I never thought I would just sit on my computer and start writing about an AEGEE event, but here I am. Having one of the best events of my AEGEE life, I felt that I need to share my thoughts and feelings about this event to appreciate both organisers and trainers’ efforts with the whole network.

Before the event, organisers did their best and found a place –a place with real beds– to accommodate for more than 60 people, which seems almost impossible considering the city’s population and size. The event was located in Berriz, a small town near Bilbao, in a ‘plaza’ where we could sleep, eat, have workshops and party at the same time! I can say that it was really efficient because we did not have to move anywhere but downstairs.

During the event, it was hard to see the organisers except for coffee breaks, as all of them were working like bees! A group of organisers were preparing the food for us, while the others were getting prepared for the coffee breaks and god knows what else. During meals, we were eating the food that was prepared by local organisers and everything was delicious. Starting with the salad, we had a meal for both meat-eaters and vegetarians, followed by dessert and fruit! I could see that the organisers had a really good fundraising strategy, as they served a lot of things such as cold drinks (coke, Redbull, etc..) for free.

Most importantly, AEGEE-Bilbao managed to integrate the new members with the other members, motivating them to get to know AEGEE and its ‘charms’. All of the new members were totally motivated as both organisers and participants, and I can assure that they will become beloved AEGEEans for the next years.
When it comes to praising trainers, I can easily say they did a great job! As I have mentioned during the evolutions, I was not expecting workshops to be so comprehensive and instructive, as most of the times I was faced with weakly-constructed workshops in AEGEE. However, this event changed my views for good. The trainers encouraged people to join European bodies, analysing our skills and experiences, filling our gaps about AEGEE-Europe and its bodies.

We had a great insight of Civic Education, Conflict Management(#DramaManagement), Role of Netcom, Future of AEGEE, Equal Rights, Migration IG, Youth Mobility WG and other things I cannot recall at the moment. The sessions were really informative for both new and old members. As we worked on proposals, we had many discussions on different topics which we kept discussing in the following days -even though the event was over-, and we actually learnt something to put in practice!

I am writing this article as special thanks to all organisers and trainers, wishing them much more AEGEEan years with a lot of change.

Oh, and one more thing: TİPİ TAPA TİPİ TAPA KOR Rİ KA!

Written by İlknur Demir, AEGEE-Ankara

Spring is right in front of us, and Spring Network Meetings follow closely. The Network is once again presented with ten amazing opportunities to grow stronger together, create fruitful alliances and share best practices. Here you can find the first five: AEGEE-Debrecen, AEGEE-Thessaloniki, AEGEE-Bilbao, AEGEE-Heidelberg and AEGEE-Nijmegen. For the following five, click here.

NWM Debrecen: The phoenix rises again

When it comes to AEGEE, sometimes it is like a double-edged sword. You have the benefit of experiencing and getting into the democratic process, assume responsibilities and make yourself heard at the European level. At the same time, there is a threat of people coming and going all the time, AEGEE represents just a few years of their lives for most of the members. This pilgrimage can sometimes affect the balance of an antenna or even the whole Network; some other times it could also create better leaders and the feeling of being part of this legacy could motivate people even more. AEGEE-Debrecen is no less than this, a few motivated members that will “rise again” and make their voices heard. We will tackle together all these issues and find real solutions for our locals and the Network. How can you get more inspired, if not in a place where inspired people are working and living? Come to discover the capital and the second biggest city in Hungary, its cuisine and its biggest treasure: the great AEGEEans living there!

Facebook event here.

NWM Thessaloniki: Find your thess-aurus
Are you an AEGEEan and you would like to know more about our organisation? Do you wish to gain knowledge and develop your skills in combination with meeting with more than 30 people from all over Europe? Do you want to join a journey to explore AEGEE and yourself? Then the NWM Thessaloniki: Find your thess-aurus is the right event for you! Join us in the beautiful Greek city of Thessaloniki and explore your potential and the AEGEE spirit (except the mattresses and the sleeping bags, we will have real beds!). A team of trainers will help you find your thess-aurus, so do not wait anymore! See you in Thessaloniki!

Facebook event here.

NWM Bilbao: The North is Worth a Meeting

For the second time in six years, AEGEE-Bilbao is proud to invite you all to the NWM: The North is Worth a Meeting. On the second weekend of April, 52 young AEGEEans will gather in Berriz for one of the greatest AEGEE events: a Network Meeting! During three days, invaded by the AEGEE spirit, all the beloved participants will have a great time in a traditional cosy village, being surrounded by lovely nature and learning about the Basque language and the culture. We are going to focus on the needs of the locals: what they want to learn and improve, what they want to share. Also, we can count on some special help to make the wishes of our participants come true.
If you want to discover what is going on in Bilbao, do not miss this opportunity!

Facebook event here.

NWM Heidelberg: Breaking the ice with Friedrich

Breaking the ice with Friedrich is your best opportunity to discover the most romantic city in Germany. Spend the whole weekend with 50 other AEGEEans sharing ideas and opinions and enjoying the best AEGEEan atmosphere. We even have a whole afternoon full of games and opportunities to discover the area! We are not saying that it will be the best NWM of the season but…. well, yes, we can say that! You will not regret joining us! A really participative NWM where you can have a say about the sessions beforehand! Do not let the others tell you about it, be part of NWM Heidelberg!

Facebook event here.

NWM Nijmegen: Bridges across Europe

Nijmegen is the oldest city in the Netherlands, yet it is full of young people, including many AEGEEans. The best part of this Network Meeting will be the variation. The programme contains thematic sessions including a conference about equal rights, as well as organisational sessions provided by at least five different people. You will receive a bike for the whole duration of the event, allowing you to get plenty of fresh air during the day, while you crawl from pub to pub in the night!

Facebook event here.

This is part one of a two-parts article. More NWMs are coming soon.

Written by the Network Commission of AEGEE-Europe

Five years ago, four brave guys from Bilbao, namely Guillermo García, Txaber Tavera, Sara Ortega and Zulema Rebollo formed a team and all together took a step forward by creating AEGEE-Bilbao, in March 2009. It wasn’t easy, and doubts and difficulties were appearing all along the way, but thanks to the enthusiasm of so many people in the past five years they have been able to achieve what AEGEE-Bilbao is now.

Txaber Tavera, one of the founders of the antenna, former Vice-President and Secretary, is proud to see how the antenna has grown in the past years: “It’s good news that AEGEE-Bilbao is a reality five years later, thanks to the time and enthusiasm dedicated to the project. The key, and also the luck, has been to boards continuity between boards and between people who decided it’s time to give new members the chance to replace them. And that’s not easy. Now, I can see there’s a group of people who enjoy, get excited and live new experiences around AEGEE. That’s the most important thing! But I also have to say that there’s a long way to ride yet: AEGEE-Bilbao is not perfect, and it has to get better step by step. It’s true that we can improve, but we will never try to be perfect in any aspect; the important thing is that we can keep AEGEE principles. There will be strong boards and weak ones, less active moments and great projects to come… But the point is to always try to keep the wick on.”

The small antenna currently has 60 members, with 15 of them being active. In the past two years they managed to achieve several goals, like a Travel Summer University (together with AEGEE-Santander and AEGEE-Oviedo) and a RTC. The last event was the celebration of the locals 5th anniversary, which took place in april and was open to all AEGEEans. More than 50 participants from Spain and Europe came to Bilbao to give the local their best wishes.

Amaya de Arcos, currently president of AEGEE-Bilbao is very happy and satisfied with the event: “The fifth anniversary of AEGEE-Bilbao was a really important event for the antenna and also for me personally. Watching so many members working together to make the best event we could made me feel really proud of my antenna and I think that we will be able to do bigger things in the future. I would like to thank all the people involved in the anniversary – participants, helpers, and organizers – as they were all essential for making this event unforgettable. I hope everybody had as much fun as I did”.

The event consisted of a weekend full of culture, activities and parties to celebrate the first five years of the local, while – of course – hoping for at least another five years to come. All the members of the antenna agreed that when things are done by an enthusiastic team they are much easier.

After the celebration, it is time to continue working hard, while trying to reach more goals in AEGEE. For that, AEGEE-Bilbao is lucky to have “La Nave” (the name for the Spanish-, French- and Portuguese-speaking locals ed.) in the region as an example of unity, dedication, motivation and good work, with so many incredibly active antennae: Burgos, which is organizing dozens of events with only five years of experience (like AEGEE-Bilbao), Oviedo, Zaragoza, Alicante… and a long etcetera that gives us some models to learn from.

Written by Nerea Gutiérrez, AEGEE-Bilbao