Introducing the host of the European School of Entrepreneurship 2012: AEGEE-Santander

The economy is not exactly good-looking in Spain these days, but no matter this fact it was chosen last week that AEGEE-Santander will be the host of the upcoming European School of Entrepreneurship this autumn. The AEGEEan had a talk with the President of AEGEE-Santander Fernando Campo about preparations to the event. 

So what is the theme? The answer to that would be “Sustainable employment.” When can you attend it? The answer to that would be around end of September, start of October but keep in mind that nothing is sure about the date, yet! However it does seem that this autumn will create the setting for an event in which the participants will learn how to create and run their respective firm while taking care of the nature.

Heading to the North of Spain

Santander is a small city with 200.000 habitants in the north of Spain between Gijón and Bilbao. It is a beautiful coastal city with calm and friendly people who, obviously, also enjoy creating life in the street. The region is famous for their gastronomy and the precious views one can enjoy of the sea and mountains that they have, and then “Bank of Santander” (Banco Santander). The third greatest bank in the world was born in this little city and it is one of the examples to set for the young Europeans, proving that if you want to do something big – you can!

Red numbers, red alert?

The economic crisis has obviously affected the decision that made AEGEE-Santander to apply to become host of this event. Actually, they did have many doubts about how to keep the numbers in green for the event since it is a small antenna without loads of money in the bank. However, motivated AEGEEans and an eager to turn Europe upside down and organise a European event (that was not a Summer University) drew AEGEE-Santander closer to pressing “send the application” to the Youth UnEmployment Projet. In the end, AEGEE-Santander discussed this issue with friends in the Network Commission with Youth In Action experience, they talked with the principal of the university and the local government of Santander and chose in the end to dedicate their effort to this project because of the interest shown by all parties.

The idea is to ask for Youth In Action for financing but they also search for opportunities how to do fundraising. AEGEE-Santander has experience in this field through organisation of previous Summer Universities and the President Fernando Campo was a member of the fundraising team and organiser of last year’s “yellow spirit” Agora in Alicante.

Right now AEGEE-Santander is searching for a way to finance it. “We have more or less planned where to do each and every thing and we do have a plan B if we do not receive the Youth In Action grant,” President Fernando Campo responds to the question regarding how far in the process AEGEE-Santander is. The university of Cantabria is providing facilities for the workshops, the local government is helping with transportation and the “social program”, so AEGEE-Santander is already well on the way to organise a memorable event. However it is not only AEGEE-Santander who is working on the event, they are also in contact with Turgut Tosun, European School of Entrepreneurship Manager in order to make everything go down perfectly. If possible AEGEE-Santander also expects to surprise the Agora participants with a promo video.

How to set an example

“People in my antenna are very motivated about this event. We are few active members, but when a small team works well this does not matter much. They are giving their all to the project since the beginning, demonstrating a tremendous initiative. I am thrilled! Because of this, because of them, we are going to organise an event that will surprise many people, proving that a small antenna that is developing step by step is able to do something big.”

Due to the world economic situation this event could not be more interesting! In Spain the situation is more unpleasant than in the rest of Europe and an event with these characteristics can be encouraging for many and it can be an important key for courage. These are not times for tears but rather time to tough it out and find the way towards a brighter future. “Life is for survivors and maybe it is the task of AEGEE to say this loud and clear and be the ones that lead the social pack,” Fernando ends the interview.

Written by Patricia Anthony, AEGEE-København