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 ninth edition: read what Pablo Hernández Rodríguez, Erika Bettin, Jelena Stankovic, Tom Simons, Natalia Ivleva and Angelos Pappas said. Several times mentiones as memorable moment: the controversial closing plenary of Agora Cagliari (see photo above).

Pablo Hernández, Policy Officer in Youth Employment

Pablo Hernandez2What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
My personal highlight has to do with what I do in AEGEE. In Agora Cagliari, after a year working on the position paper in Youth Participation, it was finally approved. The feeling I had was a mix between freedom and happiness.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
The moment that I recall the most is the last plenary in Agora Cagliari. Everybody was excited with some controversial facts between the Chair team and former CD and also with some other participants. We had exciting results from the NetCom elections, but nothing in comparison with the last incident between the current CD and the AgoraAsturias main organizer, dealing with the dates of the event, somebody else asking for eight minutes to state an opinion… It was a chaos! All the event was condensed in three hours.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
Anna Pykhtina, also known as Anna Smailikova.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
AEGEE-Kyiv.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
Europe on Track.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
Agora Kyiv.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
I will continue working on what I do. The Policy Office has now loads of opportunities due to the amazing members and the great job Antonija is doing working with us, so I will try to help as much as possible in the development of AEGEE policies – not only on my topic. I am also working in some other areas such as the project Democracy in Practice, where I will contribute to the amplification of its impact, and of course, I will work in the reconstruction of the Youth unEmployment project.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
We will meet in Madrid, together with more than 100 AEGEEans to celebrate the welcome to 2015. We will all share AEGEE spirit and have fun all together.

 

Erika Bettin, Editor-in-Chief of the Key to Europe and The AEGEEan, President of AEGEE-Venezia

Erika BettinWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
2014 for me was definitely huge and it is very hard to choose only one moment, so I will pick four. It started with the Leadership Training in Brussels. It was hard, engaging, but still, it had an impact on my way to perceive myself in the organisation. The moment I was asked to be Editor-in-Chief of the Key to Europe with Svenja van der Tol was the most “Say what?” moment of the year. We devoted an entire summer to the publication and I enjoyed every single minute. The Chair Team meeting in September was the moment I felt in the right place at the right time in the association. And, last but not least, being elected as Editor-in-Chief of The AEGEEan. I will be the fourth one since the magazine was created and I cannot wait to leave my footprint there.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
The closing plenary of Agora Cagliari, for sure. In a few hours I lived an incredible number of emotions: I was anxious, panicking, sad, touched, angry, frustrated, happy and in despair. Yes, I cannot wait to read the Agora minutes of the closing plenary.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
I think that naming only three people in the entire network would be honestly impossible. In the past 12 months I met so many outstanding people, I would need pages and pages to name them all. In my humble opinion, everyone, every single member, who spent some time working for the organisation is worth a mention. A lot of people work in the shadow, both on local and European Level and their efforts most of the time stay unnamed, if not unnoticed and we should give them recognition. Without those kind of workers, our network would not be the same.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
I would say AEGEE-Cagliari. They organised a beautiful Agora and they set the bar for statutory events very high. But I want to reward them because they show to the Italian speaking network that we should stop to underestimate ourselves and the “doing like an Italian” doesn’t necessarily mean do something in a lazy way, on the contrary. I am happy that a lot of Italian locals now want to host European events, statutory events included.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
I can only name the Election Observation Project. Partially because I’m a member, but also because we worked hard for one year, not even being an official project and we are already preparing for next year’s missions. The core team – Thomas Leszke, Marije Arentze and Anna Gumbau – is working quite hard to keep the team together.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
Definetely the EPM topic “Europe and Russia: Today’s challenges from youth perspective” is something I look forward to. Roland Papp and Nikolay Kazantsev are very competent in the topic and I cannot wait to see how they will develop it. Plus we will have Autumn Agora Kyiv and it can serve as a perfect closure for next year’s topic.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
2015 will be as busy as 2014 was. I am Editor-in-Chief and I will work mostly on that. Then, I will give my contribution to the Election Observation Project and the Culture Working Group.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
The HBMAWG – Happy Birthday Mattia Abis Working Group – renamed itself to NYEWG: New Year Event Working Group. We sent an open call for an unofficial event. AEGEE-Siena followed our madness and I will my last hours of 2014 spend with some good friends. It will be awesome to stay among AEGEE people – and my lovely Giulia, Lisa and Carolina – without the pressure of an official event.

 

Jelena Stanković, President of AEGEE-Beograd

Jelena StankovicWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
It is really hard to choose only one thing, because the whole year was really exciting. But if I have to pick one, that is for sure the response of the people from all the network during the Balkan floods. I was really amazed with the people who were working really hard and wanted to help in any possible way. This also goes for the help for the Genova flood victims.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
The CD elections during Agora Patra were very intense and tight, and it was really difficult to choose among so many great people. There is also Agora Cagliari, which for me was maybe the most memorable event in 2014. The first reason is not that positive, and it is about the negative atmosphere during plenaries.  The other is that for me this was one of the best Agoras so far, amazing organization and awesome people.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
This is a hard question, but some of the people made this year better for me, for many reasons: GinCarlo Nicolo and Peppe Colicchia because of the great help during the Balkan Floods campaign, and also Peppe did the great job as IT during Agora Cagliari. Ana Potočnik, she is amazing as a NetCom, she is working really hard, but the most remarkable thing is her dedication to the locals. At the end I have to mention Adela Perez from AEGEE-Leon, because for me she is a true example of AEGEE spirit and a great person.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
AEGEE-Cagliari and AEGEE-Patra, they did great job in the past year, two awesome Agoras are enough to explain why.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
For so many reasons Europe on Track, it is a definition of what AEGEE represents.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015
Personally I would like it to be education and the improvement of the European level of AEGEE , but I think that the next year will be dedicated to the Russia-Ukraine situation.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
The funny thing is that if you had asked me this question one year ago, I would have said my plan was to stop being active in AEGEE. But now there is for sure the Public Relations Committee. I would like to dedicate more time to it, and start some new projects. Then there is the FAMEproject, this project has a great potential, and I am sure that the next year will be really successful. And I also have some big plans with AEGEE-Beograd.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
Where else than on the New Year’s Event in Belgrade, with this really crazy group of people!

 

Tom Simons, Agora Chair, former MedCom member

Tom SimonsWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
There are so many, seeing people at all the events I participated in, my first event where I was a fulltime trainer, looking back at a great year working with my now former colleagues in the MedCom, and of course getting elected as Chairperson and working in this team.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
I think one of the most memorable moments was saying goodbye to the previous CD after two years, and welcoming the new CD.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
There are so many amazing people in AEGEE, so I can’t pick someone here. I think the most outstanding members are the members who step outside their comfort zone, try something new and accomplish amazing things.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
Definitely all the antennae, who organized events I participated in: AEGEE-Maribor, AEGEE-Warszawa, AEGEE-Lublin, AEGEE-Leiden, AEGEE-Patra, AEGEE-Cagliari, and of course my own antenna: AEGEE-Enschede.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
I would name all the projects which closed during the last year. Now they can look back and be proud of their work. But also the newly started projects, as it is always good to see that there are still people willing to put their time in old and new ideas to shape AEGEE.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
Of course the 30th anniversary. I was in my antenna’s 25th anniversary committee three years ago, which was one of the greatest AEGEE memories I have. I’m confident this anniversary will be one to remember!
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
I will spend most time on the Chair team, but I’ll also remain active on the local level, mostly in an advisory capacity. Besides this I hope to be able to attend another training event as a trainer.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
I’m still not sure at this moment, but I still have nearly two weeks to decide.

 

Natalia Ivleva, Vice-Speaker of the Network Commission of AEGEE-Europe

Natalia IvlevaWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
Of course my personal highlight is that I was elected as Network Commissioner and my work in that great team. It was a big challenge for me, because I was late with deadline for the application and had to manage everything right during the Agora. So that was a bit crazy but I am really happy that finally I did it.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
Agora Patra. Closing plenary. Luis’s speech. And his phrase: “Last time I speak to you as a President of AEGEE-Europe…”
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
My gossip queens! Anna Pykhtina, better known as Smailikova from AEGEE-Kyiv, and Ksenia Lupanova from AEGEE-Moskva. They supported me a lot with my candidature for the Netcom position, they supporting me now at my work. Moreover, the energy of these two crazies helps me to stay motivated in any situation!
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
AEGEE-Kyiv! Without any comments!
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
Successfully to end my term as Network Commissioner and Vice-Speaker of the Network Commission at Agora Asturias and then… let’s see. Maybe some spontaneous decision will come to my mind.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
Right now I have three options. With my family in Voronezh. With my friends in Riga. Or at the New Year Event “Capital Cities” by AEGEE-Moskva and AEGEE-Kyiv. It’s really hard to choose and I don’t know where I will finally celebrate New Year.

 

Angelos Pappas, Board Member of AEGEE-Athina

Angelos PappasWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
I have been organizing SUs for AEGEE-Athina for the past three years, but this time our SU was pure magic! Was it because of our amazing participants, the restless co-organizers, the stunning sunset in Santorini or the lovely policemen, who almost got some of us arrested for sleeping on the port a few days after the event had finished? I cannot say with certainty, most likely all of the above! I’d like to thank everyone for that experience!
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
I wasn’t that much of a European Level person this year, so I can’t really say. However, based on their radiating positiveness and AEGEE spirit I’d like to name Suzan Dilara Tokaç and Özge Bostanbas as my favourite members this year. Also, I would like to shamelessly give some kudos to my brother, Konstantinos Pappas, for designing the official promotional material of AEGEE a few months ago – even though he got two InterRail tickets for winning that contest and he didn’t bring me with him, you bastard!
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
Europe on Track this year must have been a big success. Can’t wait to see the full documentary! Y Vote 2014 was slightly disappointing, although it got many people involved which is a good thing. Watching the European Parliament Elections Debate live and commenting via Facebook with the rest of the AEGEEans was priceless by the way!
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
Democracy in Practice, babe! I might be a just a humble graphic designer, but the rest of the team seems powerful and ready for some serious action!
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
I have been a board member of AEGEE-Athina for the past three years and we’ve got elections in the end of December! This brings me very close to breaking the Guinness Record for my antenna’s standards, but no matter how appealing that may sound, it’s time to take some days off. However, AEGEE-Athina’s got three bilateral exchanges already on schedule with other antennae of the network, as well as plans for a couple of European Events. I’ll try to resist!
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
In Athens, having a “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” style dinner with family. The horror!

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