Manifesto & Priorities

I am running for Campaigns Officer because my involvement in academic, political and community spaces here at SOAS has repeatedly shown me that students face concerns that are genuine, complex and often poorly served by rigid structures. My approach has always been to create and promote spaces where students can speak comfortably, explore ideas through calm and deliberate discussion, and move toward actions shaped by clear reasoning. I want to carry this approach into the Union so that our campaigns can become more coherent, more accessible and more grounded in the actual needs of students.

I bring a grounded sense of judgement that has developed through organising, negotiations, careful communication and the management of different expectations, all carried out with steady attention to detail. Through planning public discussions, collaborating with societies and engaging with external partners, I have come to see that campaigns gain strength when people feel supported and when decisions follow a clear and consistent logic.

My vision for campaigns at SOAS is grounded in a simple principle. Students deserve a Union that treats their concerns with seriousness and care. Campaigns should begin with clear problem definition, supported by accessible guidance on strategy, communication and resource use. They should create opportunities for broad participation rather than being shaped by a small circle. They should draw on external expertise when useful, while remaining accountable to the student body. Above all, campaigns should give students the confidence that their work can lead to real institutional engagement.

Collaboration is an essential part of this role. My experience has already involved building relationships across SOAS and with external organisations, and I aim to make these networks accessible to students who want their campaigns to engage with wider debates in policy, scholarship and civic spaces.

If elected, I will approach the role with the same seriousness, patience and analytical perspective that have shaped my work across the university and beyond. I hope we can work together to foster a campaigns culture that is thoughtful, structured and genuinely attentive to student voices.

In Service and Solidarity, Samson Onwe.