After a year of Covid-break, the Golden Times presents again its traditional annual review. Who is the AEGEE member of the year? Which antenna was the best? What were the highlights of the year? And what will 2023 bring? In this first edition: read what Stanislava Stefanova, Filipa Krželj and Ruslan Kvitnevyi said.
Stanislava Stefanova, Vice President of AEGEE-Europe, AEGEE-Sofia
What was your own personal AEGEE highlight in 2022?
It was a very dynamic year for me. I started 2022 blissfully unaware of what’s about to happen. Becoming part of the CD wasn’t even crossing my mind. The process of applying, getting selected, preparing for moving and actually ending up in the CD house lasted no more than a month and a half! I really took the crash course of AEGEE-Europe, and it was incredibly exciting! So, I’d say my personal highlight was this whole process of getting familiar with what my life will look like for the next year, going through the knowledge transfer and starting the CD journey.
Which moments of AEGEE-Europe in general in 2022 do you remember most vividly or as outstanding?
I absolutely loved meeting all the AEGEEans coming to the CD house, especially the European Bodies during their live meetings! It was always a breath of fresh air spending time together not only as “the people on the European level”, but also just as humans sharing the same values and principles.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2022?
It may make me seem a bit biased, as I am their CD appointed member, but I promise that I’m as objective as humanly possible in my compromising position. For the most outstanding members in 2022 I’d pick Elena Jiglau and Anna Lena Seidel. The first one was the true hero of the Autumn Agora being the only Juridical commissioner there and as a person she is the embodiment of both the AEGEE spirit and strict professionalism. Anna Lena is one of the most devoted, kind and hard-working AEGEEans I have met. As the coordinator of Social Equity WG, I think she is the example of a person, who is quite unstoppable when it comes to things she believes in.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2022?
The Ukrainian locals deserve our utmost respect and support this year!
What was for you the outstanding European project and/or WG/IG in 2022?
I believe the Climate Emergency Working Group did an outstanding job this year. The creativity of their ideas, the passion and effort they put in their activities is truly inspiring and I am looking forward to following the rest of their journey!
What is the biggest opportunity for AEGEE in 2023?
With the new Strategic Plan coming into force, we have the amazing opportunity to develop new ideas, build new partnerships and gain new knowledge. We shouldn’t be afraid to explore and change, adapting to the reality we are facing. Additionally, I believe we must always encourage new people with fresh ideas and energy to take the lead, as they are the ones, who will prevent AEGEE from falling into the trap of “we’ve always done it this way, that’s why we will continue doing so”.
What do you think AEGEE should focus on externally in the upcoming three years?
As a European youth organisation, we must be aligned with the direction Europe is taking. Because if we want to make a significant change with actual results and increase our visibility as a relevant stakeholder in the socio-political processes in Europe, we should take advantage of the momentum. Right now, this means focusing on the democratic engagement, the inclusion of all and the green transition.
What do you think AEGEE should focus on internally in the upcoming three years?
It’s time to start actively recovering from the pandemic and tackling the biggest issues it has caused – the HR problems and the knowledge transfer. There is a huge gap between the pre-Covid and after-Covid generation that requires our immediate attention. We should strive for re-building the connection between the locals as well as between the local and the European level.
If you could change anything in AEGEE, it would be…
The obsession with drama. Honestly, gossip is fun, but is it that important?
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2023?
Survive the end of my CD term successfully. Fingers crossed! After that, who knows, I’m open for suggestions!
Ruslan Kvitnevyi, Help Ukraine Taskforce, AEGEE-Lviv
What was your own personal AEGEE highlight in 2022?
Not being able to become a CD assistant because of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Which moments of AEGEE-Europe in general in 2022 do you remember most vividly or as outstanding?
The ability to organise a live Agora again after two years of Covid hiatus and not being able to participate in it because of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2022?
CD 59 for making a supporting statement of the Ukrainian locals at the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Wild East Netcom Karolina Wiera for providing general support and AEGEE-Aachen for representing AEGEE-Lviv during the Agorae.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2022?
AEGEE-Aachen for representing AEGEE-Lviv during the Agorae, AEGEE-Krakow for winning the opportunity to organise the upcoming EPM 2023 and all the locals who contributed in helping the victims of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
What was for you the outstanding European project and/or WG/IG in 2022?
Thanks to WDEE 2.0 (not really) we finally discovered that Europe indeed ends on the east side of the Ukrainian border.
What is the biggest opportunity for AEGEE in 2023?
To learn from its mistakes from the previous years.
What do you think AEGEE should focus on externally in the upcoming three years?
Take a more politically active role or stance in various affairs and help the victims of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
What do you think AEGEE should focus on internally in the upcoming three years?
Improve communication and streamline its resources.
If you could change anything in AEGEE, it would be …
Taking more action and responsibility given the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2023?
Being able to represent both online and live AEGEE-Lviv and Ukraine despite the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Filipa Krželj, PR Responsible of AEGEE-Zagreb, former Netcom
What was your own personal AEGEE highlight in 2022?
I would definitely say my term as NetCom. Working with a team of amazing people, helping the locals as much as we could, organizing events, working on projects… It’s just amazing to see how your locals develop and that your work pays off. I would also mention here the team spirit we’ve managed to have in my Subcommie team, so I would like to say thank you to everyone that has been a part of it, it has been a true pleasure to work with you. Our NWM is maybe the highlight of everything we’ve done during the year, although it happened at the end of 2021, so it doesn’t really count, but I still wanted to mention it.
Which moments of AEGEE-Europe in general in 2022 do you remember most vividly or as outstanding?
I haven’t been there, but I heard that Agora Novi Sad was quite amazing.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2022?
In my opinion, the outstanding member in 2022 was Dora Varjačić. She did an outstanding job as a president of AEGEE-Zagreb, as well as being a SubCommissioner for Baldria Area in 2021/22 and a member of Social Equity Group the year before. She is extremely hardworking, open-minded, resourceful and at the same time, always cheerful. I chose her as an example of a person who really enjoys working in youth associations, loves spreading the AEGEE spirit and did find her life path in this sector. It’s always a pleasure to work with her.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2022?
AEGEE-Novi Sad, as they did an amazing job organizing Agora Novi Sad 2022. As their ex-NetCom, I am very proud of them and everything that they’ve accomplished during the years. They are an amazing team, and I hope that they have an amazing future ahead of them as a local. Another local that I would definitely mention is AEGEE-Budapest. During the years of working with them, I would say that they have always been one of these antennae that have always been super active, with amazing people that really work hard for the local and enjoy developing the antenna. It’s a local that I’ve always admired, especially for the team spirit they have between their members, it’s very inspiring. Sugar at the end is AEGEE-Enschede, as I know how much passion and love they have for AEGEE, and now organizing another Agora, it’s truly amazing. All of the locals are amazing, it’s definitely very hard to name just three here. So here is to everyone, for spreading the AEGEE spirit and love we have for this association.
What is the biggest opportunity for AEGEE in 2023?
To find a new generation of motivated people that can carry on AEGEE in the future and show that united we can overcome the challenges that Europe faces.
What do you think AEGEE should focus on externally in the upcoming three years?
Maybe to try to connect more with other youth associations, especially about some important topics, so maybe together we can make some changes that we are not really able to do as AEGEE itself.
What do you think AEGEE should focus on internally in the upcoming three years?
We should try to find balance on the European level, focus on members to see what they actually need from AEGEE and find a way to keep them in the association.
If you could change anything in AEGEE, it would be…
…the stress on the European level. I know we are trying to be professionals here and do everything on time and perfectly, but we are still volunteers and sometimes we forget about it as well that we should actually enjoy it and have fun!
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2023?
After my NetCom term finished, I have decided to take a little break from AEGEE. It definitely didn’t last much, as already in October I was back in the board of AEGEE-Zagreb. So I would say that I will focus on my local, try to promote AEGEE as much as I can so we get new active members. We need to find a way to make people stay in AEGEE, become active and recognize AEGEE as an association that can be extremely helpful for your future, and as a place where everyone can find themselves.
