After a year of Covid-bread, 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 second edition: read what Novak Simin, Enikő Gurdán and Julian van Loo said.

Novak Simin, Mediation Commission, Main Coordinator of Spring Agora Novi Sad 2022, AEGEE-Novi Sad

What was your own personal AEGEE highlight in 2022?
That would definitely have to be the Opening of Spring Agora Novi Sad 2022. We have worked hard as a team for more than two years to organise the first live statutory event after Corona, and it was a hell of a challenge. But to see all that materialise and pay off was priceless. Standing there in front of everyone made me realise the struggle was worth it, seeing all of us gather together to drive AEGEE forward left me feeling ecstatic.

Which moments of AEGEE-Europe in general in 2022 do you remember most vividly or as outstanding?
Well I would say the forming of the Restructuring Task Force. I have seen AEGEE struggle in the last few years and was starting to get worried we were on a path of no return. However, this gave me hope that we can recover and even grow. It was also rather motivating seeing people that gave a lot of their time to AEGEE still willing to fight for its survival.

Who was for you the outstanding member in 2022?
First one that comes to my mind would be Marija Valentina Žuvić, current Coordinator of the Restructuring Task Force, DPC member, former CD, etc., you can add a lot more to the list. She has really put her heart and soul in keeping AEGEE going strong, and to see that after all the work she still has the energy to invest in our organisation should serve as a motivation for all of us.
I would also like to mention Franjo Lovro Popović, our Vice-Chair and Chair of the Agorae. Chairing the first live Agora in years, and then switching back to an online format and taking care of one extra Agora (sorry about that), wasn’t easy, but he pulled it off impeccably. At a time when AEGEE is adapting I think he really showed us the face of a true dedicated AEGEEan.
This last, but not least, comes from a more personally perspective. The person that always kept their cool and assured everything was done perfectly at the Agora and the person that held my back and made sure the Agora in Novi Sad happens, Milana Janačković. Knowing how much Milana invested, yet maybe wasn’t as visible as me or someone else, should remind us that there are many AEGEEans that work more than we know, and we should show our gratitude to each and every one of them.

Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2022?
I believe it would be the Ukrainian locals. To still be a part of AEGEE and still be investing at such a time is beyond admirable. Even more so, their effort to see how AEGEE can help makes me realise we are more than just another youth organisation. A part from them, I would have to name my own local. Dealing with many uncertainties and being able to pull of an Agora that I know had flaws, is something we were capable of only because we believed in AEGEE.

What is the biggest opportunity for AEGEE in 2023?
Building on its foundations and seizing the opportunity to downsize, restructure and start growing again. I believe it is well about time for us to think how we want AEGEE to proceed.

What do you think AEGEE should focus on externally in the upcoming three years?
I would like to see us focusing on the environmental topics and how the youth can contribute to fighting climate change and the energy crisis. Other than that I would rather see us focus on our own problems, deal with what is bothering AEGEE internally in order to be able to contribute externally in the future.

What do you think AEGEE should focus on internally in the upcoming three years?
First and foremost, I think we need to decide where we want to go. I feel as if we got lost somewhere, we are trying to do so many things that in the end we don’t accomplish anything. I think we need to cut down on our structure and make AEGEE more understandable to our members. I also think we should focus on strengthening the locals that we have, forget about founding new ones until we are back on our feet. In order to do this, I think we should focus on encouraging locals to participate more on the regional level, connect those that are close and let them support each other and then grow together. One other thing we need to focus on is finding one decent channel of communication, not having 10 mailing lists, Facebook groups, Telegram channels, etc. We need to be able to establish one channel that should be accessible to everyone and that is easy to navigate. In order to accomplish anything, we must have easy access to information and limit the amount of information that we need. So all in all cut down so we can grow back up.

If you could change anything in AEGEE, it would be…
The way we give feedback. We are rather strict when it comes to mistakes and would always point that out without choosing the way we do it. On the other hand, when it comes to giving praise we tend to forget about it and do not really show gratitude to so many members that put their free time and energy in our organisation. I am hopeful this would change soon.

What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2023?
I would like to focus on my term within the Mediation Commission, try to contribute to the change I mentioned in the previous question and just enjoy the events. I’m really looking forward to the Spring Agora Enschede, I can’t wait to compare the experience with the one I had back in 2017.

 

Enikő Gurdán, Network Commission, AEGEE-Budapest

What was your own personal AEGEE highlight in 2022?
So far due to illness and different reasons, I couldn’t participate in any NWM, and this year I could facilitate two! My own, NWM Sofia, was the kindest to my heart as it was a success, very well-organised and the people very really active at the sessions! Credits to AEGEE-Sofia! So glad and grateful for this experience! And the best party place!

Which moments of AEGEE-Europe in general in 2022 do you remember most vividly or as outstanding?
First thing is the Agora, as this year it was my first live one, and second when we played quidditch at SPM Budapest!

Who was for you the outstanding member in 2022?
I will mention all of my SubCommies here: Brandy, Chiara, Karina and Radu, since they are doing their best and are really cool people to work with!

What was for you the outstanding European project and/or WG/IG in 2022?
The most outstanding one was the PAWG, since they got back on track thanks to Juan Carlos! Keep up the good job!

What is the biggest opportunity for AEGEE in 2023?
Biggest opportunity is I think the Agora in Enschede, since it is the biggest fun and most serious event, which is a whole other world to experience.

What do you think AEGEE should focus on internally in the upcoming three years?
We should focus on our members: acknowledging their achievements and reacting to their needs, and doing more proactive recruitment!

If you could change anything in AEGEE, it would be…
It would be the financial opportunities offered for the CD to make it more attractive.

What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2023?
My personal plan is to deal more with the locals of mine and to plan a meetup for them, as well as focusing on more teambuilding events and tasks for the NetCommies.

 

Julian van Loo, Sustainability Committee, Strategy Committee, AEGEE-Delft

What was your own personal AEGEE highlight in 2022?
There were many, so it’s hard to choose – but I’d probably go for the weekend I spent in wonderful Passau for their famous boat party!

Which moments of AEGEE-Europe in general in 2022 do you remember most vividly or as outstanding?
Spring Agora Novi Sad was a fantastic re-start after the pandemic, and managed to relight the AEGEE fire in all of us again. Watching the Eurovision final with people from so many countries together during the European night was also an amazing experience.

Who was for you the outstanding member in 2022?
I will name four – the people I worked with in the Strategy Committee: Juan, who left us to follow his passions as coordinator of the Political Activism Working Group, but with whom we again collaborate as part of the content team for EPM Kraków; Yannic, who worked very hard on the new AEGEE Ideas Platform; Teddy, who put a lot of effort into StC as coordinator from CD and continues to do so today; and Ann Kristin, with whom I was also able to meet at the boat party in Passau and during the Christmas dinner in Delft!

Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2022?
While much love goes to AEGEE-Passau, the most outstanding locals are AEGEE-Novi Sad, AEGEE-Krakow and AEGEE-Enschede for organising the first Agora, the first EPM and the second Agora after Covid!

What was for you the outstanding European project and/or WG/IG in 2022?
The Ukraine Taskforce deserves a lot of credit and respect for involving AEGEEans in the war and supporting Ukraine. Слава Україні!

What is the biggest opportunity for AEGEE in 2023?
Since we are getting used to physical events again and re-learn how to organise those, we have many opportunities to finally implement the sustainable practices developed by the Sustainability Committee and learn from this!

What do you think AEGEE should focus on externally in the upcoming three years?
We should focus more on what we, as a youth-led organisation, can offer European students and use our diverse network to facilitate dialogue and encourage students to take a stance, become active, and advocate for their ideals. I think the three new Focus Areas – Bridges of Dialogue, Digital Culture and Eco-Responsible Society – are very relevant and will be useful in achieving this!

What do you think AEGEE should focus on internally in the upcoming three years?
A lot of knowledge, experience and practices were lost in the past few years. We should focus on retaining the knowledge we have and re-implementing tried ways of working. Also, communication in the network should be improved. The Restructuring Taskforce and Organisational Improvements should help in improving our internal structure and processes.

If you could change anything in AEGEE, it would be …
Less talking about rules and details, more action!

What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2023?
As I am graduating in January and slowly turning into a burger/dino/fossil, I think EPM Krakow will be my last big project and Spring Agora Enschede looks like a good closure of my AEGEE career… or is it?