Right now, Maria Arends is a Network Commissioner until Agora Asturias, was Secretary of Health4Youth project and also an active member of the Language Working Group. She also job shadowed Mayri Tiido (Projects Director) in January 2015, was a subcommissioner of Patricia Anthony for AEGEE-Durham and was Co-founder and Speaker of the Human Rights Working Group. Maria Arends takes it up to the next level and is now running for member of the Comité Directeur (CD). Therefore, we asked her a few questions about her vision and plans for the CD work.
The AEGEEan: Let us start by introducing yourself. Who is Maria Arends? 
Maria: A 25-year old member of AEGEE-Groningen and AEGEE-Tarragona, student of Hispanic philology, who’s hopefully gonna graduate soon! Apart from that, I’m a Network Commissioner for the locals in the north (which we call often ‘Nordic Stars, because they are stars! ) [she smiles] and project manager of Democracy in Practice. But apart from an active AEGEEan, I’m interested in psychology, I love doing sports and I’m interested in health-related topics in general, I like to be busy doing creative things but I don’t have any special talent or so, and I like to write and learn languages!
Why do you want to run for member of the Comité Directeur? Why not for president?
Because I think I have what it takes to become either Projects or Network Director, and that is also what I am passionate about. Take a look at my task related experience in my candidature, and I think you will understand. Furthermore, I have learnt a lot from being part of different projects and working groups and also from my involvement in the Network Commission (NetCom), and I believe that I am not the only one. I would really like to work on ensuring others to have the same wonderful experience as I had, which I believe to be doing more effectively by working directly with the network (whether that is through project teams and working groups or through the locals).
According to you, what would be your best experience in AEGEE and why?
The Network Commission is definitely my best experience, because it’s dynamic, there are always a gazillion of things to do, it makes you part of two amazing teams (Network Commission and team of subcommies), you can already start working 24/7 for AEGEE, [she smiles] and the locals… The most motivating thing in the world is to see how they develop, to see them grow, and to be able to help them! So, even though NetCom seems like a lot of administrative work, it actually is really social as well!
What motivates you to involve in AEGEE activities?
It started with my idealistic point of view on things and how I thought AEGEE can change the world, but now it is rather to see how we all develop ourselves within this wonderful organisation. I tend to think that I have really learnt a lot in my time in AEGEE, and that’s very important to me. Besides that, of course I think we can still achieve a lot, mainly through educating people, but also through advocating for certain rights/interests.
What is your vision of the CD work? 
As I have been shadowing Mayri Tiido in January, I have quite an idea of what the tasks are. First of all, there are the tasks that you do in your position, whether that’s maintaining the network, following the work of projects and working groups, or keeping communication channels updated. Furthermore, there are a lot of meetings and Skype meetings, preparations for the statutory events and Network Meetings, reading and answering thousands of emails, dealing with the administration of whatever you are responsible for within the team… Then there are of course still some projects, changes the CD wants to implement which need to be developed. And of course a lot of representation, whether that is internally or externally.
Apart from that, I think a strong team building in the beginning as well as during the term is important. Besides this, I would like to see the team reflecting upon their own work and giving feedback to others. I think being open and honest towards each other and have a relationship based on trust with your team mates is one of the most important factors for a CD to work well. Furthermore, of course I hope besides all of the work that we have to do, we would also be able to spend quality time together!
Do you consider yourself a team player?
I have been a part of many different teams in AEGEE and I have always loved it, working on something together is so much better than doing it alone. So yes, I think I am a team player.
How do you see AEGEE in the next two years? 
Quite similar, but more developed in Euroskeptic countries, and generally having members who are more aware of AEGEE’s work and their own role in it. Furthermore, we will have effective working groups and Action Agendas with objectives that are achieved. There will be a lot of conferences on relevant topics. We will still not have a national level, but more cooperation among different locals (that is, also in areas where this is not so common yet).
Can you be objective when it comes to taking a decision, even if that decision violates your own principles ?
I always try to be objective and to look at the different side of things. If I would be elected for the Comité Directeur, I would of course try to be as objective as possible in making decisions. However, we shouldn’t forget that I am human as well, so of course I cannot actually be objective. [she smiles]
Anyway, this is also why you work in a team: you can ask each other for help when things get close to you. And this is something I already do, as a Netcommie you also have to be objective and I have often asked others whether they think I am being fair, and that is something that I would keep on doing.
What would you bring to the team in order for good communication and dynamics to be assured? 
I am a positive person, so I would bring my positive and problem solving spirit. Also, I would bring a critical point of view. Besides that, I find communication and reflection very important, so I would make sure there would be time allocated in our busy agendas for discussing how that is going and giving each other feedback. Furthermore, I like to help people and I like to listen to them, so on a personal level that is also something I would bring.
According to you, what is the most important quality a CD member should have and why do you think that?
Oh there are many, but if I have to choose one, I choose flexibility. Imagine living in a house with nine people and working together with seven, there will be conflicts, there will be differences in how you approach certain situations, and even though I think it is good to talk about them, it is also good to know how to give in to things. Everyone should be happy in the end!
If you are not elected, what will you do?
I don’t know the specifics of what I am going to do afterwards, of course stay project manager of Democracy in Practice, I would also like to be Hanna Alajõe’s subcommie if she lets me (and if she’s elected [she smiles]), and look for a job and a nice city to live in. That’s actually something I’m excited about as well, and I am confident that whatever is supposed to happen will happen, so now it’s up to the stars to decide what that might be! [she smiles]
Written by Gabriela Geană, AEGEE-București