Whenever you do an internet search on ‘Lia Tuska’ and ‘Agora’, you will find a multitude of articles written by her. She
decided to step out of the fringe and into the limelight as she announced her candidature for Secretary of the Agora. The AEGEEan wondered, whether there is more to know about this honourable member of AEGEE-Sofia and decided to ask her a few questions.
The AEGEEan: People can be as diverse as there are pages in a book. To those who don’t know your story yet, Lia, who are you?
Lia: I am Lia Tuska, currently member of AEGEE-Sofia. I found out about AEGEE more than two years ago when with some other students in Kastoria, we established AEGEE-Kastoria. I already had experience with bureaucracy from other NGOs and I helped a lot there. I was member of the board for two years (IT in 2012 and secretary on 2013). Later, I joined Information Technology Committee and in June of 2013 I got elected Vice-Speaker. On October 2013, I got elected Secretary of Human Rights Working Group. At Agora Zaragoza, I got the chance to be Secretary’s Assistant. After that, I was Subcommissioner of Arsenis Tselengidis(AEGEE-Thessaloniki), responsible for AEGEE-Athina, AEGEE-Nicosia, AEGEE-Patra and AEGEE-Peiraias. That motivated me more to apply as a Network Commissioner myself and now I am responsible for the Dutch-speaking and (after Arsenis’ resignation) the Greek-speaking locals. Last but not least, my passion on Human Rights led me to join the core team of Democracy in Practice Project with the position of the PR Responsible.
People don’t drift coolly out of nowhere and apply for a position on the Agora. Lia, could you tell us something about your experiences with AEGEE?
I have experience of doing Secretary tasks inside and outside AEGEE. I am Secretary of a local cultural center in my hometown, Serres. I was Secretary of AEGEE-Kastoria. I was Secretary’s Assistant at Agora Zaragoza. I kept the minutes of the Prytanium “An Updated AEGEE Identity”. I am Secretary of Human Rights Working Group. I finished my six months internship as secretary’s assistant in a Lifelong Learning Center in May.
Of all the positions you could have chosen from, why did you decide to run for Secretary of the Agora/EPM?
For some people the Secretary’s position might seem boring and difficult, but I really love every moment of that. I was thinking of applying as Secretary of the Agora for a long time. After attending Peace Revolution European Fellowship, I spent a lot of time thinking of what am I going to do next in my life. The retreat helped me a lot to see things more clearly and decide what I really wanted to do. I love challenging myself. Someone told me to follow my dreams. So I decided to do it!
Of course you’re not the first member of AEGEE-Sofia to apply for the position of Secretary, Elena Antova has fulfilled the position of Secretary of the Agora in Mannheim in 2013. Have you two been in touch or exchanging tips?
Elena is one of the members that I admire in AEGEE. When she sent the open call for Secretary’s Assistants, I was really busy with exams so I missed it. The deadline for applying was extended, so I took the chance and I applied. I was so happy when Elena announced me a couple of months later that I was going to be her assistant. It was like a birthday gift (yes, it was on my birthday). She was really helpful preparing me before the Agora. During the Agora, we had some meetings and she gave me some advices. Later, when we met after the Agora, for AEGEE-Sofia’s Birthday Party, she told me that I was the best assistant she had so far.
And now a question from our readers: you are involved in many projects, you are a current Network Commissioner and, should you be elected as the Secretary of the Agora, your duties will extent past Statutory Events. How will you deal with such a big workload?
After Agora Cagliari, my only AEGEE activities are Network Commissioner and PR of Democracy in Practice Project. I have worked with Elena Antova as her assistant and we have discussed, with her and also with current Secretary of the Agora, Danae Matakou, about the workload before the Agora. They both agreed that the biggest workload of the Secretary of the Agora is after the Agora. I have managed to do many things in the same time and I have succeed. After Agora Asturias, my only activity will be being PR of Democracy in Practice and I am sure I can deal with it. After all, I’m not going to work alone. I’ll have my team of assistants.
Written by Willem Laurentzen, AEGEE-Nijmegen