Who is the AEGEE member of the year 2014? Which antenna, which project was the best? The Golden Times asked more than 70 locally or Europeanly active members. In the first edition: read what said Mattia Abis, Lia Tuska, Ivan Bielik, Marije Arentze, Balázs Kovács and Durdana Boyukkishiyeva said.

Mattia Abis, former Network Commissioner, Vice-Coordinator of Agora Cagliari

Mattia AbisWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
For sure, the end of my NetCom term at my hometown during Agora Cagliari has been the strangest situation it happened to me. I was working both as Netcommie and Vice-Coordinator of the Agora. The last one was the finalisation of many years of wishes and a great party for my original local, AEGEE-Cagliari, and all the others of my area that had been waiting for that event for the past eight years. Those four days have been a condensation moment of a blend made by feelings, work and AEGEE Spirit.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
It was for sure the election of the new CD during Agora Patra. We had the previous one for two years, many AEGEEans joined the organisation after their elections and it was difficult after two years to get used to new faces, opinions and ideas. So, for sure, it was the #popcornAgora with its second ballot rounds and moments of uncertainty.
Who were for you the outstanding members in 2014?
Well, I will nominate two people. They are probably the best surprise and people with whom I had to work: Ana Potocnik from AEGEE-Ljubljana and Arsenis Tselengidis from AEGEE-Thessaloniki. They are great examples of AEGEEans, who prefer the work to the talk. They showed constant engagement to help the network and they were the best people with whom I could be in the NetCom Speaker Team. I will miss for sure the months I spent with them.
Which were for you the outstanding antennae in 2014?
I prefer to nominate three of the locals I was responsible for as Network Commissioner since I could monitor them better than the others: AEGEE-Udine, AEGEE-Verona and AEGEE-Siena. AEGEE-Udine, because they spent the last year organising a huge amount of important events, implemented all the HR management and European School trainings perfectly. AEGEE-Verona, since they just became antenna and must understand that they are growing fast and have a huge potential. AEGEE-Siena, because the current board members took the local in a difficult situation, fixed it and must understand they are on the right road.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
I want to give the mention to the Election Observation Project, since it is new and organising a huge amount of activities and missions. The team was very active since the day it started working, although it was not an official project yet. Moreover I am a scrutiny freak and I cannot avoid nominating them!
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
It will probably be the Agora in Kyiv, since we are going to discuss the Russia-Ukraine situation in Burgos and ending the year there. I think the EPM topic that the Agora picked up was the most important of the seven proposed in Cagliari. It will bring a very important discussion to the organisation and, probably, concrete results since the matter is very precious to the AEGEEans.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
I do not have any plan at the moment, I am resting a bit since I am tired by the past year and looking around for something interesting. If someone has something to suggest to me it is more than welcome!
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
I will copy/paste the answer I gave you in 2013: “I will stay with my friends here in Sardinia, I have disregarded them too much in the last year.” Wish you all a great 2015!

Lia Tuska, Speaker of the Network Commission

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
My personal highlight was my NetCom trip in the Netherlands. It started on my birthday. We celebrated with the Democracy in Practice team in Brussels. I jumped out of my comfort zone, travelling almost every day to cities I’ve never been before. I had just received the responsibility for seven more locals. The feeling that you get when you finish all your tasks on time while you are travelling is amazing!
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
I believe the most memorable moment of AEGEE-Europe in 2014 was Agora Patra. All Greek locals finally collaborating together.
Who were for you the outstanding members in 2014?
Ah! That’s difficult… Ana Potočnik and Danae Matakou, because they are managing to do so many things at the same time and they make me feel that I’m not alone in that. Both of them are great leaders and I admire them.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
For sure Agora Asturias is going to be the highlight of 2015.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
I just graduated from the Youth Trainers Academy, so my plan for 2015 is to improve myself as a trainer. I will be at some of the Training Courses by Democracy in Practice and hopefully at a European School. Both of my locals – AEGEE-Sofia and AEGEE-Thessaloniki – are planning to organize Summer Universities and if the dates fit, I will be there as organizer. I hope in 2015 to finally find time to establish a local in Serres. Last but not least, my graduation will be in June or December and I hope AEGEE-Kastoria or AEGEE-Thessaloniki will help me organizing something for my AEGEE friends, who want to be there.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
This year, one dream that I had for a long time will finally come true! I organize a New Year’s dinner for people with special needs and their families in a city near my hometown, Serres.

Ivan Bielik, CD member

Ivan Bielik2What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
SU Brno 2014 “Out of the box”. It was my dream to organise a really thematic SU related to self-development. Me and my friends in Brno delivered splendid results there. I consider it as personal highlight of my whole AEGEE life so far.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
Standing ovations for the former Comité Directeur 2012-2014. The Network showed them that we appreciated their dedication and results.
Who were for you the outstanding members in 2014?
Pavel Zbornik and the real bomber of the Rainbow, Mattia Abis.
Which were for you the outstanding antennae in 2014?
AEGEE-Cagliari, because of the well-organised Agora. Also AEGEE-Brno, because the people there matured and continued to grow since I had left them as a President. This makes me feel proud of them even more.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
Y Vote 2014.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
The discussion about what kind of Europe we want and strive for.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
To finish successfully my term in the Comité Directeur with a proper knowledge transfer. To help locals and members of AEGEE as much as I can. And then slowly withdraw from AEGEE.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
I will spend it in Brno, Czech Republic with my friends and my girlfriend.

Marije Arentze, Content Manager of the Election Observation Project

Marije ArentzeWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
Ouch, this is the hardest one already. I would have to choose between EBM Lublin and the Election Observation Mission to Sarajevo. As Content Manager of the EBM, it was an amazing experience to deliver speeches to so many people, however also very scary. It was a very inspiring and motivating time. The Election Observation Mission was possibly even a greater moment for me. Observing elections in is a very special way to get to know a country, since you are at the basis of democracy. I immediately fell in love with Sarajevo and the Bosnian people, and it was very inspiring to me on both personal and professional level.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
Agora Cagliari. It was amazing to see the new CD active; they look like a really good team and their presence definitely gave a refreshing atmosphere to the Agora. It is like AEGEE feels more alive now and it is definitely thanks to them. I have attended several great sessions and discussions, I have seen a lot of creativity and new enthusiasm. It might be the best Agora I have visited so far!
Who were for you the outstanding members in 2014?
On a personal level, that would be Léa Charlet. I have a lot of respect for how she dealt with her defeat in Patra, got back on her feet and found a new path for herself in AEGEE. A lot of people would have left, but she stayed and is still going strong! I also want to mention my fellow EBM Content Manager Lavinia Manea here. She is very good at what she does and I have learned a lot from her while creating content for the EBM.
Which was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
I cannot help to mention my own dear Election Observation Project here. We have organized four successful Missions in the past seven months, and our project meeting in Brussels was very motivating. It is an idea with a lot of potential, since it offers young people a very hands-on opportunity to take responsibility in democratic processes. It is a concept that is easy to explain and easily generates a lot of visibility. You will hear a lot from us in 2015, so stay tuned!
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
EU-Russia relations. It says a lot that this topic has been chosen with a vast majority at Agora Cagliari. I am very curious for the outcomes of the EPM. As I said in Cagliari, with all these conflicts going on on the outskirts of the EU, we need to realize that pro-EU does not necessarily mean pro-Europe. Especially in AEGEE, where we have members in Russia, EU and all countries in between, this is a very sensitive issue. We need to ask ourselves where we stand and what we should and should not do.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
As Content Manager of the Election Observation Project, I will mainly be occupied with consolidating the project and create a professional basis for the coming two years. I hope to visit the Agorae and the EPM, attend an Election Observation Mission or two, and if I have time, I would like to get involved in AEGEE’s peacebuilding initiatives – for as far as they exist. I am looking forward to this year!
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
I will have a private New Year’s Event with one of my best friends on Terschelling, one of the Dutch islands in the Wadden sea.

Balázs Kovács, President of AEGEE-Debrecen

What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
There are countless happenings to remember. The dearest to me though happened right before Agora Cagliari. It was listening to the impressive story of a former participant of one of our international events in Debrecen and how that experience has been contributing to him starting to discover new training opportunities in and outside of AEGEE that changed his life for the better. I am sure that many stories on AEGEE’s surprisingly huge impact on its members are left untold. Thank you very much for sharing and moving me with yours, Paolo Ghisleni!
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
One of them for me is the leadership training event in Brussels, organised by the outgoing international board of directors, empowering members interested in taking up international leadership positions. Another one was the elections at Spring “Popcorn” Agora Patra 2014. It was a new experience seeing and being one in the group of only fresh candidates presenting themselves for all open positions.
Who were for you the outstanding members in 2014?
Quite some dozens could be named for their differing, but equally worthwhile, achievements. My pick is Réka Salamon from AEGEE-Debrecen and AEGEE-Aachen, who has simultaneously been very actively and productively involved in the work of several European-level committees, projects and initiatives. Naturally, also all active AEGEEans deserve a big appreciation for providing life-changing learning experiences to other youngsters with their committed daily work.
Which were for you the outstanding antennae in 2014?
Without any doubt, AEGEE-Pécs and AEGEE-Piliscsaba. Along with AEGEE-Debrecen, those were the two Hungarian antennae agreeing to join forces to co-organise a pretty ambitious all-Hungarian Travelling Summer University this year. As a result, 26 members from the three locals made it possible to 21 participants representing 12 nations from 23 universities to visit nine Hungarian cities during the 15 days of the event. I am truly thankful for having been able to be a part of this valuable experience. Those two antennae rocked the SU.
What were for you the outstanding projects in 2014?
Taking into account their visibility and impact, Europe on Track and Y Vote 2014 have both produced rather remarkable results by involving numerous members.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
Among many others, the Anniversary Event Series commemorating AEGEE’s 30th birthday as well as the upcoming training events of the “Democracy in Practice” project and our future statutory events in Burgos, Oviedo and Kyїv.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
Most importantly, I want to make sure we will find a new generation of true non-conformists for AEGEE-Debrecen, who will be willing to embrace all the magic that non-formal education through being an active AEGEE member has to offer.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
I will attend the joint New Year’s Eve Event of AEGEE-Moskva and AEGEE-Kyїv.

Durdana Boyukkishiyeva, Founder and President of AEGEE-Gəncə

DurdaneWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
My personal AEGEE highlight was organizing the first TSU of AEGEE-Gəncə, in cooperation with AEGEE-Baki. For Gandja, which is an eastern city with western ideas, it was something new and memorable.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
In my opinion reading the statement of principles all together with the participants of the Agora Cagliari was outstanding. That was the very moment where I felt real AEGEE spirit.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
I have several names in my mind, but if I say Ander Guerrero Ruiz, the President of AEGEE-Zaragoza, I hope everybody will agree that he is a positive and hardworking person, who spreads his AEGEE spirit wherever he is.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
AEGEE-Cagliari made the best Agora in 2014, which I enjoyed very much. I think they deserve to be the local of the year.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
The Election Observation Project has a very devoted team. As an AEGEEan from an Eastern Partership country I appreciate their hard work in observing election processes in this region. For me the Election Observation Project was outstanding in 2014.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
I’m foreseeing stimulating discussions about Russia and Ukraine in 2015. Again AEGEE will be the place where peaceful members from the locals of both countries will develop projects together – such as Agora Kyiv.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
Well, hopefully I will join AEGEE-Istanbul in 2015. Because of my job duties I am already moving to Istanbul. By the way it is going to be my third local. I started my AEGEE membership and board member experience in AEGEE-Baki, then I did my best to open the contact of AEGEE-Europe in Gandja and I’m glad that 2014 AEGEE-Gəncə was upgraded to antenna. This means the first and hard steps have been left behind and the next board can easily make their own interesting projects, live their AEGEE life fully.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
I would like to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Germany. I love their Christmas atmosphere… However, as I mentioned above I’m about to move to Istanbul, we are going to celebrate New Year there with my friends.

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