Sanjoli Banerjee, a recipient of The Diana Award and the United Nations Volunteer Service Award, is advocating for the rights and welfare of international students amidst growing concerns about their well-being.
Ms Banerjee, a former international student at the Australian National University, focuses on issues such as housing, mental health, and the challenges of adapting to new cultural and educational systems.
She's calling on policymakers to pay more attention to these problems and provide better support for students from diverse backgrounds.
We shouldn’t see international students merely as a source of income; they are real human beings with certain rightsSanjoli Banerjee
"It's crucial that we listen to and understand the perspectives of students from diverse backgrounds," she tell SBS Hindi.
Ms Banerjee draws from her experience as a peer coach at university to highlight the impact of financial crises on students' mental health.
She's feels sometimes university counsellors fail to grasp the seriousness of the situation.
"These things impact students and their mental health," she adds.
Sanjoli Banerjee (Right) was a Member of Parliament for a day as a part of the program called ‘Girls Takeover Parliament’ (GTP) in 2019 Source: Supplied / Sanjoli Banerjee
“They have to study, work, volunteer and network to develop their career. It becomes overwhelming and they tend to compromise on their health for grades," she said.
In 2019, Ms Banerjee stepped into the shoes of Senator Larissa Waters at the Australian Parliament in Canberra, serving as a Member of Parliament for a day and advocating for climate action in the Senate.
Her speech, delivered on this occasion, was read by then Green Party leader Richard Di Natale.
Sanjoli Banerjee with former leader of Australian Greens Richard Di Natale (L). Credit: Supplied by Sanjoli Banerjee
"We were advised to wear comfortable shoes, as it was expected to be a typical day in the life of an MP, running around the building for meetings, media briefings, and policy-making," she said.
"So, I got a firsthand experience of what the life of a politician looks like in Australia."
Sanjoli Banerjee Source: Supplied / Sanjoli Banerjee
"As a non-citizen of Australia, as a woman, as a young person, and as a person of colour, I consider it a great opportunity and privilege," Ms Banerjee said.
"I met with then-PM Scott Morrison and the current PM, as well as the then-leader of the opposition, Mr Albanese. We also presented a charter on how to increase female representation in politics, particularly at the federal level."
Ms Sanjoli Banerjee Source: Supplied / Sanjoli Banerjee
What are the other gaps?
Ms Banerjee highlighted another gap concerning the requirements of certain degrees, such as her master's in social work.
She explained that students are often required to complete 1000 hours of unpaid work in the industry to gain knowledge and experience.
As a student representative at the Social Work Educators Summit in Sydney, she brought this issue to the attention of the peak body.
Ms. Banerjee acknowledges the difficulty in implementing paid internships but suggests a middle ground, such as providing transport support or adopting hybrid working models, to alleviate the financial burden on students.
The passion for change and leadership
The foundation of Ms Banerjee's leadership was laid in India's northern state of Haryana, when she was just five years old.
She witnessed her parents taking a firm stance against the unethical practice of sex-selective abortion.
The incident of her mother being forced to abort her younger sister changed Ms Banerjee's life.
It sparked her transformation into a passionate activist, propelling her into a whirlwind of demonstrations, street performances, poetry recitations, and community outreach efforts, all dedicated to advocating for change.
Even though her efforts grabbed the attention of national media, Ms Banerjee saw them as just a regular part of her childhood, nothing special.
Sanjoli Banerjee founded a free, mobile school with a holistic development model for marginalised students in India Source: Supplied / Sanjoli Banerjee
"I became very aware of the world around me. Ignoring problems was never an option. I strongly believe in the impact of individuals. No matter what role you have, everyone can make a difference," Ms Banerjee emphasised.
She also heads Sarthi, an organisation founded by her father in India.
Sarthi campaigns for mental health awareness, menstrual hygiene, and promotes holistic education.
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