Who is the AEGEE member of the year 2020? Which antenna, which project was the best? What were the highlights of the year? And what will 2021 bring? The Golden Times asked more than 50 active AEGEE members. Over the next week you can see what they answered. In this ninth and final part: read what Monika Mojak, Adam Kubák, Vanessa Kunze and Ann Kristin Gildhoff said.

 

Monika Mojak, Vice-Chairperson of the Agora, Safe Person Committee, AEGEE-Warszawa

Golden Times: What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2020?

It was definitely Spring Agora 2020 for two reasons: firstly, it was the first online general assembly in AEGEE history, which in my opinion was a ground-breaking moment for our association. When in 2018 as CD56 together with AEGEE-Aachen we submitted two proposal for Autumn Agora Istanbul about Pre- and Post-Agora voting, our aim besides freeing up the time during the Agora and making our General Assemblies more efficient, was to make a first, big step towards digitalisation of the Agora. At the Agora Istanbul there was also a discussion whether we should have the online Agora in the future, but I would never expect it may happen during my time in AEGEE.

Second reason why I consider Spring Agora as my personal highlight in 2020 is of course the fact it was my first Agora behind the Chair Team table. Making it happen in just a few weeks was a great challenge for us, but at the same time it was a good learning experience which gave us dose of knowledge, a lot of fun and new friendships.

Another personal highlight for me was joining the Safe Person Committee this year. I have been involved in the Safe Person initiative for two years now as a Safe Person. I have attended numerous events in this role, and I am happy that after one year break, we are bringing Safe Person back to life.

Which moments of AEGEE-Europe in general in 2020 do you remember most vividly or as outstanding?

The whole year was very outstanding for AEGEE due to the Covid-19 pandemic. One year ago, probably none of us would have expected how the Corona virus will force a whole series of changes around the world, including a change in the way we live, study, work and communicate with each other. These changes also had a huge impact on our association and forced us to adapt quickly to this new reality and made us learn how to live our AEGEE life – and enjoy it – in these extraordinary times.

As the word “extraordinary” has now been mentioned, I would also like to add that the moment when we announced that the Extraordinary Agora is taking place was certainly one of the highlights of this year. There were three Agorae in total – all of them online plus one was Extraordinary. It was a real Agora roller-coaster.

Who was for you the outstanding member in 2020?

I would like to go a little bit around this question and instead of naming three people, I will seize the opportunity to name up three teams I worked with this year:

  • Chair Team of Spring Agora 2020: Angelique, Franjo, Julian, Niek, Svenja, Teddy, Tommy, Veva;
  • Chair Team of Autumn Agora 2020: Ann Kristin, Chris, Evita, Felice, Franjo, Niek, Rik, Susanna, Timo;
  • And last but not least Chair Team of Extraordinary Agora 2020: Ann Kristin, Dom, Evita, Franjo, Panos, Timo.

I would like to highlight that organizing three successful Agorae would not be possible without those people, their enormous work, dedication and passion for AEGEE.

Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2020?

AEGEE-Yerevan and AEGEE-Moskva earn acknowledgement. Both locals were working hard for months to ensure we will have a great time during the Spring and the Autumn Agorae, sadly at the end both general assemblies had to be cancelled because of the pandemic development and it was a very difficult decision for the core teams of Agora Yerevan and Agora Moscow to give up on this dream. At the same time, I think everyone appreciates that those locals took the challenge to organize the Agorae in 2021. I hope we all can meet in Yerevan in the spring and then in Moscow in the autumn. Also, AEGEE-Tartu should receive a big applause for putting all efforts to organize EPM 2021, despite the current, difficult situation.

I would also like to mention one more local, which is AEGEE-Salerno. I got to know them as one of the most active locals in the AEGEE network this year, always actively involved in everything that is happening around, taking part in numerous initiatives and projects in AEGEE. Moreover, many of AEGEE-Salerno’s members are active on the European Level.

What was for you the outstanding European project, working group or interest group in 2020?

The Summer University Project deserves a special mention here. The project was facing a lot of obstacles this year. The SUCT did a huge job in the past months and it was very sad the Summer Universities were cancelled at the end. But on the other hand, the team reacted quickly, they found a way how to easily adjust to the new circumstances and despite the SUs did not take place in a traditional form, the SUCT found good alternatives how to still make this edition successful. Moreover, they were not afraid to propose some important, even though controversial changes in the SU format and it is great to see that they are still motivated and full of ideas how to develop the project further. Antonio, Francesca and Wouter decided to continue as SUCT members for the second term which was great news and the best proof our members are not afraid to stay active and contribute to AEGEE in this outstanding time.

What is the biggest opportunity for AEGEE in 2021?

The past year gave us hard times but at the same time proved that we can overcome the issues, we can survive and stay stronger together. I believe that you can always turn obstacles into opportunities. We should draw conclusions from this experience. This is the right moment to reflect what has been working well, what has not and what still needs improvements and finally take the courage to implement necessary changes, become more flexible, more progressive. Let’s not stop at these great ideas and discussions only, and let’s start putting all of them in practice, not being afraid of taking the risks and accepting the fact AEGEE has to keep pace with ever-changing world.

The Corona crisis hit AEGEE hard in 2020. What measures should AEGEE take to overcome the crisis? Maybe you also see some positive examples in the network that you can name?

This year was a great learning point for all of us. It showed us we are capable of more than we could have ever expected. But I have the feeling many positive changes happened because we were forced to do so, we had to take some steps we would not have done otherwise, because we are too afraid to take such a risk. Besides taking measures to overcome the crisis, like staying connected, adapting our activities to the new reality or finding new ways how to recruit new members and keep motivated the current ones, we should look at the current state of AEGEE from a bigger perspective. Maybe the current situation is a good driving force to leave a nice comfort zone and dive into the ocean of possibilities we have?

What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2021?

The Chair Team and the upcoming two Agorae are on my priorities list for the next months. Together with my team, CD, JC and local organisers we will do our best to provide you the best possible Agora experience. Besides, I will focus on contributing to the further development of Safer Person, support the Safe Person Committee with my knowledge and experience and together with the team give a new direction to this initiative.

 

Adam Kubák, AEGEE-Praha, Subcommissioner of the Network Commission

Golden Times: What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2020?

Because of the Covid pandemic, it was always a highlight when I could see people live. We managed to organize a great LTC with AEGEE-Praha. Before Covid came we met in the CD house with other Netcoms in January, we worked hard but also had great moments which created bonds between us. I also remember the AEGEE-Zielona Gora Bday event. We spontaneously came there after they opened the borders between Czechia and Poland. Among the online events I like that we managed to organize four online reunion meetings in the Wild East area with quite good attendance.

Which moments of AEGEE-Europe in general in 2020 do you remember most vividly or as outstanding?

This would be for sure the Extraordinary Agora. It was outstanding because it did not happen in history many times. I hope personally that the financial side improves, but it was good to tackle that problem. Moreover, leaving not much space for live events I was positively surprised how we managed to go fully online. Especially, organizing online Agorae. Big applause to CD and the Chair team and all other people who contributed to it. But I still can’t wait to attend an offline Agora again!

Who was for you the outstanding member in 2020?

This is a truly tough question. I would say everyone in the Network Commission deserves a lot of gratitude because working with locals during a pandemic is more difficult. Many locals have difficulties switching to this online mode. I also cannot forget the CD members who were working hard all year. They were probably imagining their CD year differently. And last not least the Chair team for their great effort in organizing three online Agoras. But If I really should name someone it would be Marija Valentina Žuvić, Roberto Meneghetti and Ann Kristin Gildhoff.

Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2020?

This is also much harder than it normally would be. I think AEGEE-Barcelona deserves to be in the list for organizing the last live statutory event. Secondly, I would mention AEGEE-Marburg for becoming an antenna and keeping their AEGEE spirit also during the pandemic. And I don’t know any specific antenna to put on the third place. But all functioning antennas deserve recognition for coping with the pandemic situation.

What was for you the outstanding European project, working group or interest group in 2020?

I would like to mention Europe on Track. It did not go as they planned, but they managed to move the stops online. And also SUCT by providing the list of possible online workshops instead of live events.

What is the biggest opportunity for AEGEE in 2021?

I think people will be hungry to meet live so I hope the next live statutory event can be huge. It is also important to get new active members because for many antennas online recruitment processes did not work well. It would be great if we could have SU again as we know them. Because that was always the biggest magnet to potential new members.

The Corona crisis hit AEGEE hard in 2020. What measures should AEGEE take to overcome the crisis? Maybe you also see some positive examples in the network that you can name?

AEGEE did what it could have done at the moment. We had to move everything online – Agora, RTC, NWM, EPM and any other event. However, I hope this will be just a temporary because I can see a lot of people including myself are not that excited to sit in front of the computer for long hours. I think students and also people who already work spend most of the day in front of the computer. Sometimes you just need to go for a walk or get some fresh air.

What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2021?

Apart from my advisory role in AEGEE-Praha, I am now a subcommissioner of Ruslan – his term is till June. I still like to be in touch with the Wild East area. And if nothing changes I would be interested in joining the Academy as a trainer. I have done a couple of workshops both online and offline this year and I would like to develop myself more in this area.

 

Vanessa Kunze, Speaker of Human Resources Committee, AEGEE-Bamberg

Golden Times: What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2020?

Getting elected as Speaker of the Human Resources Committee probably was the best AEGEE-related moment for me personally this year. Also our internal live meeting was a big highlight for me. It probably was one of the last physical events that could happen, and for me also the only one this year unfortunately. To meet the people you are working with the whole year is outstanding and increases my personal motivation and team spirit.

Which moments of AEGEE-Europe in general in 2020 do you remember most vividly or as outstanding?

To start on the negative side, I remember that in the moment when Agora Yerevan was cancelled, I realized how much sh*t is going down with the Covid-19 situation. It was a moment of realizing how extensively this pandemic would influence all of us. But after that I was really impressed how close the AEGEE people came together and tried to make the first quarantine time in spring as comfortable as possible.

Remembering Calvin’s quizzes, the “AEGEEans in Quarantine” Facebook group, but also HRC’s chit chats and Online Escape Rooms, we all tried to make the best out of the situation and I really loved to see that the AEGEE spirit was transferred online as well. Adding on that, I was delighted and again impressed to see how the two online Agoras were constructed and accomplished and I want to give a big round of applause for everyone who made that happen so smoothly and offhandedly.

Who was for you the outstanding member in 2020?

In times like this I think it is very important not to praise only a handful of people, but everyone who is helping our organization to survive. I mentioned already those people who adapted to the change to online events quickly and helped to establish this for AEGEE, but it’s more than that. Considering that this pandemic brought more or less major change to all of our personal lives, with other, more crucial things moving into everyone’s focus, I find everyone who stayed active and tried to contribute outstanding. Every member who didn’t give up, doesn’t matter if he, she or they tried to rescue their local from dying or if they faced the financial problems of the whole organisation: for me everyone who continued to care and be active is outstanding in this year.

Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2020?

I would like to follow many of the other interviewed members and mention AEGEE-Yerevan, AEGEE-Moskva and AEGEE-Tartu here. It must be incredibly discouraging to prepare our most important events with outmost care and then not be able to actually make it take place. I hope the support of the network helps a bit, and I can’t wait to take part in all of the events organised by you. Next to pointing out these antennae, I would like to give a short shout-out to all the antennae which were fighting to survive, which tried to still provide their members with a varied program and opportunities and continued to take part in AEGEE as a whole.

What was for you the outstanding European project, working group or interest group in 2020?

Again it is very hard for me to pick out only one. I think here those need to be mentioned, which evolved in difficult times like this, like WDEE or the LGBTQ+ Interest Group. They successfully established themselves despite the obvious obstacles. Also European bodies like SUCT, which have been hit especially hard by the crisis and their regarding regulations, really made the best out of the situation. I would also like to thank my own body, HRC, for all the achievements and work that has been done this past year. Special mention goes out to my beloved Speakerteam, thank you for being the best support and teammates!

What is the biggest opportunity for AEGEE in 2021?

Well, in case we’d largely overcome this pandemic, our biggest opportunity would be to physically meet again. To come back to our old form through meeting again at Agorae, EPM and also Summer Universities, exchanges, and all the events AEGEE usually can offer. Maybe the forced break from all of this meetings even lead to an increase in participation and even more members crave for contributing to AEGEE and travelling again.

The Corona crisis hit AEGEE hard in 2020. What measures should AEGEE take to overcome the crisis? Maybe you also see some positive examples in the network that you can name?

I think the name of the game is activeness and participation. Using the reopening of opportunities to increase motivation and activeness among members, fulfilling the promises that were made this year and making the network grow again.

What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2021?

I would love to participate in as many physical events as possible and travel to the places I planned to do for 2020. I am so excited to feel the AEGEE spirit live again: During an Agora or at our HRC live meeting. Also I strive to lead my committee to reach our goals and be successful and happy with our work. All in all I hope to see everyone healthy and happy in 2021!

 

Ann Kristin Gildhoff, Chairperson of the Agora, AEGEE-Passau

Golden Times: What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2020?

This year, my Local AEGEE-Passau turned 30 years and it was meant to be a continuous event bringing together generations of AEGEEans from all over the network celebrating together in early summer. From the original plans only the Erasmus party at the beginning of the year could take place as planned – and then it was time to think out of the box. In the end we held a virtual AEGEE Inspire sessions with amazing people from all decades telling their stories about AEGEE and our local. Starting with our founder, former CD members and active members of AEGEE-Passau from nowadays it was a memorable evening and taught me once more that personal stories and individual ideas are a big part of the foundations of our engagement. Besides that, my highlight was to see more people from my local getting active on European level again and showing their interest in contributing with their knowledge and passion for AEGEE.

Which moments of AEGEE-Europe in general in 2020 do you remember most vividly or as outstanding?

2020 kept challenging all of us for various reasons, not only as AEGEEans but most likely also in our personal lives. We had to adapt to new realities, keep the AEGEE spirit alive – just think about the “AEGEEans in Quarantine” Facebook group, pub-quizzes, training events, discussion rounds and content sessions that were held to a large extent online – and still run the continuous work of our locals and European bodies.

But for me the outstanding moments of the past year are the ones showing the continued development of our network: we had the first ever online Agorae, even three of them; we voted on structural changes, for example the introduction of the Policy Office, an update of the statutes as well as implementation of proxy-voting; and the new Focus Areas came into force in August.

On a more personal note, my involvement as Subcommissioner of the Juridical Commission in the first half of the year and as Chairperson in the second half, has allowed me to grow personally and helped me through lockdowns and exam periods. Members of both teams have often been my daily companions and thus I can say that AEGEE-Europe moments I remember vividly are also all these messages, chats and personal contacts throughout the year.

Who was for you the outstanding member in 2020?

The first person I would like to mention here is Lea Schuck from AEGEE-Passau. Due to a resignation she had to step in as president of my local in January and take up leadership in a moment, when shortly after everything that scheduled for the upcoming months had to be cancelled or changed. She also joined the Spring Agora as delegate and became a member of the Eastern Partnership Team and is a great example of how AEGEE offers space for everyone on all levels.

Considering the ongoing talks within the Network about appreciation, I would like to mention two groups of people which deserve the title “outstanding members”: All members of both CD 57 for doing the absolute best when the pandemic hit, and CD 58 for taking over the leadership despite the odds and uncertainties. Without all of them, AEGEE-Europe would not be where we are today.

Last but not least, the organisers of this years’ Agorae – Chair Teams, Juridical Commission and Comité Directeurs – are to be listed here. Especially Monika Mojak and Veronika Chmelarova delivered a great knowledge transfer and support for when I became Vice-Chairperson of the Agora – I could not have imagined a smoother transition into the position. Both have already shown a lot of dedication for the network in the past years and they manage to give important continuity within their abilities and positions that are of great value for AEGEE-Europe.

It goes without saying that there are many more outstanding members: everyone that kept up the good mood, everyone who motivated others, asked the right questions, participated and contributed to a year to remember for all of us.

Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2020?

AEGEE-Erfurt for their discussion series “Dirty talks” bringing current topics in international politics to a personal level – I would like to see more of such initiatives.

What was for you the outstanding European project, working group or interest group in 2020?

Europe on Track as well as Summer Universities have excelled in finding ways to run their projects despite the odds, quickly adjusting to the changing circumstances and resources available. There is also WDEE 2.0, which shows already promising ideas for the future and their members took the chance to pick up an old idea, revive it and give it their personal note.

What is the biggest opportunity for AEGEE in 2021?

Healthy development. Let me try to break up this broad term a bit:

  1. Living our daily lives with a pandemic is not new anymore. It might restrict some of us more than others but in general I believe AEGEE has found ways to tackle the challenges we are facing. One big strength is for sure our experience in working virtually for years already and we should continue to disseminate this knowledge.
  2. The foundation work laid by working groups regarding the Focus Areas is outstanding. All four of them have a strong presence within the network already, found ways to start their work and involve members on all levels. Now it is on all of us to build up on this – let’s take the online EPM in February as a chance to stress the importance of thematic work even more.
  3. In my opinion we have started to work more on our internal processes and obstacles already, which is a great chance for strengthening the network. It is not only about all these open calls and not filled positions but also about finding ways to address our individual members, valuing every contribution, and challenge what we are doing at the moment.

The Corona crisis hit AEGEE hard in 2020. What measures should AEGEE take to overcome the crisis? Maybe you also see some positive examples in the network that you can name?

As AEGEEans we believe in a borderless Europe and we empower people to take an active role in society. During the past year we have seen that EU borders being more closed than we would have ever imagined, restrictions on gatherings, personal freedoms and changes to our routines – but nothing could stop the network from striving for a more democratic and diverse Europe.

As human beings we all do need personal relations with people and it has been hard not to be able to meet up in person, see old friends as well as new people and it is also normal to struggle with the fact that seemingly reliable structures are questioned and appear to not work out anymore.

AEGEE as a whole, but also the locals have proven to make the best out the crisis, take the chance and turned it into a booster for change and development. It is important to find the right balance between being realistic on the actual possibilities but on the other hand keep on dreaming.

What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2021?

My commitment in the next months will fully be towards the Chair Team and the preparation of the upcoming Agora together with all relevant parties. It is our goal to provide the network with the best experience possible and I am glad to have people by my side who will do their best to make this happen. If time allows, I might try to get more involved in thematic work – but let’s see what 2021 will bring, I am very much looking forward to it.