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 this eighth edition: read what Mayri Tiido, Gerardo García Díaz, Carlota Castle, Joanna Pankowska, Gökhan Ertuğrul and Šárka Vostarková said.

Mayri Tiido, Projects and Communications Director of AEGEE-Europe

Mayri TiidoWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
Autumn Agora Cagliari. After months in the office it was finally nice to see members, get feedback on our work and discuss the topics important for the development of the organisation.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
I found Luis’ speech at the closing ceremony of Agora Patra really moving. Moments like these are precious and the gratefulness of the network was visible also at the Agora Cagliari, where you could see standing ovations. They deserved it!
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
I would say all the active people in the network, who make AEGEE what it is today! It’s amazing how young people contribute their time to literally make our organisation happen. We change lives, we make a difference and all those people who contribute in their daily life to AEGEE – they are for me the most outstanding members.
Which were for you the outstanding antennae in 2014?
AEGEE-Cagliari, AEGEE-Patra and AEGEE-Lublin for their successful statutory events. AEGEE-Kharkiv and AEGEE-Sankt Peterburg for their great Network Meetings in difficult times and which I had the honour to attend.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
I am happy to see two new projects in the Network, Election Observation and Democracy in Practice, which have received a warm welcome and show us that simple things can be amazing.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
The 30th Anniversary of AEGEE.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
Mu plan is to have a successful year in the Comité Directeur. What happens next, I don’t know yet.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
I will spend it in Estonia with my beloved sister and friends.

 

Gerardo García Díaz, SUCT 2012-2014, AEGEE-Oviedo President, PRC and Academy member

Gerardo Garcia DiazWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
It may sound weird, but my highlight would be leaving SUCT. After two terms, two teams and a lot of work, I just feel proud of the things I’ve done since I got the position of Publications Responsible in Autumn Agora Budapest 2012, the people I worked with and how things went. For instance how the Summer University maps were improved and developed, how the website was finally updated, how we saved good money each term from our budget, investing money more efficiently… There have been things that will need to be polished by the new team and things that didn’t go as nice as expected, but the overall grade is satisfactory for me, and I’m really thankful to those who said they loved my work and found it useful. Also leaving SUCT once my objectives were completed is a highlight, since it allowed me to dedicate my time to other projects in the exciting AEGEE universe, such as Academy, PRC or my own antenna.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
I think that the events that occurred during the Spring Agora Patra, such as the exciting CD elections with three candidates for the President position and the few votes between Secretary General candidates made it a really special Agora. Also, the confirmation of AEGEE-Burgos as organiser of the EPM and AEGEE-Oviedo for the Agora was a memorable thing too, from the perspective that two events, separated by such a narrow time frame, will occur in also a narrow geographical distance in the North of Spain. Reasonably some called it “popcorn Agora”.
Who were for you the outstanding members in 2014?
Here again, the same problem as when you asked me last year: so many members, so little chance to know the work of them all. But among all the ones I know, and without any undervalue for the rest, the young and motivated Ksenia Lupanova from AEGEE-Moskva, PRC and SUCT deserves my respect. Nobody knows how can she be so energetic and having the chance to be, literally, everywhere every time and still performing so nicely. I’m looking forward to seeing her designs for SUCT, since I have no doubt they will be awesome – actually when she sent me a preview of a working file of the SU deadlines timeline I ratified myself on my thoughts.
Also, I would like to mention Jorge Sánchez, the man behind the rise of the phoenix in AEGEE-Dresden. I met him at Autumn Agora Zaragoza 2013, when he was the “freshman from Alicante” that made pics for the event… and have a look at him now and the things he did for his antenna. I think both Ksenia and Jorge represent motivation, work and love for AEGEE at its best. But as I say, there are for sure more people like them out there… that I haven’t had the pleasure to meet and include in here.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
Same case as in the previous question and as in last year. But If I have to choose an antenna from the ones I’m aware of their work, I will go again for AEGEE-Dresden without any doubt. Risen back from the ashes by a guy that moved from Alicante to Germany in order to study and all the “fools that believed in his project”, they just became “full antenna” with a lot of projects in mind and in reality. They just had a very successful RTC as their first international event. The motivation of their members is amazing. I met Max, their PR, at PRES Poznan and I saw it from the very first time. It looks like there are a lot of great things in their future. Keep it up, guys!
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
Next year we will see the rebirth of several projects as their new editions… and I’m curious about whether they will keep the same roadmap or they will find new approaches for the same goal. Also, we will have CD elections again, and after two terms with the same team not that long ago seems exciting for me to see what will happen. Agora Kyiv also sounds quite good for me!
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
Now that I left SUCT, and even though I will be always up to help the new team if they need me, I will increase my efforts in the Academy and the PRC, helping as much as possible, but without loosing focus of my position of President in AEGEE-Oviedo and PR responsible, alongside with Elena Sicilia, at Spring AgorAsturias 2015. A year full of projects and dreams to come true, but with AEGEE spirit enough to manage it all.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
There are a lot of nice AEGEE New Year events around my place, but this time I will stay at home for dinner and have fun with my old friends from high school until the sun comes up, with some chocolate con churros for breakfast. Sometimes it feels nice to get back to the non-AEGEE experiences!

 

Carlota Castle, multiple event organiser and former board member of AEGEE-Zaragoza

Carlota Castel2What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
My two personal highlights were the two events that I organised. “Maños 3.0: Born to be Maños” and the Summer University “Kingdom of the Dragon vol3: ART Attack”. The team of organisers in both events was just amazing, I loved the participants and I felt really proud, because they told us the events were really fun and that they liked Zaragoza and the region of Aragon a lot. I have many, many memories of everything that happened during the daylight of those two events. Thank you, organisers and participants, friends!
Now I wonder about the nights… AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
I couldn’t go to Agora Patra, EBM Lublin or Agora Cagliari due to problems with my studies, so I remember watching the streaming of Agora Patra in the office of our antenna with my friend Juan Vallés. We drank a tequila when we saw that the EPM was going to be celebrated in Burgos and the Agora was for AEGEE-Oviedo. I remember that evening as a really happy one.
Who were for you the outstanding members in 2014? 
I just cannot choose one so here I go: My first is Ava Vazeh Rasekh Modabberi (a.k.a. Ava) for her best year in AEGEE so far. She has used AEGEE for her personal development, improved her Spanish… She has a key role in AEGEE-Zaragoza and I feel she should be more recognised. I especially want to encourage her to get more points for her antenna, as she used to do before. Go Ava, we trust you! My second is Léa Charlet, because she has never lost her motivation and she keeps on working for La Nav’, our region, as subcommie. She rocks it. And finally, Sasha Okhrimenko, because she was the craziest participant in our Summer University and because… Sasha. You know her already.
Yes, we do… Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
For me, the Ukranian antennae were the most outstanding in 2014. I am sure AEGEE-Kyiv will do an amazing job organising next Autumn Agora, I’ll surely be there! But maybe my answer is conditioned, because I just want so bad to go to Ukraine now. I have made friends from there, so now I am in love with Ukraine even if I have never been there. I hope to end this situation soon, as I am gonna apply for an SU there. So, wait for me, Ukraine!
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
Personally, I really like Health4Youth as a project. I think it is a really interesting one, that is necessary and they are doing a great job. Let’s see if I can get more involved in it or in some events related to it next year.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
I actually talked about this question with the rest of the antenna, and, as we are supermotivated and wanted to explore every single topic, we decided that we want it all happening in Zaragoza. So the big topic next year is Zaragoza organising the EPM 2015, probably an Agora and – who knows – every single NWM of AEGEE-Europe. Yes, we are so motivated that we are gonna organise every single one!
Fantastic plan. Maybe the Golden Times should make a new section then: “News from Zaragoza”. What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
I have loads of crazy plans to organise with my antenna and friends. As an antenna, we are organising an event to solve a problem we have right now in Zaragoza: inbreeding, which means everyone is in a couple with someone else from the antenna. There are only a few singles left, so the antenna is not getting a lot of points now. In this event, singles from Zaragoza will work hard to get points and become the antenna we used to be. This event is called Maños 4.0 and will be the pre-event to AgorAsturias. I invite everyone to apply, we’ll have fun! Guaranteed!
Personally, and without any doubt, my most important plan is visiting my friend Harry, from Burgos, the most popular Spanish guy in AEGEE. He is always inviting people from Zaragoza, because we are like family – actually, I see him more often I see my granny. So I owe him a visit.
Finally, I am planning to candidate as a new main editor of the Golden Times. What do you think about it, Gunnar?
Depends on what you offer. How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
I planned to spend New Year’s night in Zaragoza, having a calm dinner with my family and then maybe have some drinks with my friends. Nevertheless, everyone in AEGEE-Zaragoza felt like spending that night together so we all applied massively to the New Year’s party organised by AEGEE-Madrid. So I am going to spend that night with my friends from Zaragoza, Alicante, Madrid, Oviedo, Barcelona, Tarragona… and maybe more. Sure it’ll be a very special night. And by special I mean drunk.

 

Joanna Pankowska, President of AEGEE-Warszawa and maybe soon coordinator of Health4Youth II

Joanna PankowskaWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
Finally visiting the CD house during the Election Observation Project meeting.
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
I have no choice but to say the wedding between Panda and Polar Bear, which took place during the Autumn Agora Cagliari 2014.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
Pavel Zbornik. I am very impressed with what he accomplished during his two terms as a CD member.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
AEGEE-Gdańsk, because they rose from the ashes like a mythical Phoenix.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
AEGEE’s 30th birthday!
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
I really want to get in contact with the alumni from AEGEE-Warszawa. I have been planning to do this already for a long time, but there is always something more urgent to do, so I hope I will find time in 2015 to re-establish this contact.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
Drinking “Traditional Slovenian drinks” during the New Year’s event organized by AEGEE-Ljubljana.

 

Gökhan Ertuğrul, President of AEGEE-Istanbul

What was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
My personal AEGEE highlight in 2014 was organizing a Summer University with AEGEE-Izmir, which was really effective to make the relations between two locals’ members stronger.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
For me it was Aycan Samiloglu from AEGEE-Istanbul, who is our former secretary, since she was very active both on local level and on statutory events and she is in our local Audit Commission to help us with her experience. And also Alfio Koshimanu Bonaccorsi from AEGEE-Catania, since he was the one of the best participants in our SU.
Which was for you the outstanding antenna in 2014?
It was AEGEE-Magusa, they organized the best NWM ever. And AEGEE-Skopje, which made a great pre-event before Agora Patra.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
I assume that it is going to be 30th Anniversary of AEGEE, which is really great.
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
Firstly my biggest plan is do my best as a president and achieve all our goals that we promised in our local Agora.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?
Unfortunately I will be studying. Thanks to my great university I have my final exams in New Year’s week…

 

Šárka Vostarková, President of AEGEE-Praha

Sarka VostarkovaWhat was your personal AEGEE highlight in 2014?
Every year there are moments that you want to keep in mind and not forget. I really enjoyed the events that I took part in, the hard work in the AEGEE-Praha board as well as all the fun that AEGEE is bringing me. But as my real personal highlight I would like to mention meeting with people interested in becoming board members and asking me, convincing me to continue for my second turn as president. These moments give you energy to continue!
AEGEE-Europe had many memorable moments in 2014. Which one do you remember most vividly or was outstanding?
For me it was the election of the new CD. In our organization we need strong leaders and I truly believe that we elected the right people for these important positions.
Who was for you the outstanding member in 2014?
I don’t want to name a person. In AEGEE there is nothing you can do as an individual, you always need a team to make a great impact.
Which were for you the outstanding antennae in 2014?
AEGEE-Patra, AEGEE-Lublin and AEGEE-Cagliari for hosting the greatest events we have in AEGEE. There are also other antennae that deserve to be mention for their great work, but these three are the most impressive.
What was for you the outstanding project in 2014?
This year it was about the election of the European Parliament; Y Vote did a great job with that, so this is my number one.
What do you foresee as a highlight or big topic in AEGEE in 2015?
A big topic not only for AEGEE but for whole Europe will be  the ongoing discussion about Russia and Ukraine. And as a highlight I would like to see the 30th anniversary to show not only what is behind us but where we as AEGEE are going!
What are your personal AEGEE plans for 2015?
In October I was re-elected as a President of AEGEE-Praha, so I would like to continue the hard work we already started last year. There are many interesting projects planned, for example a conference regarding Youth Employment that you all are invited to attend! Do not forget to like our Facebook page to be update what AEGEE-Praha is doing: www.facebook.com/AEGEE.Praha.
How and where will you spend New Year’s night?​
​For the first time I will not spend New Year’s night with snow, but I will be enjoying hopefully sun at Madeira.

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