Who is the AEGEE member of the year 2015? Which antenna, which project was the best? The Golden Times asked more than 50 locally or Europeanly active members. In the ninth edition: read what Melissa Carreres Candela, Gabriela Geană, Malwina Zielińska and Noemi Lowy said.
Melissa Carreres, Network Commissioner, former president of AEGEE-Alicante
What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2015?
Both my whole term as a President of AEGEE-Alicante and being elected as a Network Commissioner in the Agora Kyiv are really great achievements, but I would say that my personal top highlight is being the main organiser of the Summer University of AEGEE-Alicante: “Alicante, where the SUn rises”. Organising that SU seemed a real challenge at the beginning, I even thought I couldn’t manage my time to do it. But after long months of hard work and lots of passion, me and my awesome team managed to make it happen and ended up having very good results. Unfortunately, our position at the SU ranking wasn’t as good as the year before, but still, all my goals were more than reached – even more than I had in mind. The group we created was fantastic, all participants and organisers made these two weeks an unforgettable experience. And the most important thing: some new members became very active in AEGEE-Alicante afterwards. So, I can’t imagine right now what would have happened if we had decided not to take that challenge!
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2015. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
I would say that all the events organised for the 30th Anniversary of AEGEE, especially the one organised in Agora Asturias. It was a fantastic night, not just because of the delicious big birthday cake, the beautiful ornamentation and the awesome concert, but also for the feeling of celebrating this important day surrounded by so many people with different backgrounds.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2015?
Several people comes to my mind, but I’m going to name two. Firstly, I would say Pablo Hernández, he managed to do almost everything in AEGEE, and I was more than happy when he decided to run for CD. He is not just a hard worker, he’s a really workaholic. Actually, I believe he never sleeps, and he is always with some AEGEE stuff in his hands. We have being working together in several projects in AEGEE-Alicante, he inspired and motivated me a lot to keep developing myself in AEGEE, and what is more, he persuaded me to run for NetCom. Secondly, I would name also Gerardo García from AEGEE-Oviedo. It is admirable how he managed to be president of his antenna for two years in a row, at the same time he is working on the European Level as a member of the PRC and Academy. Furthermore, he is always everywhere and he managed to persuade us to follow the Visual Identity.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2015?
I think AEGEE-Kyiv deserves more than a big applause for being able to organise such amazing Agora. It was really admirable, they had so many applications despite of having such a hard situation and internal problems in their country. Besides, the organisational part was really good, they made us feel like home and also break some stereotypes, which is the most important thing in the end. I think it is not fair to name your own antenna, but even if I weren’t from AEGEE-Alicante, I would say all the achievements they have acquired this year are admirable, I would give an outstanding applause to all of them!
What was for you the outstanding European project in 2015?
The AEGEE Election Observation Project, they have many people involved and they have been present in several important elections. For me this project reflects the support of one of the main basis of our association, the democracy.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2016?
I have many expectations about the AEGEE Day and I think we can do lots of things within this topic. I have heard many proposals and ideas for this day, and I really think it’s going to be awesome.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2016?
Working hard as a Network Commissioner, not just with my assigned locals but also with the rest of the NetCom team. I would try to be present in all AEGEE events, which now is a challenge for me because of my current job. I will also keep working on the local level as an advisor, so I can help my antenna to grow, making sure that the knowledge transfer with newbies is done and encouraging more people to contribute to AEGEE.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
I had in mind making a trip or even join a New Year’s event, especially the one organised in Zaragoza, but I am working at the hospital that day – nurses never rest… So I will finally stay at home with my family. I am living away all the year, so it is also nice to be back home. In addition, before dinner I will take part in a 10-kilometer marathon. There is no better way to end the year than making some sports, don’t you agree?
Malwina Zielińska, Network Commissioner, former president of AEGEE-Toruń
What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2015?
This year has got many such moments. Very hard to choose only one. Important to me was the celebration of AEGEE-Toruń’s tenth anniversary, during which I was president. I really felt that it is worthwhile to work and strive for the antenna. Next one is my personal birthday during which I got a huge teddy bear with autographs of all my members. It was so cute! Also the first LTC – I starring as a coach. Most important, however, was the last event, which is the election for NetCom in the Agora in Kiev. In all of these moments I developed and they will stay in my memory. Also they gave me an idea for myself in the future and believe that 2016 will be filled with even more events.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2015. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
For me it will be the Agora in Kyiv. Each of the statutory events is the most important, but the first time I took part in actively on stage!
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2015?
I am surrounded by lots of great people. However, the most important AEGEE people this year for me are Krzysztof Buczyński and Radosław Karwaszewski, who were part of my board, always supported me, motivated and were with me when I needed their help. With this team I had so many happy moments in my local. Further people are Ela Krótka and Ola Domejko. Although we are separated by vast distances we always have contact with each other and talk about everything. It is thanks to them I believed in myself and only of them I am living this crazy adventure. I know that I can always count on their support and really miss them when we cannot see each other. Without a doubt, these are the people why you should do it all!
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2015?
In 2015, it was of course AEGEE-Toruń – my own local. Our work style and professionalism. But the girls and boys from AEGEE-Poznań also conquered my heart. You have such a positive energy that I do not want to leave you! Also, I am impressed by AEGEE-Bialystok, which shows us that anything is possible. Each visited antenna is something of value in itself what shapes me.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2016?
The topic of the next EPM shows us that it is the refugee crisis. I think that it is a huge topic in AEGEE and will be discussed throughout the year. It is a very serious issue and affects every AEGEEan.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2016?
I will work actively as a NetCom until the end of my term. I have plans to visit all my locals. I want to know every board personally and have contact with them.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
Each New Year’s Eve we should spend with our best friends. This year I will celebrate the New Year’s Night in Poznan. I have there many great friends from all over Poland with whom I will plan the next year. I hope that, as I begin this year in this wonderful city, so all this year I will spend like this.
Noemi Lowy, Democracy in Practice, AEGEE-Debrecen board
What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2015?
When we held the Democracy in Practice workshop at EPM Burgos in February. There were a lot of people who came to participate and we had a nice discussion in the end. I also very much enjoyed being present at the Sziget Festival this summer, representing AEGEE on the NGO Island. It was very nice to see so many AEGEEans coming to our tent and helping to spread the word of our organization.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2015. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
The Opening Ceremonies of EPM Burgos and Agora Kyiv. Both of them were very nicely planned and had meaningful performances. I also liked the Agora selfie in Kyiv and many more moments from there.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2015?
I would like to name my antenna’s president, Balázs Kovács. His dedication and his passionate work for our small antenna has been inspiring me over the years and I am very grateful for him for the opportunities I have in this organization. I would also like to name Lia Tuska who is a super-woman AEGEEan. Currently, she is the project manager of our Democracy in Practice project ,she contributes to the AEGEEan magazine and she is going to be a secretary of the EPM and Agora. She is a very motivating, reliable person who is always full of ideas and positivity.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2015?
Besides the antennae that helped making happen an amazing Agora Kyiv, I would like to mention two others that I have visited this year: AEGEE-León and AEGEE-Lviv who organized great pre-events before EPM Burgos and Agora Kyiv. They both did a great job of showing us the city, their culture and history. I have very nice memories. And last, I would like to thank those antennae who participated at the International Human Rights Day on 10th December.
What was for you the outstanding European project in 2015?
The Election Observation project has been doing very remarkable work by gathering young people to get to know better the voting procedures of different countries. The other is the Democracy in Practice project I’m a member of. We are trying to spread the word of how important human rights are for us as a society and individuals in order to eliminate barriers between each other. I think it is very important for our generation to get familiar with these topics and act consciously.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2016?
The refugee and the migration question that will be theme at the EMP Leiden.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2016?
As I’m already working, I will try to manage my time to be able to attend the statutory events and be active as possible in the upcoming year. The priority will be making the Democracy in Practice project more visible among the network and organize workshops, events and campaigns by involving more antennae and other organizations.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
Of course with AEGEE. In Budapest. As a helper for the event ”Keep Cold, We’ll Warm You Up” with AEGEE-Budapest.
Gabriela Geană, Vice Editor-in-Chief of The AEGEEan, AEGEE-București PR Coordinator, Subcommissioner
What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2015?
My personal AEGEE highlight was probably when I candidated for the third time in a row for Public Relations Coordinator in my local and this time I got elected. It was an amazing feeling, I felt powerful in my own strengths and it certainly boosted my confidence. It actually confirmed me that not giving up has always been one of my strengths.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2015. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
Well, Agora Kyiv was the most recent one for me. I had the pleasure to take part in the event as a delegate for my local for the first time and I was for the second time at an Agora. It was really awesome and AEGEE-Kyiv, you did an outstanding job with organising everything! I did learn a lot of valuable things related to organising big events like this one and I had a lot of fun at the parties!
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2015?
Well, the most outstanding members for me in 2015 are Ștefania Ciuraru, our president in AEGEE-București, she managed to teach us a lot of things in these two years in order to improve our local and she inspires me a lot. I also get my inspiration from Erika Bettin, our Editor-in-Chief for The AEGEEan Magazine, I got to know her a little more this year. She really made a difference in this magazine and I must say I admire her strength. Another member who inspires me is Sorina Bădic, the Projects Director in AEGEE-București. She is a devoted member and even though sometimes things aren’t going quite well, she manages to overcome them with an amazing determination. She is also a cool person and very fun at parties!
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2015?
AEGEE-Kyiv for organising an awesome Agora and AEGEE-Chișinău, congrats again for hosting the next Autumn Agora. We will be seeing each other soon!
What was for you the outstanding European project in 2015?
Summer University as always!
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2016?
Well, probably the refugees crisis. It has already been chosen to be the main topic during the EPM in Leiden.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2016?
My personal AEGEE plans for 2016 include successfully finishing my term as PR coordinator in June 2016, being a subcommie in Lavinia’s subcom team, still working for The AEGEEan Magazine as a journalist or maybe more than that, who knows? I like to surprise myself, it’s what makes my life challenging.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
No plans yet, but usually something great appears three or four days before the New Year’s Eve. So it is never a problem how and where I will be spending the New Year’s party. Although I wanted to spend it with AEGEE-Beograd, but I had to cancel it in the end.
