Who is the AEGEE member of the year 2014? Which antenna, which project was the best? The Golden Times asked more than 60 locally or Europeanly active members. In this seventh edition: read what Ander Guerrero, Andrea Schmelz, Aleksandra Sasha Okhrimenko, Arsenis Tselengidis, Agata Kolenda and Andra Berilă said.

Ander Guerrero, President of AEGEE-Zaragoza

Ander GuerreroWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
Although being elected as President of AEGEE-Zaragoza a few months ago was a personal highlight that I will never forget, this year my heart was shared with AEGEE-Gdansk. I spent this year as an Erasmus in the lovely Tri-city and after finishing all my commitments as an organizer of the Agora Zaragoza and getting all the paperwork for my international exchange sorted, I asked people of AEGEE-Gdansk if I could participate in their activities. A few weeks later, I found myself integrated in an awesome antenna full of charming and caring people, where I was able to organize as many events as the language barrier allowed me: New Year’s event, TSU as Incoming Responsible and an exchange with AEGEE-Helsinki. Being there has taught me another style of organisation and allowed me to get to know the Polish and eastern antennae. Even more, it was an incredible experience and gave me the opportunity to meet a group of people I now call friends that will always be in my heart.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
This year AEGEE-Zaragoza managed to send a lot of members to Agora Cagliari and many of us were former organizers or participants. Being in my beloved Italy – my beginnings in AEGEE – one year after our Agora was held, was really special and touching for us. When I saw the Comité Directeur announcing AEGEE-Kyiv as organizer-to-be for the next Autumn Agora I couldn’t believe it. I was very surprised and thrilled! This year, I was participant in one of my favourite event ever, the EBM pre-event of AEGEE-Lviv, and Ukraine and its people have become part of my heart. So, the Agora announcement was clearly for me the most memorable moment of AEGEE-Europe of 2014: for what it represents and the support for the Ukrainian antennae and the unity of Europe! Can’t wait to be there!
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
I don’t like choosing just one, because in the end, AEGEE is possible thanks to the hard work of hundreds of its member that nearly anonymously dedicate a lot of their time and motivation to organize projects and activities in their antennae. For me, all of them are the outstanding member and without them this association wouldn’t exist.
Which were for you the outstanding antennae in 2014?
The first answer that comes to my mind is AEGEE-Zaragoza, because we continue as motivated as always, more perhaps, and this year many projects took place, like an awesome Network Meeting or another epic TSU, and I can let you know that a lot of new projects will come soon. I would also like to mention AEGEE-Cagliari for its awesome work during the whole year; AEGEE-Baku for its determination to grow and organize many projects far, far away; and one more time, AEGEE-Gdansk because I see a lot of future in that antenna and more great things to come ahead.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
Y vote 2014. Maybe the outcome wasn’t as good as expected, but I think it was remarkable and needs to be distinguished for all the antennae and people that were part as organizers, team or participants led by my beloved Léa Charlet.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
If we combine the topic of EPM Burgos and that the next Autumn Agora will be in Kyiv, in my opinion, this year AEGEE will turn, as it needs to, towards the East. Tackling the situation of Russia and Europe and how it affects the youth is necessary. This conflict, in all its aspects, affects all of us. In addition, it is high time that AEGEE starts to care about Gender Equality and LGBT issues and I want to see some events taking place about these topics. Based on my experience of what I have seen around Europe, a lot of work needs to be done, especially in the youth field in LGTB, and we, as a strong, interdisciplinary and more open-minded organization, should start tackling this issue more directly as soon as possible. I know it is complicated, but it should be one of our priorities: to be free and express ourselves no matter which country you are in.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
Finally this year I will be finishing my studies and that will allow me to dedicate even more of my time to AEGEE or to some projects I hope to organize. As a fundraising responsible in many events and a member of the renewed Corporate Responsible Committee, I hope it will start to be modified finally next year in order to make AEGEE financially sustainable in the long term and to increase fundraising in the association. And as President of AEGEE-Zaragoza I want this antenna to keep on working hard and preserve AEGEE-Zaragoza as one of the strongest antennae in the Network!
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
I still don’t know it. It sounds boring, but I was planning to try to work and study. So, sadly, this year I don’t have either the money or time to go to other country but I would really have loved to go to the New Year’s event of Moscow and Kyiv. However, last year I wasn’t at home during the whole Christmas and I need to rest a little bit from all this intensive year, so, family and friends sound like a perfect option! No matter where I will be, for sure party will take place: as always, I’m optimistic – and Spanish!
Just want to wish all the people Marry Xmas and a Happy 2015 full of happiness and new ideas!

 

Andrea Schmelz, Network Commissioner

Andrea SchmelzWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
The famous Christmas Dinner in Delft on the 12th of December. We had lots of amazing food, good times with our Twins and a reunion with my antenna from Passau. How could that not be my personal highlight?
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
I believe that was the Closing Plenary of Agora Cagliari. After a while it just got very exciting, chaotic and the discussions were so heated, it felt as if no air was left in the room. I was glad to be a visitor at the time, so I could watch everything from a more relaxed perspective.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
I would not be able to decide only for one. The names that pop up immediately in my mind are AEGEE-Aachen, AEGEE-Cagliari and AEGEE-Dresden. You always hear about this awesome antenna in Aachen and when you actually attend your first event there, in my case the Network Meeting, you realize why these rumours came into existence. Our gym got cancelled on the day of our arrival and they took this piece of information as if somebody has just broken a glass. How can organizers be even more beartastic? Speaking of amazing organizers, I have to think of Agora Cagliari. At my last Agora I was pretty sick and did not exactly have the time of my life, but in the end I decided to give it another try. And AEGEE-Cagliari just did the most amazing job, making me happily return in a somewhat healthy condition, being excited for the next Agora. Well and last but not least, of course, AEGEE-Dresden. This antenna is such a shooting star – they were able to fulfil almost every antenna criteria before even signing the CdA. I wish them the brightest future and I am excited to see more.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
That was the Election Observation Project. I learnt of it when I saw all these Facebook pictures of people popping up – pictures which showed them in Scotland, for example, where they took part in the Election Observation Team. It gives me the feeling that we are actually able to contribute directly to important issues and can go beyond the endless discussions.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
EPM Burgos and its topic – I do not even dare to name it. Already the title creates so much heated discussion and conflict. But I am very much looking forward to February. I wish the content managers good luck with their work. They have a challenging task. But I am optimistic that AEGEE is able to create a dialogue as our history has shown us before.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
I want to make the most out of my time as Network Commissioner! I already e-met with most of my antennae and the network that has been created among them during Holger’s and Julia’s term is stronger than ever. My subcommies and I have this great foundation to work with, I hope we can support the locals to achieve some memorable things.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
I will be in Denmark, most likely in Kolding where I live. Unfortunately I have three assignment deadlines coming up directly after New Year’s, so the party will be a bit small. But I used to work this night for the last years, so that’s already quite an improvement for me.

 

Aleksandra Sasha Okhrimenko, President of AEGEE-Lviv

Sasha OkhrimenkoWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
I can highlight a lot of moments. We had a year of wonderful events here in Lviv: the pre-event of EBM Lublin – our first winter event, an LTC with a fabulous logo, twelve members of AEGEE-Lviv in Agora Cagliari, we are beating all our scores. A twin antennae agreement with AEGEE-Napoli, after so many years of friendship between different generations. For sure our TSU with AEGEE-Bratislava, we had a great cooperation from the very beginning, and stayed really good friends. Of course my SU in Zaragoza, after I visited Agora Zaragoza I had to come back. And our Katastrofa moments during Agora Patra.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
Of course the most awaited Agora Cagliari. The guys were working really hard and they managed everything successfully. Bravo AEGEE-Cagliari and team!
Who were for you the outstanding members in 2014?
They are my friends: Maryana Semenyak, who put so many efforts for activating, informing and changing people from Ukrainian and other locals; and Ander Guererro Ruiz, President of AEGEE-Zaragoza, a really motivating and hardworking president!
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
Those locals that organized all statutory events this year. Can’t even imagine the scope of work they did.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
The Election Observation Project.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
I believe that’s going to be the EU-Ukraine-Russia relations as EPM Burgos topic.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
Lead and develop AEGEE-Lviv and of course rock Agora Kyiv together with AEGEE-Kyiv.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
Finally this year I am going to be in Lviv. We invited AEGEE friends all over the Europe to come and join us.

 

Arsenis Tselengidis, former Network Commissioner

Arsenis TselengidisWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
For sure the experiences that I had in the Network Commission! They included everything; from laugh and fun to anger and tears! It was very hard – working almost 24/7, but at the same time very rewarding. Also, giving up the Romanian and Moldovan locals at Agora Patra was one of the toughest decisions that I had ever taken… I cried during the Agora and I was trying to hide myself from 700 people!
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
For sure the change of the Comité Directeur in Agora Patra. It was hard for us to let the team of Luis Alvarado Martinez leave. Each one of them contributed to the best in the last two years. One of the best CD teams we have ever had in AEGEE!
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
And of course, I am not going to give a different answer than I did in the past; each one the dragons of the Network Commission speaker team of the term Agora Patra to Agora Cagliari. I was already familiar with the hard worker Mattia Abis, we had seen each other work for the previous six months, but working with Ana Potocnik was something totally new. Eventually, it proved that Ana adjusted immediately and the speaker team was working faster than the speed of light! Every moment with those two was hard work and absolute fun at the same time! I would definitely work with both of them in and outside of AEGEE anytime in the future!
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
In order to be objective, I will not mention any of the locals that I was responsible for as Network Commissioner. Since I moved out here in the north to Sweden, I am a bit tracking the north locals and I have to say that AEGEE-Helsinki is doing a great job! It’s tough here in the north to gather people and create a sustainable local.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
I would say Health4Youth… of course! Maybe because we closed this cycle at Agora Cagliari after two amazing years, so I feel emotionally attached to this project! I hope the next team will experience the same amazing spirit like I did with Matthijs, Maria, Mayri, Sygrit, Zlatko, Wouter, Yeray and all the other members!
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
For sure the 30th anniversary of AEGEE and the Europe-Russia topic of the EPM.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
I have set other priorities for this year. Thus, this year I will only try to go to any Spring Network Meeting and hopefully to an SU – I haven’t been to any, since my first in Oviedo in 2011. I will think about later after the summer events and activities.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
I have no idea yet. For sure I will spend the previous week in Greece and I will return to Sweden on 30th. But, I haven’t decided yet where I will spend the following night. In Sweden? In Norway? In Denmark? It depends on how I will wake up on the 31st in the morning! How? Probably frozen…

 

Agata Kolenda, President of AEGEE-Gdańsk

Agata KolendaWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
For me year 2014 in AEGEE was very fruitful, so I can not decide. When I was thinking about all those moments I came up with several very important. When a fresh member of AEGEE-Gdańsk or participant at our TSU says to me that they see my work and spirit and it inspires them to being active – and later on I can see them as coordinators or members of their local boards, it makes me so proud!
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
Dominika Calińska, because as a fresh member of AEGEE-Gdańsk she decided to coordinate our biggest and hardest event: New Year’s Eve in Gdańsk. And she is simply awesome, making this event possible. Also Anna Sojat and Ula Gemza, girls from AEGEE-Wrocław that I have prepared our TSU with. For me they are outstanding, because they are rebuilding AEGEE-Wrocław from scratch. And It’s not an easy job. Good luck girls!
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
AEGEE-Cagliari, because for me they organised the best Agora. AEGEE-Wrocław, for rebuilding their local.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
The Health4Youth Conference in Gdańsk. It was the biggest and the most succesful conference that AEGEE-Gdańsk made since I’m a member.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
Being an active member of AEGEE.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
This is a simple question. At the New Year’s Eve Oscar Party in Gdańsk!

 

Andra Berila, former Academy Speaker, former President of AEGEE-Bucuresti

Andra Berila2What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
I think that my personal highlight was finishing my term as president of AEGEE-Bucuresti. It was a great year and, in 2014, my boardies and I managed to put in practice a lot of cool ideas.
Who were for you the outstanding members in 2014?
I remember Agora Patra and the elections of the new CD, it was a very interesting Agora all in all, but I felt a lot of tension when choosing the new CD and we were all so curious to find out the final result. I remember the moment like this: it was late in the evening, dinner time had already started, but we stayed in the plenary room to see the results, risking not to get any food at all.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
For me it has to be Lyda, as she took over in the Academy board, and she has done a lot of cool things in the Academy.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
AEGEE-Cluj Napoca, because of their energy and their cool event for Y Vote, that they did in spring. And also AEGEE-Kyiv, because they are very motivated and I really trust they will organize a very good Agora next autumn.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
I think it was PRES Poznan, even if I didn’t participate, I think it was very well organized and it had a very good image and promotion. Big like!
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
I am not sure, I think there will be more hot topics, such as the Agora in Kyiv, Summer Universites going to next level with SUPS moved to winter 2015, and with many collaborations between locals and the Academy for next SUs, a cool T4T in Bucuresti in spring 2015, and of course, choosing a new CD, that is always interesting.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
My personal plans are to help my local with what I can, and maybe participate at a one last Agora. I will not be very active, as I need to focus on my work. So in 2015 I will be making my transition to becoming an alumni member of my local.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
I don’t know yet. Plans can change in the very last moment.

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