Cans for a good cause
Anyone who thinks all students do is study and party hasn’t met Emma Daalmans and Cristian Rusu. The former and current presidents of study association JFV Ouranos are currently raising money for charity. Why do they place so much value on societal engagement? And what have they learnt during their presidency?
For weeks, students lugging large bags of used cans and bottles has been a common sight at the Faculty of Law. Third-year student Emma Daalmans gets involved as often as she can. “In September, we started a campaign to collect empty cans and bottles and donate the deposit to Pink Ribbon, an organisation that supports breast-cancer research,” she explains. “We deliver them to Randwyck, on the other side of the Maas; for us as students, that sometimes poses logistical challenges. But we figure it out together.”
Charity committee
The campaign was initiated by Ouranos, a study association that organises social and academic activities for law students. Daalmans has been a member since the start of her studies and sits on various committees. Last academic year, in which Ouranos celebrated its 40th anniversary, she served as its president. The deposit campaign is the brainchild of the Ouranos board. “As a study association, it feels good to contribute to the world outside the university walls. That’s why we set up a committee to raise funds for charities.”
Breast-cancer diagnosis
The first charity the students chose, Pink Ribbon, was, as it were, chosen for them. It came as a great shock when a fellow Ouranos board member was diagnosed with breast cancer. “From that moment on, we did everything we could to raise money for breast-cancer research. We organised a bingo night, an Easter brunch, a bake sale, whatever we could. We managed to raise €671,” Daalmans says. “Then we came up with the idea of the deposit containers, which you can apply for through Statiegeld Nederland. In the coming months, three containers will be installed in the Faculty of Law: at the LAW Café, in the Lenculenhal and in the hall on the Kapoenstraat. With all the activities, we’re hoping to raise at least €1000 in total.”
Wake-up call
This academic year, Daalmans was succeeded as Ouranos president by Cristian Rusu. Originally from Romania, Rusu has been living in Maastricht since 2022. Given the strong reputation of Dutch education, he is glad to be able to study here, though he initially struggled to find his feet. Until he joined Ouranos, that is. “It’s my light in the dark,” he says. “It helps me make friends, gain knowledge, learn Dutch. And I learn about society, too.”
First step
Rusu is determined to make a success of the campaign for breast-cancer research. It’s important to look out for one another, he says. “In Romania, people are mainly focused on themselves. Society is very closed, in part because of all the political problems in the country. That’s a shame, because if we want to ensure a bright future for ourselves and future generations, we have to take steps in the right direction together.”
Daalmans couldn’t agree more. Her wake-up call came during her studies. “As a law student, you study a lot of real-life cases; from disputes between neighbours to climate lawsuits such as Urgenda. They opened my eyes to what’s really going on in society, and the fact that our society can use all the support it can get. That’s why it’s important that we students do our bit, even if it’s small.” Her advice for fellow students who don’t know where to start: “Just do it! The first step is often the hardest. If you have an idea, sketch it out and get to work. And seek out like-minded people, because you don’t always have to reinvent the wheel alone.”
Purple heart
She looks back on a fantastic board year. “Of course, there were ups and downs. But I made friends for life and learnt a lot, including about myself. I now try to go into discussions more calmly and constructively.” Letting go of the presidency was difficult, but she appreciates having more time this year for her studies and hobbies, such as designing clothes and painting. Which is not to say she’s letting go completely: she remains active in various Ouranos projects and committees. “I have a purple heart,” she says, referring to the association’s house-style colour.
Rusu sees it as a privilege to follow in Daalmans’ footsteps. He hopes to give new members—including foreign students—as warm a welcome as he enjoyed. “Currently I’m the only non-Dutch board member. I’d like to make the association more international.” At the same time, he is working on his Dutch: he wants to stay in the Netherlands and dreams of becoming a public prosecutor here.
Daalmans is less sure of what she wants to do after her studies. In any case, the future is wide open for both of them. Just as it is, fortunately, for the former board member whose diagnosis sparked the initiative to begin with.
Text: Milou Schreuders
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