After some open call extensions we finally have a name… the hosting local for the Autumn Agora 2016 is AEGEE-Chişinău! We spoke with the President and Main Organiser of the statutory event, Andrei Dodiţa, and the core team to have a sneak peak of what has to come. Plus, to present themselves, the organisers have prepared a short video which you can view here.
The AEGEEan: Why did you decide to apply?
Core team: Organising an Agora was the biggest challenge for us. AEGEE-Chişinău has a rich experience in organising different kind of projects, both on national and international levels and as a result, we reached the peak and needed a new motivation. Hence, the Agora was the most suitable solution and the perfect new purpose. AEGEE-Chişinău has all that is necessary to organise the Agora: the beauty of the country, the hospitality of the people and an enthusiastic, experienced team. So far, it will be the first and biggest international event ever in Moldova and we are really excited we will be the ones organising it. We plan to place Chişinău steadily on the map of AEGEE-Europe. Last but not least, organising an Agora in Chişinău was a personal goal and dream of the President of AEGEE-Chişinău, Andrei Dodiţa, and he was our biggest motivator.
Why didn’t you apply on the first open call?
During our local’s General Assembly, which took place in September, initially, we agreed to apply for Spring Agora 2017. But, due to some favorable circumstances, we had another Assembly and, after the evaluation of our antenna, we decided to apply for the Autumn Agora 2016. Thereby, we have taken a good decision.
Present your local!
AEGEE- Chişinău was founded on the 4th of June 1999, so in June 2016, we will celebrate our 17th anniversary. In the last two years, AEGEE- Chişinău has organised and hosted ten projects, four of which on national level – namely: PROject for YOUth vol. I in 2014, Let’s Start to Grow in 2014, PROject for YOUth vol. II in 2015 and Be efficient in 2015; and six projects on European level – namely Check-in in Moldova Summer University in 2014, Exchange with AEGEE-Mannheim in 2014, local host for the Election Observation Mission in Moldova in 2014, The Hottest Summer School Summer University in 2015, 4 seasons 3 reasons 2 countries 1 story Traveling Summer University in 2015 with AEGEE-Bucureşti and Taste the Moldavian Hospitality Autumn Agora Kyïv Pre event.
Around 359 young people took part in these projects took part, among which 111 were foreign students.
Who is in the core team?
The core team is formed by the most active, motivated and experienced members that we have in AEGEE- Chişinău: Andrei Dodiţa – the president of the local and the main organiser of the Agora; Aliona Ciorba – the best project manager and members coordinator from our local; Arsenis Tselengidis – former President of AEGEE Thessaloniki, former Network Commissioner and Member of Pool of Representatives; Vali Bala – one of the most experienced members and a very good project manager; Lucia Gori – the former president of our local and one of the longest-serving members; Anisoara Tricolici and Maria Josan – the PR responsible and Secretary of the local and two of the most involved and dedicated members and Ana Gancearuc and Ina Botnari – two of the most experienced longest-serving members.
Can you give us a sneak peek of what you are preparing (facilities, plenaries, also food)?
Everything will be a big surprise for you, as big as our application was for the Comité Directeur, so we will keep this a secret. But, be sure you will feel like home in Chişinău. You will try the best food and the most delicious wine that you have ever tasted. So far, all the foreign participants have agreed with us on that. We have the support of municipality and Ministry of Youth and Sport, so everything will be on a high level.
How can we reach Chişinău? What has Chişinău to offer?
Chişinău is starting to have better connection to Europe via direct flights, however most low-cost airlines fly to the nearby hubs in Romania like Bucharest, Iasi and Bacau. From there, and some other nearby major cities, there are numerous train and bus connections to Chişinău (especially Bucharest, Iasi, Cluj-Napoca and Kyïv) and, in some cases, central and even western Europe (Moskva, L’viv, Praha, Sofia, Aachen, Kraków, etc). Of course, Moldova has a strong reputation for hospitality so hitchhiking is common and recommended for the complete experience!
Andrei Dodiţa, president and main organiser of Autumn Agora 2016
Even if Chişinău is a small city, it has a very big heart. You will visit one of the greenest cities in Europe, with free wi-fi everywhere and very cordial and beautiful people.
What were you doing when the CD delivered the news and how did you feel about it?
Andrei Dodiţa: I received the news at midnight and the good thing is that when I got the answer I was already in bed so it saved me from falling down. I couldn’t fall asleep that night because the movie of Agora being held in Chişinău was constantly running in front of my eyes. Being extremely excited, I started calling my core team to share the news with them but they were all already sleeping [he laughs, ed].
Written by Erika Bettin, AEGEE-Verona