AEGEE stands for cultural diversity and tolerance, so it comes without saying the importance of the Social Equity Working Group. Applying for Spring Agora’s SEWG position, we can find the candidature of Marga Arbina Martínez, member of AEGEE-Oviedo.
Marga joined AEGEE back in 2016, and it took her no time to get deeply involved in a local and international level. Marga has two years of experience in Human Resources in her antena, and has also organised a Mini European School on self-development in 2017. On a European level, she has been a member of the Equal Rights Working Group (2019-2020) and EPM Barcelona 2020’s Content Manager on Gender Equality, drawing truly interesting speeches given by people from different backgrounds.
Have you seen an evolution in Social Equity among AEGEE members and events?
I’ve been part of the organisation for three and a half years now and I don’t think this is enough time to see a significant change. I’ve mainly known AEGEE with a working group that was focused on these topics so I can’t compare to what was like before. Nevertheless, I believe that we are working in the right direction and little by little people are starting to be more aware and educated on the topic, although there is still a long way to go.
In your program proposal, you have mentioned a lack of communication between locals and working groups. Why do you think this happens and how would you change it?
There have always been two very separated groups within AEGEE: European level and local level. That’s not only a problem of the working groups but of all EBs. I sensed it when I was part of the local board and working at a local level and I sense it now that I’m working at the European level. We’ve been discussing this issue recently during some sessions organised by La Tripulación to analyse La Nave’s situation and everyone has the same feeling: EBs seem to be too far away, too inaccessible (not literally, we are just an email away, but metaphorically). We need to change that, be more visible, attend and organise events so that people get to know us personally and they don’t feel intimidated when contacting us. We need to give them the confidence to do so. The Network Commission is also key for that. We need to have fluent communication with them.
During your experience as part of the Equal Rights Working Group, you have highlighted the importance of having time to talk about your lives and personal matters. How do you think that this could implement the efficiency of the SEWG members?
I believe that when your teammates become your friends it is always easier to work and get things done, to trust them and to be willing to work with them. That’s what I intend to achieve with the working group next year and I hope I can manage to do so. Of course it’s something that takes time and I know it’s not going to be something that happens from minute one, but after working for a whole year together, I think we will end up being friends more than co-workers.
Which events or trainings that AEGEE has held recently do you consider has had a positive influence towards social equity?
I believe that during the EPM we were able to attend some amazing sessions on some of the topics that we will be working on the SEWG next year. I’ve also heard that the Hermainy training for trainers in Moscow about gender mainstreaming was amazing. Unfortunately due to the current circumstances some of the events that were being organised had to be cancelled but there were some really interesting ones. I also want to mention Europe on Track, that managed to continue with their project even if it was online and they delivered some amazing workshops that reached a lot of people (lockdown period may have helped with that… Hahaha).
You have mentioned the negative impact that COVID-19 has had on several collectives based on their gender, sexual orientation or nationality. Can you explain some of the consequences of this discrimination? How could AEGEE fight against these issues?
Well, these types of discrimination are not something new that have appeared with the current pandemic situation. But it’s true that this pandemic has affected some people more than others. We recently organised a panel debate on domestic violence in times of CoVid-19 to talk about the situation of women that are being forced to live with their aggressor during the lockdown period. It is still available to watch it on the ERWG page if anyone is interested. You can also read the amazing statement from AEGEE-Europe regarding the international day against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia that is celebrated on the 17th of May to learn more about the issues that the LGBTIQ+ community is facing right now. We are organising a Pride week too, to gather together and celebrate and claim our rights at least online, since this year pride celebrations have been cancelled all around the globe. These are some examples of things that are being done in AEGEE to try to fight these issues. They may not seem a lot, but they help to create awareness on these topics, which is so important.