Who is the AEGEE member of the year 2020? Which antenna, which project was the best? What were the highlights of the year? And what will 2021 bring? The Golden Times asked more than 50 active AEGEE members. Over the next week you can see what they answered. In this fifth edition: read what Evita Ločmele, Iuliana Paun and Asier Rodriguez said. 

Evita Ločmele, Vice-speaker of Strategy Committee, Secretary of Autumn and Extraordinary Agora 2020, AEGEE-Heidelberg

Golden Times: What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2020?

From EPM Barcelona 2020 – the only physical statutory event of the year, where I took part in facilitating the drafting of Political Activism – to Extraordinary Agora 2020, where I as Secretary took minutes and was part of the Chair Team, this year has been a rollercoaster ride for me in AEGEE. If I really have to choose one, I will go for the proposal “Creation of a new European Body: Policy Office” which was accepted during the Spring Agora 2020. I worked very closely on it – from research on former forms of Policy Office to discussing with Juridical Commission on the nuances related to formal specification. It was a very proud moment to have put policy to the spotlight and ensure the continuity of the work done.

Which moments of AEGEE-Europe in general in 2020 do you remember most vividly or as outstanding?

The Saturday Evening Plenary and Closing Plenary of Autumn Agora 2020. In total the plenaries lasted for 8 hours – during which I had the pleasure to take minutes. In total it ended up being over 55 pages of minutes for just two plenaries. I think this number clarifies why it was as bizarre as 2020 has been for all of us. As part of the Chair Team, we were in the middle of all of it. Peculiar experience to say the least.

Who was for you the outstanding member in 2020?

I will not stop at one single person and nominate three strong women.

  • First of all, Elitsa Hadzhieva – when the world made a halt, Europe on Track was a brilliant example of how important it is to stay flexible and not give up. No question why she was selected member of the month in March 2020.
  • Then Michalina Górka – I have been able to watch Michalina’s growth on the European level from her joining her first European Body in November 2019, to becoming a Speaker of Atrategy Committee and then serving as Finance Officer of AEGEE-Europe. She has one of the most brilliant minds in AEGEE and she deserves a lot more recognition than she has already received.
  • Last but not least, Ann Kristin Gildhoff – or as I like to call her: Tini. If you happen to know her personally, you will have no questions about her big heart and kindness. But during 2020 she excelled to new levels on the European Level by becoming interim Vice-Chairperson, then getting elected for a full term in the Chair Team and proving her brilliance and ability to excel under pressure. AEGEE is benefitting a lot from having her in such a crucial position.

Shout-out here also to Monika Mojak and Timo Haarman – including Job Shadowers and Chair Team assistants – with whom I shared the experience of being in the Chair Team of Autumn Agora 2020 and Extraordinary Agora 2020. You all have been outstanding!

Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2020?

I believe that this has been a heavy year for all antennae, but I want to highlight AEGEE-Yerevan, AEGEE-Moskva and AEGEE-Tartu. Three very hardworking locals, who invested all of their time and effort to bring to us high quality statutory events and suffered from Corona measures. Obviously in times like these, when health and safety of AEGEEans is our priority, it was the right thing to do. However, it doesn’t undermine the brilliance of the people in the organising teams and their dedication and how heart-breaking these decisions were to make.

What was for you the outstanding European project, working group or interest group in 2020?

Apart from huge love to Youth Development Working Group of 2019/20, I want to highlight the Equal Rights Working Group and the LGBT+ Interest Group for their AEGEE’s Online Pride week in June. In addition, LGBT+ IG has a lovely Telegram group for people part of the community and allies, where everyone is welcome. And it certainly is one of the few AEGEE internal groups where all discussions are based on mutual respect and genuine interest – and common love for glitter.

As already mentioned, Europe on Track 7 had a strong year despite all the hardships and were one of the first ones to shift to online tools for workshops. Special mention goes to the Culture Interest Group which was revived at the beginning of the year and has managed to remind us that to learn about different cultures one does not necessarily have to travel.

What is the biggest opportunity for AEGEE in 2021?

The year 2020 showed us that in AEGEE we all have strong opinions and are ready to discuss. Though in many of these occasions we acted too late, which led to many unnecessary discussions, where all parties involved forgot to keep an open mind and understanding for each other. I hope that AEGEEans in 2021 will be more considerate whether what they are saying adds value to the discussion. At the end of the day AEGEE is about the community.

The Corona crisis hit AEGEE hard in 2020. What measures should AEGEE take to overcome the crisis? Maybe you also see some positive examples in the network that you can name?

Truth to be told, AEGEE has been moving too slowly and should have taken proactive measures already from March onwards. However, the pandemic is still at its high, so we should prioritise keeping our network strong and engaging locals. This is the time to unite the network and emerge from the pandemic stronger. I hope the long-awaited Covid-19 Taskforce starts work soon and brings us the much needed unity and a direction to proceed. We saw a lot of individual effort this year to keep the spirits high, but I will name here two that were my personal favourites. The Eurovision party by AEGEE-Zagreb and the Quarantine quizzes by Calvin Breakwell. These were fantastic events organised by lovely people!

What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2021?

Despite the pandemic, AEGEE in 2020 has given me a lot in very unexpected ways. For 2021 there are still a few things that I have not done in AEGEE. However, priority number one will be to take it slow and enjoy the ride. This year has once again reminded all of us about the importance of Mental Health, self-care and spending time with your loved ones.

 

Iuliana Paun, PR Responsible of HRC of AEGEE-Europe, AEGEE-Bucuresti

Golden Times: What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2020?

2020 was such a different year and such a challenging one, but even so, it was such an adventure. One of the highlights of this year was that I was voted in the Speaker Team of Human Resources Committee (HRC) of AEGEE-Europe as the PR Responsible.

Which moments of AEGEE-Europe in general in 2020 do you remember most vividly or as outstanding?

When I entered the HRC, this being my first time working in a European committee, I did not expect to be so motivated. But the most outstanding moment was when I met these wonderful people in a live meeting. It was the last trip that I have done before the quarantine and I will always think of it as one of the best memories of the year. It is such a different experience to work with a team online, but it is more special when you meet that team in person. In 2021 I am sad that we don’t yet have the possibility to do it again. But who knows…

Who was for you the outstanding member in 2020?

I will name here Iulia Simion, the new President of my local AEGEE-Bucuresti, Krzystof Gut, the former Speaker in HRC, Shehide Gashi, today’s HR Representative of HRC, and Network Commissioner Nicoleta Mihalescu. They showed me that it all starts with your own example, if you are motivated and if you are positive, your members will be the same and you can do big things.

What is the biggest opportunity for AEGEE in 2021?

I am really proud of us – of AEGEE. When the quarantine started, we adapted really easily, for example when we created that Facebook Page “AEGEEans in Quarantine”, and after when we moved our Agoras online. This period is a time to discover new platforms and new ways to make our voices louder and more visible.

The Corona crisis hit AEGEE hard in 2020. What measures should AEGEE take to overcome the crisis? Maybe you also see some positive examples in the network that you can name?

What we should all do is to be active. Do whatever you want, choose your projects or tasks, but just do something and motivation will come. Keep it in mind that: “If you’re stuck on a problem, don’t sit there and think about it; just start working on it. Even if you don’t know what you’re doing, the simple act of working on it will eventually cause the right ideas to show up in your head.” This quote is from “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck” – I recommend it.

What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2021?

2020 taught me that you shouldn’t expect that every plan that you make will follow the direction that you imagine for it. Just adapt and expect the unexpected. In the next year I want to be better and more active as in 2020 and what will happen, will happen for sure.

 

Asier Rodriguez, AEGEE-Bilbao, AEGEE-Barcelona, Climate Emergency Working Group member

Golden Times: What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2020?

It cannot be anything else but the EPM Barcelona 2020. It was such an honour and a pleasure to be part of the Core Team for this event in February this year. We had to work a lot, it’s true, yet it was really rewarding and gave us tons of satisfaction. I was so lucky to be in charge of a team full of friends and colleagues, always with a smile on our faces and with no pain in our legs or arms despite not sleeping for nearly two days in a row. Nevertheless, the hugs and kisses I got on the European Night – month 1 before Covid – were the best reward I could get in representation of the whole team of organizers and helpers. I ended up being extremely exhausted, sleepy and really, really proud of having been able to organize such a big assembly.

Which moments of AEGEE-Europe in general in 2020 do you remember most vividly or as outstanding?

I had the chance to start the year in a new country, Ukraine, and more precisely in beautiful Lviv. It was minus 5 degrees, but the cozy and warm atmosphere we created made me feel at home. I had such an amazing time while getting to know a brand-new country and antenna. Not to mention that I was surrounded by 10 Spanish members I had known for long and made me feel at home. Apart from that, huge thanks to the organizers behind the two online Agorae that were held along this year. Chair Team, Secretary crew, IT magicians and every actor involved has to be thanked for it. It was a difficult time. Nevertheless, we still managed to move forward with the association without losing the perspective for a new statutory live event in the upcoming year. Sure that no matter Yerevan, Moscow or whoever is lucky to organize it, will fulfil the expectations!

Who was for you the outstanding member in 2020?

  • Borja Torres, since I have known him for nearly five years and I cannot be happier to see him in the CD, giving his best for the sake of AEGEE-Europe, helping it strengthen and develop as far as possible. All the passion and love he has for the association is being put right now wherever he is and every second he dedicates to the projects part of our family. A friend from whom I am really proud and wish him the best of luck and tons of patience.
  • Noelia Hernández, who I have known for nearly three years, always with a smile on her face, has had an amazing role as part of the subcommie team in the Tripu 12 and also willing to take part as a successor for the upcoming term after being elected in the Autumn online Agora. In these difficult times it’s really hard to take responsibilities into consideration. I am sure that she will be doing a nice job as she has been doing lately.
  • Julian Van Loo as part of the Strategy Committee, always involved in such topics and actual Content Organizer of the upcoming EPM 2021 regarding Circular Economy and the possibilities on how to implement it in many different paths. Based on the exceptional situation we’re having nowadays regarding climate and sustainability he has decided to make his best for the topic. Wish him the best!

Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2020?

AEGEE-Barcelona with the EPM. It is a local with a great history – more than 30 years old. There was a chance to make an Agora, yet the meeting proved successful and gave us strength and ambition to move forward. This year is not the best one as the quantity of members is quite low but I am sure that bringing all those memories back will be a really nice tool for gaining back motivation and power so as to make it great again! Additionally, they adopted me as a full member when I moved from my hometown and I truly appreciate it, since they help make me feel at home from the very beginning. However, I would like to mention two more locals that did a great job throughout this whole year, such as Moscow and Yerevan but didn’t have the chance to organize those amazing Agorae they were preparing. I encourage them to keep on working, not give up and hope to meet them there!

What was for you the outstanding European project, working group or interest group in 2020?

This year was full of changes, for example in the field of the Focus Areas. There is a new Strategic Plan starting in 2020 and the Focus Areas have been pretty correctly chosen. They are so interesting topics that can engage many AEGEEans so as to change our little big part of the world. Let me explain:

  • Climate Emergency: we are on the verge of a drastic change without possible solution, thus being extremely important
  • Mental Health: key issue which is essential in our daily lives due to huge amount of stress and information that we receive every day
  • Social Equity: feminism, racism and homophobia as some of the examples for which we can actually strive
  • Political Activism: the possibility to engage youngsters in the fight for the world of tomorrow and become active politically

The more we engage, the more we know, the more we spread the word, the better we will become!

What is the biggest opportunity for AEGEE in 2021?

Readapt and grow with a brand-new ideal behind. We are losing members each and every year and should think about what we could do so to fix it. The coronavirus struck us in a pretty definitive point in order to rethink some of our ideas we thought invincible and essential. We have to invest our time in what makes us different, what actually makes us stand from all the associations surrounding us and be able to stop and change the nature of our product, how we sell it and who to engage and how we want to do it. Among our members we have tons of knowledge, capabilities and motivation that we are in the risk of losing if we don’t take action now. However, I am really optimistic and I believe that we can sort this out!

The Corona crisis hit AEGEE hard in 2020. What measures should AEGEE take to overcome the crisis? Maybe you also see some positive examples in the network that you can name?

To begin with, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. And this has happened to AEGEE. One thing that the pandemic has shown is that we are actually more effective and efficient – at least in my case – while attending assemblies online and are able to save lots of time if we keep it constant for the following years. We speak a lot in the Agorae but we pretty much lose our power to influence our surroundings and have an actual impact on the society in the way we could do it. If we can actually divide the content into live fruitful and content-rich assemblies and online, bureaucracy-based chat, I honestly believe that the outcome’s value can rise a lot and we can gain a lot of power. Not only that, on behalf of the Climate Emergency Working Group I can tell that there are so many locals in contact with us, willing to spread the word, willing to engage members and raise their awareness in this topic. Fortunately, this is not only happening in our Focus Area but also in the other ones on the Strategic Plan, since I see many people interested in the thematic part of AEGEE, which can serve as a turning key for the future.

What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2021?

My upcoming plans can yet change a lot, but I have three points of action for the following months.

  • Local action: help AEGEE-Bilbao and AEGEE-Barcelona, the locals I belong to, for engaging members, developing workshops and activities which can help them grow as a local. Antennae’s good health is key for a proper network status, thus they are essential for the correct behaviour of the whole association.
  • Climate Emergency Working Group: we are at a turning point in which we can help a lot by engaging and raising awareness of as many people as possible. I want to take part in it along with my fellow members!
  • EPM 2021: content helper with Mr Julian Van Loo is always an opportunity to work on that awareness-raising process. I was part of the core team in 2020 and had to stay engaged for such an interesting topic. Come and join us!