2013 was an eventful year for AEGEE: The Golden Times asked many active members how they perceived the year and what they foresee as highlight in 2014. In this eleventh and last edition: read what Danae Matakou, Maryana Semenyak and Adrian Browarczyk said. Since Maryana and her Ukrainians friends are currently writing history, the last cover photo above belongs to them.

Danae Matakou, Speaker of HRWG, Vice-speaker of HRC, HR in CWG, Subcommissioner and board member of AEGEE-Athina

Danae MatakouWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2013?
There have been many amazing moments for me in AEGEE in the past year, but if I have to choose one I would say Agora Zaragoza. It was an amazing event, very well organised and we all had a great time! For me, even though it was a bit stressful at times with being secretary assistant, being at the Human Rights Working Group stand at the fair, presenting a workshop for the Culture Working Group and two activity reports, in the end everything went better than expected and I have only good things to remember! And during the European Night all my friends organised a birthday surprise for me. This has to be one of my happiest moments ever!
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2013. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
I think Turkish and Ukrainian locals fighting for their cause and proving their willingness to fight for what they believe in and what they think is right, has to be one of the most memorable moments of 2013. Their actions should be an example to the rest of us!
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2013?
I would say all the members of locals who organised statutory events: EBM Valletta, Agora Rhein-Neckar and Agora Zaragoza! All those events went perfectly, were very well organised and everybody who helped deserves a big bravo for their work, since organising such big events is a very tough thing to do.
Which one was for you the outstanding antenna in 2013?
I think all Turkish and Ukrainian locals, for the reasons I mentioned above!
Which one was for you the outstanding project in 2013?
Eastern Partnership project and Europe on Track.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2014?
Definitely the European Parliament elections!
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2014?
Applying for the EBM in Lublin! I haven’t thought about further than that, so I don’t have any concrete plans yet… But in general I want to devote as much time as I can to AEGEE and give my best work to all the things I am working on!
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
Back in my hometown Serres, with my family!

 

Maryana Semenyak, former President of AEGEE-Lviv

Maryanna SemenyakWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2013?
My personal highlight this year was mostly about summing up some part of my AEGEE life. Finally after so four years of working as a president of AEGEE-Lviv, I handed over the task to the next generation, to a new board which is ready for leading our antenna. We celebrated 20 years of AEGEE-Lviv, our antenna organized a Network Meeting, two Summer Universities, an LTC, many presentations and other local events.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2013. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
I visited several events, but unfortunately it was the first year that I couldn’t participate in any Statutory event due to my work. Anyway, it was very symbolic for me to visit again an SU organized by AEGEE-Bari. In 2008 it was the very first AEGEE event for my sister and me.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2013?
I would like to mention all CD members, who have energy and motivation to work for the second year. They are a really great and very professional team. It will be very hard for the next CD to keep the same level.
Which one was for you the outstanding antenna in 2013?
Without any doubts it is Turkish and Ukrainian antennae, who are fighting for their democracy and human rights. These people are very brave to defend their opinion. Am I am very proud to be a part of creating history of my country, without knowing the result I can already tell that we did a lot!
Which one was for you the outstanding project in 2013?
It is hard to choose one, 2013 was a very fruitful year for AEGEE. Eastern Partnership and Europe on Track are for me the most outstanding.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2014?
For all antennae which are in EU countries for sure the main topic will be the European Parliament elections, but of course the work continues on other AEGEE projects as well.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2014?
I’ll participate at AEGEE events, although I am telling myself that I am too busy, and probably some statutory events. I am not leaving my antenna, I’ll still help board. However I am already less active. I want to say a “big thank” you to AEGEE for everything it gave to me: experience, knowledge, progress, better command of foreign languages, and finding the best friends in my life from Lviv and all around Europe.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
This year there is no other better place to celebrate New Year’s Eve than in Ukraine – next to the special Christmas Tree, covered with Ukrainian flags and many other attributes of EuroMaidan in the city center of our capital Kyiv! With my sister, my closest friends and other hundred thousands of Ukrainians!

 

Adrian Browarczyk, Project Manager of Eastern Partnership Project 2

Adrian BrowarczykWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2013?
Last year was very challenging. I did move three times, said goodbye to my local AEGEE activity by co-organising a splendid “I’m for the East!” 2 Festival and I also graduated. Nonetheless, the decision that I’m going to be Project Manager of the Eastern Partnership Project 2 influenced my life the most and offered me a couple of “nuits blanches”. Already!
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2013. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
I won’t be original here – I assume that both the Charlemagne Prize for the Europe on Track Project and our involvement in Turkish and Ukrainian events are among the most memorable moments of the year.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2013?
I’m not for choosing the one who did a great job last year. I do think that all of us deserve a big thank you. We dedicate our free time and our personal plans to a voluntary activity in one of the biggest youth organisations in Europe and we really enjoy what we do. This calls for a never-ending respect from everybody.
Which one was for you the outstanding antenna in 2013?
I would say that all AEGEE locals in the Caucasus are developing themselves in an outstanding way. These locals were bitten by the AEGEE bug so much that in comparison to Western locals their activity overwhelms so much!
Which one was for you the outstanding project in 2013?
The Eastern Partnership Project – we got a big ovation in Zaragoza, which proves that AEGEE really appreciates our overall engagement and achievements. This reaction makes me feel proud and entitled to keep going on in the same direction that this project chose some time ago.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2014?
The European Parliament elections will be at the top of everything for sure. Anyway, regarding the continuous lack of knowledge of Eastern Partnership issues I would love to make it another big topic. Moreover, I see the potential interest in debating nationalism within our network and I hope that EBM Lublin will reveal a fresh overview on this problem.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2014?
I do plan to lead the awesome group of people that the Eastern Partnership Project 2 has at the moment. It will surely encompass most of my free time so that I do not see an urgent need to jump on something else.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
I’ll enjoy the New Year’s Eve with my AEGEE friends in Prague. That will be our second New Year’s reunion – last year we had such a good time in Kraków!

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