In part three of the AEGEE Golden Times review of 2012 and preview on 2013 you will find the memories and expectations of Mariella Rapa, Ilona Bogomolova, Márton Demeter, Franscesca Russo, Alin-Florin Calin and Anna Pritvorova.

Mariella Rapa, EBM organiser, former Agora Chair

What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2012?
It’s impossible to pick and choose just one single highlight. As the clock struck midnight on the 31st December 2011, I was hosting a Winter Event in Valletta, and I was really eager for the year to come as I knew that this was the perfect chance for me to experience AEGEE. I really did do it with my heart and soul. Looking back I have to admit however that I never dreamt I’d have such a terrific year, and I’m still amazed by it all. Being Chairperson of AEGEE-Europe, applying to host EBM Valletta in 2013, organising and winning the Best TSU, getting to know fabulous people and making many special friendships, visiting amazing countries, and getting used to lost luggages in airports are just a few I can think of right now.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2012. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
Perhaps the most striking one was to have amongst us the founder of our association, Franck Biancheri, whose unfortunate demise only a few months later shocked us all, occurring exactly one day before Autumn Agora, Despite his controversial thinking, I believe his ideas raised significant concerns on the fact that we should go back to the roots and question our very own identity, what we stand for, and what will our future be like, a much-needed project which has been embarked on since then by the newly-elected Comité Directeur.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2013?
I have lost count how many times I was asked this question. Well, of course, one of my priorities right now is the organisation of EBM Valletta 2013. I have been one of the persons who conceived the idea and I consider it my turn to give back AEGEE a fraction of what it gave to me. However my main focus this year is to achieve the LL.M  that I am currently reading in London and to start practising in my area of specialisation. An even greater priority would be to join a Summer University, away from all the books and libraries, in a sunny destination with some of my bestest friends. I heard Agora Zaragoza shouldn’t be missed so I might make a return to the scene there but that’s still a long way to go and I’m not committing myself yet! It all depends on personal circumstances but surely I can say that I am very satisfied with the work I have done so far!
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2013?
I would say that it would be the main topic that will be discussed at the EBM – the Future of Europe! I believe that the decisions that are being taken now by national governments will either make us or break us! Europe has gone through many challenges but I guess the 2008 economic crash has been the most provoking episode, the effects of which are expected to last for the next thirty years at least. Governments are out of revenue; some states are begging for bailouts; others profess their anti-European feelings. This points to the question of where does the future of our youth stand – will we be the disengaged generation? Or can we effectively be the generation that make Europe a better place? Maybe some questions cannot be answered right now but AEGEE should definitely be, as it has been, a main player in shaping the future of young Europeans.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2012 and why?
Unquestionably – Sygrit Andringa from AEGEE-Groningen. I worked with her for the past year in the Chair Team and she has always been impressively positive, active, and incredibly efficient. On a personal basis, it was a great pleasure getting to know her, and working together with her in the same team. We have had so many wonderful memories, especially when AEGEE-Cagliari hosted our Chair Meeting but also the recent Autumn Agora with Thomas & Alberto, where I enjoyed every single minute of it all with the four of us.
How/where will you spend New Year’s night?
I will celebrate the New Year with my finest friends in my favourite destination – Napoli, the land of love! Cheers to health and happiness for the year to come to all the Network!

 

Ilona Bogomolova, Audit Commission

What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2012?
Candidating for the audit commission – I am afraid of the big scenes (smiles)
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2012. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
The Agora in Budapest – it was a new level of participation.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2013?
Audit Commission, Audit Commission, Audit Commission…
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2013?
And again – Audit Commission
Who was or were for you the outstanding members in 2012?
People from my beloved AEGEE-Kyiv antenna: Anna Gots, Alla Resheten, Diana Tupchiienko. Their contribution to AEGEE life is huge. Our big organisation is working thanks to such people.
How/where will you spend New Year’s night?
In Switzerland with my husband. We haven’t decided yet whether it should be a party or a family holiday.

 

Franscesca Russo, AEGEE data analyst, Network Subcommissioner

What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2012?
This year was full of AEGEE spirit. I did lot of stuff for my antenna, attended several different kind of events, got to know many people, took many responsibilities and develop myself a lot. If I have to choose only one personal highlight I would say all the improvements of AEGEE-Padova. From an antenna that was almost expiring now we’re active again and we’re spreading the values of AEGEE around Padova.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2012. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
I should do a distinction between the most vivid, the most memorable and the most outstanding. Unfortunately the most vivid was the one minute of silence that followed Thomas’ reading the vote of confidence while the most memorable was to see the man who founded AEGEE, Franck Bianchieri, at the Agora in Enschede talking about the future of the association – 27 years after he founded it and a few months before his death. The most outstanding was the new and old CD dancing all together Severina’s hit “Italiana” with a lot of passion. Hi five for their performance – especially to Marko!
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2013?
For sure I’ll complete what I’ve started this year: data analyst with Michele Turati and Subcommie of Claudio Armandi, president of my antenna. I’m planning to work hard to increase AEGEE-Padova’s numbers and to be at the EBM Valletta. Then who knows. I’d love to be in Germany and in Spain for the next two Agorae, attend next Italian Network Meetings, participate in some trainings (first of all the FRES in may), organise another Summer University and participate in one myself. We’ll see if I manage to do all of this and even more.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2013?
I think a big topic next year, other than the identity and visual identity of AEGEE, will be the future of the EU and the role of young people in this. After they developped the concept of “Europe on Track” I’m sure we’re going to debate on it during the next months. Another highlight will be the membership card. I really hope that finally we’re going to have them. Maybe they will be as an ISIC card, with lot of discounts for members.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2012?
If I could I would award all members of the CD 2012-2013, because they are really doing a great job. They’re leading AEGEE towards a new era. In this period is important to make all the network understand better what is AEGEE so they are working really hard to refresh the image of the association inside and outside – for example videos with all our institutional partners, the new website, new opportunities for members, important projects and more. So I’ll name Luis, as team leader of the CD, as outstanding member of 2012. Then I would like to thank our previous Netcommie Matteo Scarpa for his outstanding work for the Italian network. He worked hard and managed to have a lot of good results.
How/where will you spend New Year’s night?
No idea yet, unfortunately I have exams at the beginning of January. Maybe I’ll just hang out with my home friends or maybe I’ll crush at some AEGEE friends’ official or unofficial event. It’s awesome to have friends everywhere!

 

Márton Demeter, Agora Budapest Coordinator

What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2012?
Definitely it was a highlight moment when I fell down in my bed late night on 4th November, Sunday evening after the Agora… Of course for me the Agora was the peak-point, namely the opening and closing ceremony were my fav’.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2012. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
I remember the silence in Enschede when the result of the vote of confidence had been announced. That was a crucial moment, but somehow AEGEE-Europe looks recovered. Also I would like highlight the growing visibility of AEGEE in Brussels in the political institutions – but I don’t judge if it is good or not.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2013?
I’m in AEGEE since 2006, it is now time to slowly become an oldie, but till that there are a couple of things on my bucket-list. For example I haven’t been on any Network Meetings, that is one thing I miss. Also it’s an old dream of mine to go to Riga. I planned that for 2012 but I didn’t really have time and money because of the Agora, but I hope I can make it to Riga this year! Of course there are always many interesting activities going on in Budapest, but after all I don’t plan to be really active anymore neither on local nor on European level. But I promise I will tell you if plan changes. Last but not least we are preparing a guide, a knowledge transfer document about how to organise an Agora. I hope that Alex and Chema, and all the future organisers can use that document for a good purpose.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2013?
Well, there are lot of things to do nowadays in these stormy days. But let me highlight that shaping AEGEE’s identity and somehow re-structure AEGEE’s life in order to speed up issues, because they are really slow and bureaucratic nowadays. Of course it will be a big change for the CD to move to a new house.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2012?
Franck Biancheri.
How/where will you spend New Year’s night?
Meeting some friends I have missed in the last couple of months.

 

Anna Pritvorova, “Europe in Exchange” project, Secretary of AEGEE-Moskva

What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2012?
It was real board year: being secretary of AEGEE-Moskva I was also responsible for different fields of my antenna’s actions: information support, partnership building activities, PR, FR and the participation of AEGEE-Moskva in the Youth in Action programme. Our board has achieved all goals we set in the beginning of 2012. In November I joined the Education Working Group and the AEGEE-Europe project “Europe in Exchange”, where my position is contact person for Eastern Europe. It was big step for me to become active on the European level.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2012. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
Agora Budapest was simply amazing – and my first one too.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2013?
To work hard for the “Europe in Exchange” project and propose antennae to organise a SU about students’ mobility in collaboration with us. Also, to attend Agora Zaragoza and to realise some of my ideas related to AEGEE-Moskva.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2013?
Approximate answers about AEGEE’s identity
Who was or were for you the outstanding members in 2012?
First member, who comes to my mind is Ivan Maryasin, AEGEE-Moskva president and my the best friend. He made an endless number of things to raise the level of our antennae – in spite of his sometimes intractable demands and weird decisions. Also Olga Iatsyna, ex-Network Commissioner, AEGEE-Dnipropetrovsk member, supported me after I just became secretary and never ingnored my questions. I am really thankful to her! And the last one is Silvija Peric, AEGEE-Zagreb president, beloved friend of mine. We’ve met in Alicante in August 2011 during an event of AEGEE-Castello and then she wasn’t even AEGEE member! She surprised me a lot, but I know she is wonderful in this position – and not only in this!
How/where will you spend New Year’s night?
Still have no clear idea, hope it will be spontaneous and with AEGEE friends!

 

Alin-Florin Calin, Juridical Commission

What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2012?
Being with a great group of AEGEEans during my SU on the peak of the highest mountain of Spain, El Teide in Tenerife, 3718 meters!
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2012. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
The troubles the Juridical Commission faced with counting the votes during Agora Enschede.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2013?
Going to a SU in the north of Europe, attending Agorae, improving the Liaison Office opportunities.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2013?
The environment.
Who was or were for you the outstanding members in 2012?
Amandine Scocard, AEGEE-Paris, and her colleagues during the summit at the Council of Europe for the symbolic acts. Burcu Becermen for her dedication in the last years and finally becoming an honorary member.Luis Alvarado-Martinez for bringing fresh air in AEGEE and pushing reforms, a bit of Obama.
How/where will you spend New Year’s night?
Not with AEGEEans, somewhere far away from a big city and the places I went to in the last years.

 

Check also the other reviews and previews!

Just click on the links.

Part 1: Manos Valasis, Fabian Brüggemann, Shushan Khachatryan, Ada Toma, Oleksandra Sandra Lukavetska, Mateusz Dokurno: https://www.aegeegoldentimes.eu/?p=4352

Part 2: Alla Resheten, Jana Pokorná, Koen Berghuis, Léa Charlet, Adrian Browarczyk and Zsuzsa Kékesi: https://www.aegeegoldentimes.eu/?p=4378