U8 Global Student Partnership for Development

The U8 was founded in July 2005 by university students Sheena Sumaria and Natasha Hughes, after meeting during a summer internship at the UK Department for International Development (DfID).

Their idea was to set up an inclusive global platform connecting students interested in development to raise awareness, spark debate and activism and to enhance knowledge of key challenges in social issues around the world.

The concept of the U8 was born during the time of the G8 Summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, where the leaders of world’s eight richest countries gathered to discuss global challenges.

In contrast, the U8 aimed to give a voice to students from developing countries about issues that concerned them most and to create a culture of inclusion in developmental dialogue and policy.

The U8 arena allowed for sustained, unbounded discussion both online and face-to-face at local, national and international levels.

It was hoped that by connecting students from around the globe, their understanding of complex issues and their ability to reflect upon, appraise and challenge policy and practice will be increased.

Writing - Articles are published online and in an annual print publication, which has been designed by students from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, for the past two years.