The European Students’ Union (ESU) is the umbrella organisation of 45 National Unions of Students (NUSes) from 40 countries. The NUSes are open to all students in their respective country regardless of political persuasion, religion, ethnic or cultural origin, sexual orientation or social standing. Our members are also student-run, autonomous, representative and operate according to democratic principles.

The aim of ESU is to represent and promote the educational, social, economic and cultural interests of students at the European level towards all relevant bodies and in particular the European Union, Bologna Follow Up Group, Council of Europe and UNESCO. Through its members, ESU represents almost 20 million students in Europe.

On an international level, KSU is a full member of ESU and it is an official founding member of the MEDNET (Mediterranean Network of Student Representatives) within ESU. MEDNET is currently compromised of Student Unions; CREUP - Spain, FAGE - France, FAIRe - Portugal,  KSU - Malta and POFEN - Cyprus.

Moreover, KSU has always been at the forefront in representing itself and Malta within ESU, with various Maltese students having formed part of ESU Committees, such as Martina Darmanin and Robert Napier who were elected presidents of ESU in 2019 and 2021 respectively, and Bianca Pace who was elected as Human Rights and Organisational Development Coordinator in 2025, and Executive Committee member for the 2026 - 2027 term.

KSU hosted the first hybrid event by ESU following a two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic: the 43rd European Students’ Convention (ESC43). Whilst attempting to resort back to meeting physically once again, the ESC43 was organised in a hybrid format to also reach out those who could not travel. This was the inspiration behind the theme for the ESC43: Together Once More.

The ESC43 was a three-day convention comprised of different sessions about various pertinent topics and issues. The week-long ESC43 was held between the 8th and the 10th of March 2022. In total, an approximate 75 student delegates from 30 different National Unions of Students from around Europe (and beyond) participated physically in Malta, and a number of delegates participated online.

From the 1st to the 5th of May, KSU hosted the 3rd ESU Conference of Student Bodies of the Alliances in Malta. The conference was coordinated by the European Students’ Union’s Conference of Alliances and KSU, bringing together student representatives from European University Alliances for several days of discussion, exchange and cooperation.

European University Alliances are becoming an increasingly important part of European higher education, connecting universities across different countries through cooperation in education, mobility, research, innovation and governance. As these alliances continue to develop, meaningful student representation within them is essential.

Throughout the conference, participants discussed how student bodies within alliances are structured, how representatives are chosen, and how students can be better informed and involved in alliance-level work. Sessions also focused on democratic participation, visibility, inclusion, continuity, and the role of students in shaping alliance governance.

The conference provided space for representatives to share challenges, exchange good practices and build stronger links between student bodies across Europe. For KSU, hosting the event was particularly relevant as the University of Malta forms part of SEA-EU, the European University of the Seas.

Taking place during KSU’s 125th anniversary year, the conference also reflected KSU’s continued engagement in the European student movement and its commitment to ensuring that Maltese students remain represented in wider discussions on the future of higher education.

Between the 1st and 7th of December 2019, KSU hosted the 77th Board Meeting of the European Students’ Union in Malta, together with ESU. The meeting brought over 120 student representatives from national unions across Europe to Malta for a week of discussions, workshops and decision-making.

ESU Board Meetings are among the most important moments in the European student movement. They bring together national student unions to debate policy, vote on resolutions, review ongoing work, and decide on the direction ESU should take in the months ahead.

BM77 opened at the Gran Salon of the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta, with the European Students’ Conference on Human Rights and the Safeguarding of Inclusive Societies. The theme carried particular weight at the time, as Malta was going through a period of political tension and public mobilisation. Speakers reflected on human rights, freedom of expression, access to information, democratic values, and the responsibility of student unions during moments of uncertainty.

During the meeting, KSU also brought forward a resolution on Malta’s political crisis. The resolution, which was adopted by ESU, called for political responsibility, stronger checks and balances, proper investigations into public procurement contracts, and a clearer separation of powers.

Hosting BM77 was an important milestone for KSU’s international work. It placed Malta at the centre of European student representation for a week and allowed KSU to bring Maltese concerns directly into discussions with other national student unions.

Beyond the formal sessions, BM77 also strengthened KSU’s relationship with ESU and with student unions from across Europe. It remains an important moment in KSU’s history, showing how student representation can go beyond education policy and speak clearly on democracy, human rights and civic responsibility.