In Norway last week (3-10 March 2001), more than 1000 students, including 450 delegates from 110 countries, gathered at the International Student Festival in Trondheim (ISFIT). With temperatures at -10 degrees, students, many from tropical countries, formed a remarkable human chain in solidarity with people of the most indebted nations. The images of African, Asian, Latin American and Scandinavian students marching for debt cancellation and standing together in solidarity in deep snow captured were broadcast widely throughout Norway. The International Student Festival, convened every two years by Trondheim students, and run almost entirely by 300 volunteers, gathered under the banner of "Global Responsibility". On the opening day a demonstration was held in the town centre, and after speeches the students formed a long human chain, snaking their away across the town of Trondheim, over a bridge and up to the Student Union, main venue for the conference.

Most of the visiting students were from indebted nations in Latin America, Africa and Asia, which made third world debt a key focus of the event. Assembled under the aegis of "Workshop 14" students were planning to build an international network to campaign on debt. They were addressed by Opa Kapijimpanga of the African Debt and Development Network, Axel van Trotsenberg of the World Bank and Ann Pettifor of Jubilee +.

Students form the backbone of the Jubilee 2000 movement in Norway, and with minimal funds and resources have captured national attention, shifting Norwegian public opinion in favour of debt write offs. Earlier this month Kjetil G. Abildsnes and Mari Sundli Tveit of the Norwegian Jubilee 2000 campaign cut a hole in the deep ice of a river in Oslo, in the presence of journalists. Calling on finance ministers meeting in Palermo to "break the ice" and cancel debt, they jumped into the freezing water, sporting only a "Drop the Debt" t-shirt.

For further details of ISFIT go to http://www.isfit.ntnu.no

For information on the Norwegian Jubilee 2000 campaign contact:

Petter Hveem, The Norwegian Campaign for Cancellation of Third World Debt, Aksjon Slett U-landsgjelda, Storgt. 11, N-0155 OSLO, Norway. Tel. +47-23010317 Telefax: +47-23010303
Email: slug@forumfor.no Website: http://www.forumfor.no