History of SYL

Until the WWII international activities were the major priority in SYL but afterwards social welfare and education politics became more important. SYL has always been actively involved and taken initiative in all matters concening students and education.

In 1954 SYL established the Finnish Student Health Services and e.g. a student service organisation that later developed into Kilroy Travels travel agency. By the end of the 1960’s with SYL’s assistance the student unions established the housing foundations to take care of the growing housing needs of students. SYL was also actively involved in the planning and implementing of the study support and grant system. Since the 1980’s environmental issues and equality have become increasingly important and visible in SYL’s work.

International affairs have always been a very important part of SYL’s work. Already at the 1930’s SYL organised international student and trainee exchange and had active co-operation with its neighbouring countries. Several books about Finland were published in several languages.

After the WWII a new, global student activism developed. Establishing contacts with Soviet Union was an important, but not always an easy task. Bilateral agreements were made mostly with Eastern European student organisations and regular contacts with Nordic countries were established. SYL was one of the founding members of the IUS, but soon found the co-operation problematic. SYL resigned the organisation after the Hungarian Rising in 1956 and joined the International Student Conference (ISC), the opposing student organisation. SYL re-joined IUS in 1971 but only as an associate member with no obligations. In 1995 SYL resigned IUS again. From the 1990's organisations such as ESIB and NOM grew in importance.