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 fifth edition: read what Ruben Navarro, Marta Wnuk, Antonio Morelli, Suzan Dilara Tokaç, Costas Deltouzos and Lida Deermann said. Several times mentioned: the Agora Kyiv as highlight of 2015 and the respect for the Ukrainian antenna (see photo).

Ruben Navarro, Speaker of the Action Agenda Coordination Committee (ACT)

Ruben NavarroWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
My personal highlight was being able to see ACT grow and work. Contributing to it and collaborating with my team makes me really proud.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
For me, personally, I vividly remember the moment when, during Agora Cagliari, we voted upon the motion for celebrating the EPM less than five weeks before the Agora. After discussing for half an hour, with more than one hour of delay in the evening at the closing plenary, all the papers were green, showing the values of AEGEE, giving importance to the biggest thematic event of our organization and also showing that we share the same values and interests.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
This place is for my dearest friend Svenja van der Tol. She’s doing an amazing job in everything she’s involved in. Her contributions to The AEGEEan, being Editor-in-Chief of the Key to Europe, her membership in the ACT, being elected as Secretary of the Agora, Subcommie, main organizer of the NWM Nijmegen… and for sure things I forgot to mention. She’s a hard worker.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
Here my love goes to AEGEE-Dresden, all the efforts they have put to become an antenna, how they’ve grown in so little time, and all the things they are doing and planning to do, encourages me to make my antenna bigger and better.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
Without any doubt it was Y Vote. If last year was the year for Europe on Track, this one was for Y Vote. The effort they put into it can be used as a reference for any other upcoming project.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
It will, with no doubt, be Europe and Russia. We already saw during Agora Cagliari the interest of most of the network, since it was voted main topic of the EPM Burgos 2015. I’m sure that it will go on and be present for long.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
I wish I knew what my plans are… For now, I want to finish my term as Speaker of the ACT, and keep on giving support for the next team if needed. Meanwhile… anything could happen.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
At first I was planning to have a rest and spend it with my family; but at last I couldn’t resist, so I’m finally going to Madrid to celebrate it with all the people from AEGEE-Madrid and a lot of people from La Nave.

 

Marta Wnuk, Network Commissioner and Secretary of AEGEE-Warszawa

Marta WnukWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
Definitely Agora Cagliari. I successfully ran for a member of the Network Commission as well as presented the winning topic for EPM Burgos. It was outstanding, a milestone event for me. Now I’m starting my term as Network Commissioner full of motivation and AEGEE-Europe is beginning preparations for the EPM.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
I think that the CD elections in Spring Agora Patra have to be mentioned here as the most exciting event followed by most of the members in AEGEE. The interest in who will lead the organization after a very well functioning CD for two terms was huge and three candidatures for the position of the president brought a lot of emotions. Talks about the next CD seemed to be at the heart of almost every AEGEE conversation at that time.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
This is a very hard question to answer. There are indeed many members that deserve special recognition. However, I would like to name here Adrian Browarczyk for the hard he work put into the Eastern Partnership Project as its Project Manager, as it requires a real dedication to run successfully such an initiative.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
Since I’m a Netcommie for Polish-speaking locals I can’t miss the occasion to say how proud I am of them! But, to give a more unbiased answer, I would like to express my great appreciation to AEGEE-Cagliari for their hard work full of positive energy that was put into the organization of the Autumn Agora.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
I think the second edition of Europe on Track was a valuable project that brought a lot of recognition for AEGEE. Also the Elections Observation Project is doing a great and very much needed job by organizing election observation missions in various European countries. It’s indeed important to keep raising the awareness in this sphere and to take care of the democratic standards.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
EPM Burgos that will be dedicated to the topic: “Europe and Russia. Today’s challenges from the youth perspective” is an event that will surely be one of the highlights of the year. Covering this issue is highly important for our organisation. And even though it is really a complex and challenging one, I hope that we will have meaningful, knowledge-based discussions and we will leave Burgos with the feeling that AEGEE is a place for a constructive debate on topics that are crucial for Europe.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
It will be intense, full of work and travel. But I’m looking forward to 2015 with optimism and motivation! My priority is my work as a Network Commissioner. That means two Network Meetings, endless talks with my team of subcommies and local boards and other countless tasks. I will also continue my involvement in the Eastern Partnership Project of course! We have plans to organise many initiatives – EaP conventions on foreign policy among them.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
I am going to the New Year’s event organized by AEGEE-Gdańsk. It will be my second time there, but I’m not less excited about it! I very much look forward to seeing again all my friends and spending more time with people from my network. NYE in Gdańsk is simply the best party guaranteed: perfect organisation, more than 100 people from all over Europe and the over-present AEGEE spirit!

 

Antonio Morelli, former President of AEGEE-Catania

Antonio MorelliWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
Maybe I will be a bit repetitive, but my personal highlight was the proclamation as the Best Summer University 2014 …again. To look at the faces of my 18 friends, happy for the victory, in front of a thousand people in Cagliari…. It’s something incredible to be honoured in the best way possible after one year of hard work and sacrifice.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
I don’t have any doubts: Agora Cagliari! Maybe because I was an organizer and it was special for me, but I think that was an amazing event.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
Our President: Paul Smits. I think that this year AEGEE has made a great step forward. Paul is a special person. A great guy, serious and funny. He has given so much for AEGEE and I thank him for this.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
It may sound bad, but I want to reward my own antenna: AEGEE-Catania. I want to reward all the members that worked to make our Summer University unforgettable. I want to thank all of them, because every year they give me incredible emotions that words can’t describe. Only those who have attended our event can understand how much work is put behind the organization of it and how wonderful this Dream Team is. And I have to reward my antenna for the third Best SU in a row.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
After two years as President, it is time to make way for the new members. This year I will stay close to the antenna as advisor. I will help the new board to continue the work that led AEGEE-Catania among the best European antennae.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
I will be in Catania, we want to organize a dinner and a little party between friends – something very simple and fun. That’s it. Marry Christmas to the all AEGEEans! Hugs from Sicily!

 

Suzan Dilara Tokac, Member of SUCT and ACT

agoracagliari347What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
Becoming a new member of SUCT.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
During the Inspire Session at EBM Lublin, the girls from Ukraine presented the situation in their countries and explained us the real situation by remarkable videos. The whole plenary cried. It was a very notable moment.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
Doesn’t matter whether it is big or small – every effort that is made in favour of this association by anyone of the 13.000 members is the most outstanding action for me.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
It was definitely AEGEE-Kyiv, taking into consideration the situation in their country. They were present in all statuary events with a higher number of members than most other antennae, they did two successful Summer Universities and were elected as next Autumn Agora host. They took part in many other events and represented their locals in the best way. Definitely those people are fighting for their future!
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
The most mobile, the most active and the one with the best song : “Europe on Track”
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
Autumn Agora Kyiv 2015. I really look forward to it.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
To make positive novelties and improvements for the Summer University Project; inform my antenna about European bodies and structure and raise awareness of the new projects; assist the network to come up with more activities that fit with the Action Agenda; to visit more events, make more friendships, and attend more European Nights of course!
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
As AEGEE-Eskisehir we will have a big New Year Party, full of delicious Turkish food and warmth.

 

Costas Deltouzos, Main Organiser of Agora Patra

Costas DeltouzosWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
My personal highlight for this year was of course Spring Agora Patra! Bringing the Agora back to its roots was a dream come true for me and all the organizers. I want to thank every each one of them for their hard work!
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
It is difficult to distinguish a single member of AEGEE as the most outstanding one, as there are really many that give their whole energy for the development of our association. If I had to choose only one, then that would be the former president of AEGEE-Europe, Luis Alvarado Martinez, that was awarded as the Young European of the Year!
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
I know it’s not really subjective, but I would choose my own local, AEGEE-Patra, as the most outstanding one for 2014. Even though it numbers less than 50 members, it managed to host a successful Agora!
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
In my opinion the Summer University Project is still the most outstanding project of AEGEE. But especially for this year I would like to add the second part of the Europe on Track project.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
I consider the Autumn Agora Kyiv as the biggest highlight for the following year. As it takes place in Ukraine, it is important to send a strong message about the values that AEGEE stands for.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
After the coordination of the Spring Agora Patra, I focused mostly on my work, but I hope to become more active again in 2015. My plan is to be part in one of the spring trainings of the Academy as a trainer.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
As a true AEGEEan I will be abroad to enjoy the New Year, this time in Poland.

 

Lida Deermann, Main SU Organiser AEGEE-Aachen

Lida DeermannWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
My very highlight was participating in the European School 1 in Enschede. Those eight days were filled with AEGEE spirit I never felt anywhere else! Besides learning lots of hard skills for AEGEE life, there was also a very personal development. All participants and trainers became so close and had moving conversations. That was building friendships at its best. My motivation to go on in AEGEE was raised upon a very high level. It made me super ambitious! But I definitely have to name another event, which was our Summer University in Aachen. As main organiser for the first time I had a lot of pressure before the event. Two months after ES1 this training week still helped me to focus and coordinate a good event. When participants tell you how much they loved the SU months later you feel more than happy and know you did a good job. That’s a gift!
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
There are some of course. The one I enjoyed the most – because it was so entertaining – was the closing plenary of Agora Cagliari. When Paul Smits told the Agora that EPM Burgos and Agora Oviedo are too close to each other and the discussion exploded, the whole audience simply became a show. Not to forget the wedding celebration of AEGEE-Aachenawa, which was a highlight for our two antennae of course. We planned and were looking for it for more than half a year!
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
For me the most shining person of the year is Andrea Ugrinoska. First time I met her was at EBM Lublin, but we really got to know each other well at the European School 1. She seems competent to do everything, while being a heartful and happy person. You can see that she puts her effort into projects, because they should be done for a better society and not because she wants to put herself into the foreground.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
I can only name a contact antenna. And this is AEGEE-Dresden. Jorge built up a local in a very short time with a lot of work, full of positive energy. I am impressed by the state of this very young contact antenna and wish them a lot of success for their future!
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
This is hard for me to answer. We just had our local Agora on the 1st of December where my term as a board member ended. This year I mostly organised and less participated. So I guess I will take some time to participate in events. I will definitely attend at least one of the upcoming Academy events, maybe even three! But there is also a little secret about organising a very exciting event together with AEGEE-Dresden. But this has to be defined first before telling more about it!

Read all articles: