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 sixth edition: read what Bea Matuszka, Mateusz Dokurno, Georgia Grolliou, Claudio Gennaro, Julia Fuß and Adrián López said. Several times mentioned as highlight 2014: Agora Cagliari (see photo above)!

Beáta Matuszka, former CD member

Beata MatuszkaWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
The whole second term as CD member was much better and much more enjoyable, therefore those seven months spent in Brussels were definitely the highlights of the year for me. I could also travel in the UK with the Y Vote bus tour like in the good old Netcommie years. I love every second that event! And all the wonderful participants, who made that event unforgettable and worthful! Even if it was in a very tough period, mainly because there was a lot to manage and I also had my thesis submission deadline, which made me a bit stressed during those weeks in the UK.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
For me it was specially important to see all the new projects rising and kicking; all those active people in the European bodies, who started to cooperate in the past two years to reach even more visible solutions and also the visibility we achieved!
Who were for you the outstanding members in 2014?
The three people I would name, even if I would be able to name another 50 at least, would be those people I worked with and who impressed me with their dedication and hard work. I had the chance to work with Pavel Zbornik for 2,5 years, in Netcom and CD as well, and he always motivated me with his brilliant ideas and with his results. The other person is Ivan Bielik, who proved several times that he can make amazing things and I am really impressed how he formed and developed the projects related to internal education. Last but not least I would like to mention Lucia Gavulova, who was working her butt off to develop her local and did an amazing job to implement the steps of the Membership Growth Project!
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
As a former Network Director it is always the most difficult thing to answer. I had the extreme luck to work with many of them and get to know the whole Network, and I am proud to all the members and locals who worked hard throughout the year to make AEGEE strong all over Europe. One of the most awaited event for me in 2014 was Agora Cagliari, therefore, if I need to point out, I would mention those locals who took part in the organisation and AEGEE-Cagliari for their amazing work! I would also like to mention AEGEE-Bratislava for their enthusiastic involvement in Membership Growth Project and all the dedication they put into reaching the success.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
I find the Election Observation Mission one of the most interesting projects in AEGEE currently. I hope they can involve more members and it can make us even more active citizens – my country would be in huge need – and we can be present in many elections.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
The topic of the EPM and Agora Kyiv show a very visible direction of having the relationship of Europe and Russia as key topics. However, I am still interested in the topic suggestion that we got last year about the effectiveness of protests and what the youth voice can actually change in a country.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
I very much tried to recover in these past months and I hope I will get back my energy to splash in again to be trainer inside and outside AEGEE. I also hope that I can join both Agora Asturias and Agora Kyiv. Asturias was the location of my first Summer University and it has a very special place in my heart!
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
I cannot stay far from AEGEE, last year I attended the New Year’s event in Maribor. Unfortunately for this year I already ran out of days off, therefore I cannot travel abroad, but my amazing AEGEE-Budapest friends started to organise a huge party not so far from Budapest, so I will go there to be with my old friends!

 

Mateusz Dokurno, Subcommissioner and former Network Commissioner

Mateusz DokurnoWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
For sure the Spring Network Meeting Silesia, organized by AEGEE-Gliwice and AEGEE-Katowice! It was the best NWM so far, with awesome logistics, brilliant fundraising, refreshed content and lot of AEGEE spirit! I had been dealing with the task of being Network Commissioner and member of the fundraising group, and it was definitely worth it. It was a legendary event – maybe the first Network Meeting ever organized by two AEGEE locals together with opening and closing plenaries taking place 320 metres underground, in the historic coal mine Guido in Zabrze. Such moments are the essence of the work in the Network Commission, following our NWM motto “Dream! It works!”
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
The hot discussion about date of Agora Oviedo during the closing plenary at Agora Cagliari. A totally unthought decision taken by the previous CD, which now causes unforeseen consequences. A General Assembly during Easter significantly reduces the amount of applications, which will affect the quality of the discussions at the Agora and may also cause AEGEE-Oviedo huge financial losses. Such influence of the decision of one stubborn person on the whole of AEGEE-Europe completely destroys our calendar for the first half of 2015 and is a shame for our association.
Who were for you the outstanding members in 2014?
Paulina Galas and Łukasz Krawiec, who had coordinated the NWM Silesia. Their unique vision, clever decision and experience resulted in the fantastic outcome described above. Moreover, I would like to also nominate Mattia Abis, who was dealing with the tasks of being in the speaker team of the Network Commission and vice-coordinator of the Agora. I am still impressed how he could manage that and of course I am proud that we worked together during the whole year in the Network Commission. Thank you, Abis!
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
AEGEE-Kraków! As their former NetCommie I know all activities taking place in this local and I was delighted after every single visit in Kraków. Awesome people, fantastic AEGEE spirit, many ideas and huge experience are the key mix what all locals desire. I hope they will finally organize an Agora in the next years, they totally deserve it!
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
The Eastern Partnership Project – this year AEGEE saw how important our relations with our eastern neighbours are.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
AEGEE-Kyiv as host local of the Fall Agora 2015, the EPM topic “Europe and Russia: Today’s challenges from youth perspective” – and also the Night of the Seven Antennae will make sure that 2015 will be really interesting! The EU-East relations will be a highlight, especially in the year when we are celebrating our 30th Anniversary. I am pretty sure that 2015 will be a great year and I am looking forward to what the CD and the anniversary team will prepare for our members!
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
I want to come back to the local level and be more active in my local. I hope that the new elected board of AEGEE-Katowice will allow me to coordinate the Student Adaptation Camp for freshmen in the Polish mountains in September. Furthermore, I would also like to be still active on the European Level of AEGEE, but I am afraid that my plans will be impossible to realise if the Spring Agora will take place at Easter. So maybe at Agora Kyiv? So far I am only SubCommie of Network Commissioner Marta Wnuk, so I want to focus on fundraising-related matters, which is my task in our team.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
Unfortunately I do not know yet. There are plans to spend this time with my friends from AEGEE-Katowice in the mountains, but we have not booked any accommodation yet. However, the place does not matter, people do!

 

Georgia Grolliou, SUCT Project Manager, Board Member of AEGEE-Thessaloniki

Georgia Grolliou bearWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
SUCT of course! I wouldn’t say my election but the early decision to apply for a European position! When in my early beginning as an AEGEE member I was thinking of all these European positions, they seemed something unachievable for me! Finally, I took the decision to candidate and get out of my comfort zone and here I am, really happy and satisfied to be part of this great team!
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
Agora Cagliari! When all organisers went up on the stage to say “Thank you!” to the main coordinator, Simone Ruscica, and all AEGEEans were rewarding all of them with an applause! It’s really nice to appreciate the volunteering work of people and reward them! And last but not least, realising that great things can happen with team work!
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
I really cannot just name outstanding members, because there are so many! For me, outstanding members are all these people that I cooperated with and made me feel work was a pleasure, organisers and trainers, motivating and inspiring me, and of course participants that we shared so great and unforgettable moments with! I always keep in mind that each single member in AEGEE is a small stone of our huge network and contributes with his or her way in this great work!
Which were for you the outstanding antennae in 2014?
AEGEE-Cagliari because of the Agora! I really adore the perfect organisation they had and good communication within the team! They deserve a big applause and “Thank you” for offering us such great moments! And couldn’t miss from here, AEGEE-Dresden, the contact antenna in Europe that became proudly an antenna during Agora Cagliari and its founding members, because they managed in such a few time to make their antenna well known within AEGEE!
What were for you the outstanding projects in 2014?
I would start from Europe on Track! We had the opportunity as AEGEE-Thessaloniki to host the ambassadors of the red team during our PreAgora event and I feel really proud we had the chance to be part of it! We shared our opinions and had a fruitful conversation! And don’t forget YVote2014! It was a great initiative to organise such a project, encouraging young people to practice their right and vote, becoming important actors in decision making! Especially because of the controversial situation nowadays, young people should understand that if we need a change, we have to be part of this!
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
Firstly, the Agora in Kyiv! I am sure AgorAsturias will do great as well, but having an Agora in Kyiv is a great support from the network for Ukrainian locals! After the sad events during 2014, AEGEE took a wise decision to give such a huge event like the Agora to AEGEE-Kyiv, bringing hundreds of young people from all over Europe there! The 30th Anniversary of AEGEE-Europe is also something I am really looking forward to!
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
Firstly, I want to give my best to SUCT and have a great term with my team, with which we are first friends and then coworkers! So this year will be mainly SUmmerly yours! Then, of course also my work in my antenna AEGEE-Thessaloniki that is improving exponentially year by year!
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
Unfortunately not in any New Year’s event, even if there are so great choices this year! Probably having a party with friends somewhere in Thessaloniki!

 

Claudio Gennaro, Juridical Commission Member

Claudio Gennaro2What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
The organizers’ celebration during the closing plenary of the Agora Cagliari was for sure very emotional. They have been a clear example of hard work and passion. I have complete admiration for all of them!
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
The final speech of the former CD at Agora Patra. As they passed the baton, we saw in their fervour and faith how our next generation of leaders will guide our association.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
I would like to mention all the current CD members for their great job in a very difficult position. So I will mention just Paul Smiths representing all of them.
Which were for you the outstanding antennae in 2014?
Cagliari and Patra, their job to ensure the continuity of our association has been priceless.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
I personally really liked the Elections Observation Project of Thomas Leszke. In my opinion it brought AEGEE on an other level, facing the reality of many countries and contributing to the making of democracy. I also liked the FAME project of Benjamin Feyen for its aim, spreading Europtism through music and art in general.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
I’m sure that the celebrations for the 30th anniversary of AEGEE will be an outstanding moment and will make us even more proud to be member of this amazing network.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
I don’t like to make long-term plans and there is no hurry to decide what to do in 2015. I really hope to be able to take part in many inspiring events. AEGEE will surprise me.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
Not at an AEGEE event unfortunately. I will spend the night with some friends and, since we are procrastinating the decision, I guess that we will decide what to do on the morning of the 31st.

 

Julia Fuß, NetCom Speaker Assistant and Subcommissioner

What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
Being one of the organizers of AEGEE-Mannheim’s Summer University was an amazing experience. Without exaggerating, this organizer team was one of the most tight-knit teams I have had the pleasure to be part of so far. We not only managed to keep participants happy while fighting lack of sleep, but furthermore cooked traditional German meals almost daily and managed to catch every train during our journey through Germany. Another highlight was to become Network Commission Assistant and start working on the European level.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
There were many memorable moments, so it is hard to choose a single one. The introduction of the Members’ Portal, revival of ACT as well as plans put in place by the current Comité Directeur contributed to some great achievements, and promise for more to come.
Who were for you the outstanding members in 2014?
The previous Speaker Team of NetCom – Mattia Abis, Arsenis Tselengidis and Ana Potočnik – was definitely inspirational. They were always available to answer questions, give updates about work concerning NetCom and push NetCommies to give their best. In fact it seemed like they embodied the motto “NetCom never sleeps”: no matter what time of day or night, you always received a response to e-mails or Facebook messages within a matter of minutes or hours. It was quite motivating and inspiring to work together with such a well-functioning team of AEGEEans, determined to achieve higher standards.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
For me, all antennae which keep their members motivated as well as interested and involved in AEGEE’s work are outstanding. This is often easier said than done, so kudos to those antennae which are able to make a difference in our organization’s foundation, on the local level!
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
Having been part of three local events organized by the Europe on Track project, I must say that this was definitely a really fun and interactive project to take part in. I am also looking forward to what the Democracy in Practice project has in store for us.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
Right now, it seems to me as if AEGEE is moving into a more thematic direction. I think a big topic in 2015 could be how we can gather more thematic input from the network in order to not only strengthen AEGEE’s policy work externally, but most importantly start discussing current topics among ourselves like political discrepancies or the vision of our organization in light of the upcoming 30th anniversary. It would be great seeing a large number of members organize events to continue active discussions that allow everyone to exchange opinions and collaborate.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
I would like to keep assisting the Network Commission in all its work, and continue contributing to the development of our network as best as I can. Further, it would be awesome to gain more knowledge as a trainer, since I found this new passion for helping groups and antennae develop in topics like team building and organizational management. Beyond this, learning more about policy work would also be highly interesting.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
This year I am looking forward to celebrate another New Year’s night in Bangkok. As my family currently lives in Thailand, I will go visit them for Christmas and plan to return fully rejuvenated in 2015!

 

Adrián López, Speaker of the LWG, HR in AEGEE-A Coruña, Member of the AeGeENDA Team

Adri LopezWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
Starting 2014 in Utrecht with 30 AEGEEans is a really nice memory! I’m also very proud of how the Language Working Group members are willing to help and be responsible of small and not so small tasks. It makes me happy! Finally, to deal with some local problems that are already overtaken has been kind of self-rewarding.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
At the beginning of the year a lot of AEGEEans expressed their concern about the situation in Ukraine. We could have done more, but the fact that the topic for the next EPM is related to that issue and the autumn Agora is going to be held in Kyiv shows that AEGEE is in accordance with the rising European topics.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
AEGEE-Burgos, because of their exponential growing and involvement; and also AEGEE-Lille, one of the most recent French antennae.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
The Summer University. Year after year there is no project with such a huge magnitude and significance than this one. Besides, the Health4Youth II project is going to be launched right now so it means that H4Y succeeded this year. I wish them luck!
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
This 30th anniversary celebration seems quite interesting! Let’s see if it achieves a great impact.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
As Human Resources Responsible in AEGEE-A Coruña, I would like to keep a good mood among us, to help the newbies to be active or, at least, to spread all the useful information that I could find interesting for them. At regional level, to continue with the coordination of the AEGEE events calendar AeGEeNDA – on 1st of December we shared the 40th edition! At European level, I will do my best to keep the Language Working Group and its projects until October alive, when I’m planning to change to Liaison Officer, if I’m accepted. Of course, I would like to attend EPM Burgos and AgorAsturias representing either the LWG or AEGEE-A Coruña.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
Last year I spent New Year in the NYE Utrecht event and it was really great! This year I’m walking the Way of Santiago from 26th to 30th December, so it’s highly probable that I stay in A Coruña eating the 12 grapes with my family and then go out with my friends.

 

Read all articles: