After a Covid-related break, the Golden Times presents again its traditional annual review. Who is the AEGEE member of the year? Which antenna was the best? What were the highlights of the year? And what will 2023 bring? In this second edition: read what Calvin Breakwell, Michiel Barten, Karolina Wiera and Juan Carlos Leunissen said.

Calvin Breakwell, Network Commissioner

What was your own personal AEGEE highlight in 2022?
Attending Agora Novi Sad and seeing everyone.

Which moments of AEGEE-Europe in general in 2022 do you remember as outstanding?
I think also the Agora.

Who was for you the outstanding member in 2022?
I will go for Aleksandra Rachwalska, the wonderful NetCom Speaker; Teddy van Amelsvoort for being a great HR and network advisor and finally the wonderful outstanding amazing Timo Haarman!

Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2022?
I would be a pretty bad NetCommie if I didn’t go for one of my locals, so I will say AEGEE-Novi Sad for organising a great Agora despite difficulties.

What was for you the outstanding European project and/or WG/IG in 2022?
The late Where “Does Europe End? 2.0”!

What is the biggest opportunity for AEGEE in 2023?
The new Focus Areas will be interesting as well as the recommendation by the task force.

What do you think AEGEE should focus on internally?
Look at shifting the way we recruit people and updating our mission and vision for the modern world.

If you could change anything in AEGEE, it would be…
The lack of people applying for events.

What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2023?
Finish my NetCom term and join Les Anciens or something else, let’s see.

Michiel Barten, Climate Emergency Working Group, Data Privacy Commission, AEGEE-Nijmegen

What was your own personal AEGEE highlight in 2022?
After participating in two Summer Universities, in 2022 I also had the opportunity to organise one! This has been a very rewarding experience to me, to not only be able to bond with participants but also with other organisers and to learn how to organise such an amazing event!

Which moments of AEGEE-Europe in general in 2022 do you remember as outstanding?
The Network Meeting in Eindhoven. Not only were the event, organisation, content, organisers and participants great, but I was also able to meet some of the members of my Working group! After working mostly online for half a year that is definitely a great memory.

Who was for you the outstanding member in 2022?
Augustin Viot. He’s doing a great job as coordinator of CEWG, and visiting and reaching out to a lot of locals to promote our programme. Besides that he is involved in multiple European bodies, is supporting a couple of locals all while finishing his PhD. He is really showing some amazing effort towards AEGEE.

Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2022?
AEGEE-Novi Sad for organising an amazing Agora! The whole event was amazing! I also loved that they were able to get the Eurovision on last minute! Also I’ve for some reason been hearing a lot of people praise AEGEE Contact Joensuu for having an amazing spirit. I haven’t met them yet, but keep it up anyway!

What was for you the outstanding European project and/or WG/IG in 2022?
Climate Emergency Working Group obviously!

What is the biggest opportunity for AEGEE in 2023?
The biggest opportunity will be to get as many members as possible to participate at Agora Enschede, and hopefully get them involved in the European level. When downscaling is done, hopefully European bodies and the CD will be better equipped to fulfil their tasks.

What do you think AEGEE should focus on externally?
Societal conflict would be a good focus to have, I am glad we are going to have a focus area related to it. As a youth organisation I believe we should also have a focus on youth engagement and education, and I have no doubt that we will.

What do you think AEGEE should focus on internally?
As the Covid pandemic seems to be coming to a halt, the next years should be focussed towards rebuilding the network, both increasing membership in locals and trying to get new locals involved. Since we can finally run events again, hopefully this will motivate new people to join AEGEE.

If you could change anything in AEGEE, it would be…
More positive vibes at Agora, in group chats etc. We’re only volunteers!

What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2023?
My biggest plan is the organisation of some climate related events in the CEWG, together with some locals. I hope it will be a success, and that a lot of members will be able to participate. Keep an eye on our Instagram and Announce-L for future updates.

Karolina Wiera, Network Commissioner, AEGEE-Gliwice

What was your own personal AEGEE highlight in 2022?
2022 brought a lot of changes to my life. I finished my term as board member and started my term as Network Commissioner. I visited my first live Agora in Novi Sad – it will stay always in my heart!

Which moments of AEGEE-Europe in general in 2022 do you remember as outstanding?
The first live Agora since the start of the pandemic. We finally could meet each other for a looong time!

Who was for you the outstanding member in 2022?
For sure it will be our lovely CD! They are doing such hard work, and there are only three of them! They should be awarded for it!

Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2022?
Each one doing a tremendous job trying to save their local.

What was for you the outstanding European project and/or WG/IG in 2022?
The Safe Person Committee is much needed and much underrated in this organization.

What do you think AEGEE should focus on externally?
Being more visible for externals.

What do you think AEGEE should focus on internally?
Encourage members to join European bodies.

If you could change anything in AEGEE, it would be…
…many things that many people will not like.

What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2023?
Join another European body, attending Spring Agora 2023 Enschede, and go for an SU!

Juan Carlos Leunissen, Political Activism Working Group

What was your own personal AEGEE highlight in 2022?
SPM Budapest. It was a relief to organise a statutory AEGEE event in person! It was amazing to organise the content of this event. I loved it because of the support we got from AEGEE-Budapest and from the motivated participants.

Which moments of AEGEE-Europe in general in 2022 do you remember as outstanding?
My Summer University in Firenze if that counts. Else I would choose SPM Budapest.

Who was for you the outstanding member in 2022?
Four honourable mentions:

  • Yannic (StC), he has been motivating me in the Strategy Committee for years. He is doing work that ordinary members might not always notice, but it should be appreciated.
  • Julian (StC), he has had many actives years in AEGEE, and I enjoyed it when he joined the Strategy Committee.
  • Stanislava (CD), someone dedicating so many hours on supporting the organisation and with good communication skills that comfort the network. Even though I did not work with her personally.
  • I’m very happy with the work and support of Lotte, Franziska, Carlos, Bente and Mara in the Political Activism Working Group.

Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2022?
AEGEE-Krakow, a local that organises a statutory event should always be appreciated. AEGEE-Warszawa, their energy and motivation will spread the AEGEE-feeling. Besides, we have a good cooperation with them in the Political Activism Working Group.

What was for you the outstanding European project and/or WG/IG in 2022?
The Climate Emergency Working Group 2021/2022 and I believe this year the three Working Groups are also doing well.

What is the biggest opportunity for AEGEE in 2023?
European Elections 2024, but let’s take everything that’s on our path, starting with EPM Krakow.

What do you think AEGEE should focus on externally?
The young generation is the generation that has generally the most open-minded and progressive views. If we combine our forces we can stand up for societal and political topics. I believe that our capabilities to work on “Bridges of Dialogue” makes AEGEE unique. There should be a wider attention for the Focus Areas and a greater visibility of funded projects.

What do you think AEGEE should focus on internally?
Internal communication and PR.

If you could change anything in AEGEE, it would be…
Related to the previous question, I wish that AEGEE could implement one single communication channel. Good work has been done on MyAEGEE and I wish that there would be a module about the work of projects, a module on the fulfilment of the Strategic Plan and a forum to replace Facebook, mailing lists and AEGEE-Europe Slack.

What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2023?
Work on the thematic part of AEGEE in the Political Activism Working Group and in the EPM content team. Later, I would like to contribute more to the policy work of AEGEE.