2013 was an eventful year for AEGEE: The Golden Times asked more than 100 active members how they perceived the year – and what they foresee for 2014. In this fourth edition: read what Thomas Leszke, Alice Bednářová, Ola Kluczka, Claudio Armandi and Lia Tuska said. For three of them the Eastern Partnership Project (see featured image) was the outstanding project in 2013.

Thomas Leszke, President of the Mediation Commission, former CD

Thomas LeszkeWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2013?
My personal highlight was a Youth in Action training, organised by AEGEE-Brno for the Eastern Partnership Project in April. I was invited as a trainer and in the beginning I was sceptical, because our preparation was not good and the participants had a very heterogeneous profile. But once we got there, we pulled of a magnificent event with great intellectual challenges and an amazing spirit which all of us will remember for a long time. My special gratitude goes to my trainer colleagues Armenak, Oleg and Grigor, with whom we spent long nights discussing our methodology and who showed admirable commitment, professionalism and positive attitude.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2013. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
That’s hard to tell for someone who stopped following developments in AEGEE-Europe very closely. But what I remember very positively was the collective reaction – both by the CD and the network – to the developments in Turkey in summer, and now again to the developments in Ukraine. Things like these mark the beginning of a European public sphere and active civil society, and AEGEE can make a valuable contribution to it!
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2013?
Since I have not followed developments in AEGEE-Europe very closely of late, I can only mention some people that have really impressed me this year: Grigor Yeritsyan, AEGEE-Yerevan, for being incredibly professional, empathetic, cordial, funny and inspiring at the same time, both as a trainer colleague and a friend; Ivan Bielík, AEGEE-Brno, for his sharp observations and academic talent that is one of the brightest I have met this year; Silvija Perić, AEGEE-Zagreb, for her very thoughtful and diplomatic way of dealing with existential topics that would make many another person lose composure; Bartek Sudorowski, AEGEE-Zielona Góra, for his fantastic commitment to active citizenship in word and deed; Gizem Karslı, AEGEE-Ankara, for her everlasting concern for those that suffer injustice, and her readiness to put her own security in danger in order to help them; and many more…
Which one was for you the outstanding antenna in 2013?
Big praise to AEGEE-Poznań for organising an excellent Network Meeting!
Which one was for you the outstanding project in 2013?
I congratulate the Eastern Partnership Project for their achievements, in particular my dear Alla Resheten for her hard work.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2014?
Nationalism.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2014?
We have started a promising new initiative about election observation, and I will do my best to help make it successful! Apart from that, I am in the Mediation Commission, and I hope of course to finish my term at the Agora Cagliari without having ever had the need to make plans.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
In Sarajevo with friends from Bosnia, Turkey and Germany, none of whom are in AEGEE – yet.

 

Ola Kluczka, Content Manager of the Y Vote 2014 project

Ola KluczkaWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2013?
Definitely establishing and developing the Y Vote 2014 project!
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2013. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
I think one of the most memorable moments in 2013 was the solidarity and unity AEGEE people showed towards our Turkish members during their difficult time of protests and now similarly, the support for our friends in Ukraine.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2013?
Well, it’s hard to name one person, as we have many active, outstanding members. For sure I appreciate a lot the work of our CD, as they are doing a great job in terms of strengthening the organisation, increasing our visibility, advocacy, focusing on the thematic dimension and in general striving for more ambitious goals for AEGEE.
Which one was for you the outstanding antenna in 2013?
Again, naming a particular antenna wouldn’t feel right for me, as many of them are doing excellent job. But I would like to use this opportunity for appreciating my antenna, AEGEE-Kraków, for their involvement and organisation of many thematic events. This year they organised for instance a Model of United Nations, a Policy Consultation Conference of AEGEE-Europe on European Integration, co-organised the second Krakow Festival of Corporate Social Responsibility, not to forget three LTCs and two Management Training Courses. Huge appreciation should also go to the organisers of the statutory events, AEGEE-Valletta, Rhein-Neckar antennae and AEGEE-Zaragoza for the enormous, excellent work they have done for our association.
Which one was for you the outstanding project in 2013?
The Eastern Partnership Project.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2014?
For sure the European Parliamentary elections 2014 will be a big issue, preceded by the activities of the Y Vote 2014 project. The topic of non-formal education and the implementation of the new Erasmus+ programme will also be on the table, I guess. Not to forget the very up-to-date problem of youth unemployment in Europe, which has even been included in the Strategic Plan 2014-2017 during Agora Zaragoza.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2014?
My absolute priority in AEGEE-Europe for the next half a year is developing the Y Vote 2014 project. I hope to organise successfully the Y Vote conventions in 2014, develop their content and manage good communication with the locals. Moreover, as I am now a member of the Pool of Representatives of AEGEE-Europe, I would be glad to represent our organisation externally on the conferences and meetings, where my experience and knowledge would be useful. I am also part of the newly started initiative Elections Observation Missions in AEGEE. However, the biggest challenge that is ahead of me in my AEGEE plans for 2014 is my will to candidate for the CD at Agora Patra for the position of the Projects’ Director.

 

Alice Bednářová, Culture Working Group, former Cultural Eeuropean Night coordinator

Alice BednarovaWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2013?
For me personally, my AEGEE perspectives have changed since the early 2013 when I joined the new local of AEGEE-London! Setting up a new antenna is not an easy thing and we all were working hard to have a successful start. London as another AEGEE local is a bit different in terms of its internationality and size; however, AEGEE-London is doing an amazing job which makes me really happy. The other highlight is my participation in several CWG projects from which the most important and exciting for me was the Cultural European Night. I had the chance to coordinate it in the EBM Valetta and the Agora Zaragoza. I am very happy to set different perspectives of the European Night, which is now based on representing European cultures in such an amusing way. Even though the organizers had difficulties to find a venue lately where the food and beverage fair would be allowed, I believe that the European Night has been a great experience to be remembered.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2013. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
There were many highlights, let me point out two of them: the networking within AEGEE during the protests in Turkey and Ukraine. AEGEE plays such an important role in creating a platform for a discussion on human rights, politics, international relations and many other issues. People get a first-hand experience, which is much appreciated and provokes people to think about these issues and say their opinion publicly.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2013?
It is very difficult to pick out just some names. All of the people I have met in 2013 are very special and very different. That’s what I like about AEGEE.
Which one was for you the outstanding antenna in 2013?
AEGEE-Izmir. Their amazing work during the SU has not been highlighted enough. Even though they didn’t fulfil all requirements to be the first in the SU evaluation, they had the highest number of votes and so for me they are the winners for this year. I would like to say thanks to all the guys for being so self-sacrificing always with a big smile on their faces. You guys have made my summer unforgettable. I should not forget my beloved AEGEE-Brno. I think even though this antenna is quite small, I admire their excitement and the hard and great work they are doing over the past couple of years! Well done Brno!
Which one was for you the outstanding project in 2013?
A huge amount of work has been done within the Y Vote project. I think it is enormously important to raise awareness about the European Parliament elections and their impact. So let’s stay tuned and see what 2014 will bring!
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2014?
I am sure the European Elections and the youth voice in them will be one of the most discussed topics.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2014?
I guess will keep my participation focused on my beloved CWG. I am also considering my return to the AEGEE-London board, however, that is not sure yet as my MA course keeps me very busy and so far I am a little bit struggling with having time for everything I would like to do.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
As far as I can see, I have finally managed to arrange my Christmas in the Czech Republic. However, talking about the New Year’s Eve, I will be a bit boring saying that I am planning to be in London finalising my essays and projects and I am just in the middle of the exam period!

 

Claudio Armandi, Mediation Commission, former Network Commissioner

Claudio ArmandiWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2013?
Presenting my NetCom Activity Report in Zaragoza. It was the best way to celebrate a wonderful year, the best in my AEGEE life. I got a bit emotional, because I was not expecting such a warm reaction from the crowd, I really felt loved and admired by the Network and there is no price for that.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2013. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
Luis’ speech in Spanish at the opening ceremony in Zaragoza. For the lucky ones that were able to understand it, it was passionate, colorful and warm, really latin. For the unlucky ones, it was nice music to listen to.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2013?
As a great man used to say: “I have no idols. I admire work, dedication and competence”. My outstanding members of 2013 are all the people that kept the wheel spinning, sweating their guts off at local level. Giant proclamations are all very well, but in the end it’s thanks to these silent heroes that our toy keeps working.
Which one was for you the outstanding antenna in 2013?
Cagliari! I had the pleasure of being a helper for their last SU and it was amazing. Right after that they didn’t even take a day off and organized a supercool conference lasting a few days. Just a little time to take a breath and then they worked head-down to bring back the Agora to Italy after eight years. Mission accomplished and kudos to them.
Which one was for you the outstanding project in 2013?
I might be biased in this, but I have to say Eastern Partnership. There is not much to say, the standing ovation the project received in Zaragoza says it all. I am so proud of having been part of it and I am really looking forward to the closing conference. Guess where? In Cagliari!
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2014?
Luis speaking Greek in Patra! Or maybe AEGEE-Eindhoven people landing their helicopter in Patra and Cagliari, that would be a great 007-movie scene. Helicopters or not, Patra will see a totally new CD being elected, I guess it is going to be the highlight for next year.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2014?
Being now in the MedCom, I would like to stay as sleepy and inactive as possible. Netcommies never sleep, but when Medcommies are awaken something bad is going on, so I just hope I will not have any great job to do, apart from normal administration. For the rest, let’s wait and see!
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
In Maribor. Everyone who has been there told me their events are amazing, I want to check, even if I’m sure they will rock! It has been a long and exhausting year and I think there is nothing better than a crazy AEGEE event to start the following year even more exhausted!

 

Lia Tuska, Vice Speaker of the ITC, HRWG Secretary, NetCom SubCommissioner

Lia TuskaWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2013?
My personal AEGEE highlight was the one month I spent in Bulgaria, attending two great events by AEGEE-Sofia. The result of that was joining AEGEE-Sofia and thinking of studying for my master degree there.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2013. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
Even though I was not present, the great amount of AEGEEans that participated in the “Strengthening Ties in Youth Cooperation” conference in Zagreb in June. Reading others’ posts was like being there.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2013?
Difficult to say. There are many people I had the chance to meet, who inspire me. First of all, the person that motivated me to become more active on European Level, Cafer Saatchi from AEGEE-Sofia. He was the main organiser of the Leadership Summer School 2013 in Sofia. He recently was elected in the board of Bulgaria’s National Youth Forum. Elena Antova for being Secretary of the Agora in Zaragoza and believe me, being the secretary is a hard task! The rest of AEGEE-Sofia members for their support: Vyara, Ivaylo, Filipa, Atanas, Liliya, Tsveti, Diana, Maria, Alex, Daniel, Vessy, Yana, Denitsa, Petya, Nikola, Raya, Snejana, Vicky, Dessi, Christina, Bozhidara – sorry if I forgot anyone. The other members of my HRWG board: Danae Matakou for being an amazing co-worker and being almost everywhere together – in the HRWG, AEGEEan and as SubCommies of Greek antennae, we became good friends. Dimitra Amorgianou for her great ideas and also for her support inside our local board. Barbara Santibañez for her awesome PR ideas. My dear NetCommie, Arsenis Tselengidis who began his term with so much energy, for his commitment to AEGEE-Thessaloniki, where he was president. He helped and motivated the new members of his local to be active, including my sister, Fotini. My grandchildren in AEGEE-Kastoria, hoping now that I don’t live there anymore, they keep on being as active as when I was there. Last but not least, the current CD for all the work they do in Brussels and for being so active all the time.
Who was for you the outstanding project in 2013?
Y Vote 2014 for its first actions which were highlights in 2013. Also, Health4Youth for organising an amazing pre-Agora event with AEGEE-Alicante and for their awesome new website.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2014?
Agora Patra will be the highlight of AEGEE in 2014!
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2014?
For sure I will complete what I have started in 2013. I don’t think I have other AEGEE plans right now. I am having an internship until the end of May and I also have to study for my thesis. When I’m done with them, I’ll have enough time to visit some of my friends in Vienna, Kyiv, Saint Petersburg and Eskisehir. My personal plan is to graduate and then move to Sofia. I hope I find time to participate in an SU too – as participant, not organiser. Being an organising-freak, I believe I should be spontaneous this year!
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
I will spend New Year’s night with my family at my hometown near Serres in Greece.

 

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