Who is the AEGEE member of the year 2014? Which antenna, which project was the best? The Golden Times asked more than 70 locally or Europeanly active members. In this second part: read what Svenja van der Tol, Benjamin Feyen, Ruth San José Blasco, Michele Minuti and Atanas Nachkov said.

Svenja van der Tol, Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Key to Europe 2013/14

Svenja van der TolWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
I think having to pick one highlight is pure torture, so I am going to be a rebel and name two. My first highlight would have to be this year’s Key to Europe, of which I was Co-Editor-in-Chief together with Erika Bettin from AEGEE-Venezia – and everything related to it: the decision to apply together, brainstorming about the content, putting together a team, collecting the articles, having a meeting in beautiful Venice and of course feedbacking like there was no tomorrow. Another highlight was the Network Meeting in Nijmegen, which was an event I wanted to organize in Nijmegen for a long time and finally was able to make happen with a wonderful team of organisers to support me.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
I would have to say the Autumn Agora Cagliari, since it was my first Agora after Autumn Agora Budapest due to studies and attendance duties, and it was also my first time on stage in front of hundreds of people. Next to that, I also considered it to be a very well organized Agora, where I got to meet a lot of old friends, make new friends, finally receive the final product of my Key to Europe and, last but for sure not least, I got elected as the Secretary of the Agora and EPM!
Who were for you the outstanding members in 2014?
First of all, Erika Bettin, because I have been impressed with the amount of work she does for AEGEE since the first day we met, and I got to know her a lot better during the past year when we weren’t only colleagues at the AEGEEan, but also for the Key to Europe. She has been inspiring me from start to get active within AEGEE, and I think my AEGEE mommy deserves some recognition for it. Second of all, Jorge Sánchez Hernández from AEGEE-Dresden. I think he has done a great job setting up a contact in Dresden and making it grow into a contact antenna with a never ending source of enthusiasm and motivation and great ideas for his very own antenna. Last but not least, Réka Salomon from AEGEE-Aachen and Debrecen, because she has done a great job with the second round of Europe on Track and has remained to be involved with AEGEE instead of giving up after Agora Patra, for example by taking a place in the Anniversary Team.
Which were for you the outstanding antennae in 2014?
This wouldn’t be a proper year review if I didn’t mention AEGEE-Cagliari, AEGEE-Lublin and AEGEE-Patra for organizing two outstanding Agorae and an EBM, so there you go! Next to that, I want to mention AEGEE-Nijmegen, because in the past year they have worked really hard to get more involved with the European level. It makes me feel proud every time I see them accomplish something new, like the organisation of the Network Meeting this November and the election as Local of the Month in August. Last but not least, I want to mention AEGEE-Tarragona, since they aren’t a very big local, but they still managed to reach the top five of Summer Universities for both applications and evaluations with the TSU they organized together with AEGEE-Valencia. Besides that, they have a high amount of active members on the European level, but also work hard on the local level.
What were for you the outstanding projects in 2014?
I would have to say the Election Observation Project, because even though they are a quite new project they have already been doing a great job sending observers to different elections and setting up original fundraising actions too. Next to that, I really like the work that the FAME project has been doing and the awesome songs they have created so far!
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
Of course the Spring Agora will be an important event since the new Comité Directeur will be elected. However, I think the most important topic will be the situation in Ukraine and Russia, since we will have the Autumn Agora in Kyiv and the EPM in Burgos will deal with the topic of Russia and Europe. It’s a topic that is relevant to all of our members, since we have locals and contacts in both Ukraine and Russia. Everyone probably knows someone in one or both of the countries, who share their experiences and make it come alive. It will therefore be interesting to see how the situation develops.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
I can say a lot about this, but it basically comes down to three things: staying active, travelling a lot and making a lot of new friends!
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
I have no idea yet, since I like to make spontaneous last-minute plans. If those plans fail, I will be at my parents’ eating a lot of good food and playing board games.

 

Benjamin Feyen, Coordinator FAME Project

Benjamin FeyenWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
My personal AEGEE year was full of highlights, for example the crazy night ferry trip from Bari to Patra – special thanks to Peppe – or our düsSUbam TSU. But what touched me most was all the feedback I received for the first FAMEsong “Europe On Track”: enthusiastic reactions by so many AEGEE members from all over Europe, the great video clip edited by Ksenia Lupanova, dancing to the song at one party at the Agora Patra, the children choir in Aachen singing this song during their school lesson, and the fact that so many locals play the song and the video clip during their events. And of course what had happened before the release: Recording the song with Wessel. After I had written the song I already had an idea of how it should sound like, but only Wessel’s contribution made the recording that wonderful.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
The CD elections during the Agora Patra were among the most exciting moments I have experienced in my AEGEE life, and I have to say that I really appreciate those who were not elected for dealing with it the way they did.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
For me that’s Melanie Garwolinski from AEGEE-Düsseldorf. She joined AEGEE one year ago while I was still President of AEGEE-Düsseldorf, and since then she has proven true AEGEE spirit, seeing tough challenges as great opportunities, and taking so many chances AEGEE offers to its members. She took over responsibility as Secretary of our antenna, became involved on the European level in the Language Working Group and the FAMEproject, and I truly admire her for speaking about all this publicly at the Agora Inspire session in Cagliari. It’s amazing for me to see how Melanie has grown as a person in this one year, and AEGEE-Düsseldorf can be really lucky to have her. Melanie, I’m very proud of you!
Which were for you the outstanding antennae in 2014?
AEGEE-Düsseldorf for developing in such a positive way – I would never have expected this one year ago. AEGEE-Bamberg for organising an awesome TSU with us. AEGEE-Lublin, AEGEE-Patra and AEGEE-Cagliari for organising wonderful statutory events.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
The Election Observation Project is something very valuable, and I’m glad to see such a project emerging in AEGEE, which deals with the very basic roots of our society. In my opinion, quite often AEGEE is too much about just having fun. While this is doubtlessly important, we should never forget to tackle more serious issues as well.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
Just recently the FAMEproject has been developing in a very promising way; since the Agora Cagliari our project team has grown considerably and now consists of nine highly motivated and enthusiastic members. If we can keep the great spirit we currently have, and if we manage to realise all our ideas, then the FAMEproject will become a really big thing in 2015. But naturally, in the end this also depends on our participants – any AEGEE member can contribute to our songs and video clips. Anyway, “Europe On Track” and “The European Summer Song” were just the beginning…
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
Well, of course trying my best to make the FAMEproject become a success and something our whole network will be proud of. And as the press speaker of the locals located in the area known outside of AEGEE as “Germany”: trying to get AEGEE into the nationwide media.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
Probably in a rather small group together with some close friends.

 

Ruth San José Blasco, President of AEGEE-A Coruña

Ruth San Jose BlascoWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
The organization of a Summer University as complex as ours with the financial resources we had. Travelling from Lisbon to A Coruña meant a lot of hours of hard work before and during the TSU. If you asked me again if I would get involved in this madness, I think I would have to think twice. But without a doubt, I choose it as one of my highlights of this year, not just because of the good memories we created together. It’s more than that. It’s the personal learning you acquire when you’re involved in a challenge of such characteristics… As Walt Disney said, it’s kind of fun to do the impossible.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
I know it’s been a very special year for my region, but I cannot choose just one moment. This year has been amazing: EBM in Lublin, RTC of León, RENOVE, Agora Cagliari … It’s not just the events, it’s more than that. It’s the people you share these experiences with.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
AEGEE-Burgos. Without any doubt. It was an antenna that in recent years has grown potentially, organizing a Network Meeting, acquiring a solid base of active members, organizing a great SU year after year and actually the EPM. They‘re the demonstration that small antennae can do great things with hard working and motivated people.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
My current project was to organize an exchange within Erasmus+. The cultural development you can offer in this sort of events is incredible. Little events where you can share opinions about a specific topic and work on that, learning all together. I think they are very enriching experiences in which I had the opportunity to participate thanks to AEGEE-León – and nowadays I would like to involve my antenna.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
Education. I know I’m talking always about the same, but I consider the possibilities as immense that an association like ours can offer within the educational framework. In addition, one of the most interesting points, in my opinion, in the Action Agenda is Youth Employment, how to make that transaction between academic and working life, how AEGEE can help to recognize the skills we acquire while we’re working in our association. I think it’s a hot topic that affects all of us.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
This year as President of AEGEE A Coruña I have the intention of building a stronger antenna, with a solid base of very new and active members to ensure its future. I’ve been very interested in the European level over the past years; and now I have the time and the team to put these plans in motion. We presented our candidature to be one of the seven cities that are going to host a video linked event at the 30th anniversary of AEGEE-Europe. It will be in the context of non-formal education and supported by local institutions as well as cultural personalities. If we will not be selected, we will continue working in that line within the Erasmus+ programme, with the aim of bringing Europe closer to A Coruña and vice versa.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
I will be at home in Valladolid, with my old friends. When you’ve been studying abroad since you were 17 years old and you usually travel every weekend, you welcome the arrival of Christmas Holidays as an opportunity to return home, spending time with your people… It’s the only time of the year where I don’t allow myself to travel. For me Christmas holidays are family days so in New Year’s night I will have dinner with my family and after that I will go to dance with my high school friends. I cannot imagine a better plan.

 

Michele Minute, President of AEGEE-Brescia, Academy Board Member

Michele MinutiWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
I have three highlights. The first, when I gained the title of “Best Organizer” in SU Brescia. The second, when I gained the title of “Best Participant” in TSU Leon – love you guys! And the third was at the end of the Network Meeting in Brescia in October, because I saw how much the Rainbow area appreciated the work of AEGEE-Brescia.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
The end of Agora Cagliari, when there was a spicy discussion about the dates of the next EPM and Agora on the stage. Finally an exciting discussion in an Agora!
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
I am totally sure about Mattia Abis, because he took so many responsibilities in his hands: vice-speaker of the Netcom, he was also our Italian Netcommie for 29 locals, he organized two Network Meetings and of course was one of the main organizers of the Agora Cagliari. Pini Pini Pini…
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
I don’t want to mention AEGEE-Cagliari or AEGEE-Patra for the wonderful Agoras. AEGEE-Torino and AEGEE-Verona are the perfect examples of small locals, which are growing up. In the past they were important antennae, just think of the Agora Torino in 2004 and EBM Torino in 2009, and suddenly the classic downfall. New motivated people are undertaking huge efforts in order to create big and strong locals. I see them when they speak so full of motivation and AEGEE spirit!
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
Definitely Y Vote, because it was easy for locals to organize small or medium-size events, which encouraged the active participation in the European Parliament elections and strengthened the idea of European citizenship.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
I am very interested in how the topic Europe-Russia will be managed.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
Last November I became president of my local. My board is composed of 15 board members. It’s a big challenge! I can’t forget my second passion: the AEGEE Academy. I want to finish my term doing my tasks well. I have also some interesting plans for Agora Kyiv…
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
I will be in Beograd next to an important person who I met in AEGEE. You know… AEGEE is also love.

 

Atanas Nachkov, Mediation Commission

Atanas NachkovWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
Getting elected into the Mediation Commission.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
The first time to skip an Agora. I will never forget it.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
Claudio Gennaro rejecting the presidency of the Juridical Commission and this way passing it to Joris Veenhuis, who was second by the election results, but elected for the second time at Agora Patra. I haven’t seen so far anyone in AEGEE so willing to suppress his internal egocentric intentions, risk the support of the people and the locals, who voted for him, and most of all – repel an Agora decision, for the good of the team, the continuity of the Juridical Commission and the interests of the association. Many people may disagree, but I’m sure that everyone, who has been on European level will confirm there are a lot of unwritten principles about tenure and continuity between terms, and they will stand behind decisions like this one.
Which were for you the outstanding antennae in 2014?
Those, which organised the Agorae? I really have no answer to that question, because I have been out of the European level for almost one year.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
Democracy in Practice. Period.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
As a Mediation Commissioner I should say data privacy, but let’s see what the CD will forge in Brussels.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
Me term will finish at Agora Kyiv. I’m working on a local project, but as long as I am in Medcom, I can’t really push it forward, due to conflict of interests presumptions.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
With Koen Berghuis, another member of Medcom, and friends of mine, but we’re still discussing what and where exactly.

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