Next to two candidates who already have some experience as Juridical Commissioner, Salvatore Maraventano, President of AEGEE-Palermo, decided to run for Juridical Commission too. Although he hasn’t been Commissioner yet, he was SubCom already in the past year. We spoke to him to find out more about his motivation, experience and plans. 

The AEGEEan: First of all, can you tell us a bit more about yourself?
Salvatore: Sure! I know it may sound too ordinary speaking to an AEGEE audience, but I love to travel. I love to discover things that I don’t know, and I love to work to make things better. I joined law school because I’ve been addicted to the idea of justice since I was a little. My dream, when I was a child, was to bring justice all over the world (probably Marvel superheroes had a big contribution to this dream). As I grew up, I discovered that things are a bit more complicated, but I’ve never really forgotten that childish idea. So now I’m about to graduate and I’m eager to use my knowledge for something real. This is why I’m dedicating my last academic efforts in the Human Rights field. I think that the priority of this big globalised world should be to guarantee a minimum standard of life for every single inhabitant of the planet earth. And If I will be good enough, I will dedicate my life to this cause.

How did you join AEGEE?
I still remember perfectly how I joined AEGEE. It was October 2011. That summer I had been in the USA, having my perfect long trip from the west coast to the east cost through the legendary Route 66 with my mates. It was a very long and epic journey. When I came back home, I was sort of depressed. In that dark period I randomly met an old friend, Danilo Monte, still a member of AEGEE-Palermo, who told me about his summer experience. It was a Summer University and it sounded amazing. So I went to some meeting of AEGEE-Palermo and I immediately joined, because it looked like it was exactly what I was looking for.

What is your experience within AEGEE?
When I joined AEGEE-Palermo I became active very soon. I went to my first event in Ljubljana (Winter University). After that event, things got serious. I was elected as Treasurer and I started to attend Agoras (Enschede, Budapest, Zaragoza, Cagliari), European Board Meetings (Malta) and Network Meetings (Salerno). I’ve been elected President for my second term (and, actually, I’m still the President of AEGEE-Palermo. But If I will be elected I will probably step down). I’ve organised two Summer Universities and one Summer Event (two of them as Main Organiser) and some conferences on the theme of “Mafia” (which is pretty hot here in Sicily) with local institutions and other associations.

What do you do in your life outside of AEGEE (if any)?
This is totally the question I prefer (just because I don’t feel the pressure of the judgment of course). I do a lot of things. Too much, actually. People usually do not understand how I can handle all of them. My biggest passions is surfing and I’m completely connected with the sea. It relaxes me. It makes me feel I’m free. It’s hard to explain. It’s simply that when I’m in the water, even if it’s cold, I feel good. Very good. I go skateboarding when I need action but there are no waves. When I need no action and I don’t want to go out I play online videogames (MMO). Moreover, I love literature. I read every day. Mostly science fiction and postapocalyptic literature. Sometimes I also write something for my own pleasure.

What made you decide to candidate for the Juridical Commission?
In this year AEGEE gave me a lot. I think it’s time to give back something to help maintain the network as good as it is or even better (at least from a juridical point of view)

You were already involved as a Sub-Commissioner. What has been your favorite part about the work in the Juridical Commission?
Without any doubt, my favorite part was to work as SubCom of the JC during Agora Cagliari together with the Juridical Commission (Claudio, Gloria and Joris). Yes, it’s nice to work through e-mails and Skype, but the pleasure of working face to face can’t be replaced.

What skills you have acquired would make you the perfect Commissioner?
I’m not sure it would make me the perfect Commissioner, but there is something I learnt during my mandates as President of AEGEE-Palermo that would be really useful a Commissioner. During the first mandate as President, AEGEE-Palermo went through a really hard time. Few people, not enough experience in the board (including me, not enough experience to be president, probably) and, most of all, very bad internal conflicts. But I had to face it somehow. It was stressing and it cost me a lot, but I learnt how to be neutral between parts, respect everybody and how to be patient and wait for the changes to come naturally.

How will you ensure a strong cooperation with the rest of the Network?
To ensure the cooperation with the Network what I think is really important is to always be present and quick and ready to solve all the problems the Network present to you. So, I think the best way to ensure the cooperation with the network is to offer a steady work.

What would you like to improve about the CIA?
Honestly, I don’t think I’ve been SubCom for enough time to point out precisely what part of the CIA should be changed or improved. There are a lot of rules inside the CIA that need to be rationalised to be more efficient and more precise. But I would like to test them as a real Juridical Commissioner before advancing a proposal.

Is there something you would like to do differently than the current Juridical Commission has done so far?
It may sounds laconic, but no. Maybe, if I will get elected, I will do something different. But only the story will tell.

One of our readers asked: May you, please, point out the most relevant aspects of your candidature?
One of your readers has a hard question! Joking aside, the Network needs a strong, neutral and efficient Juridical Commission. The interpretation of the CIA needs to be one, legal certainty is a value we need to preserve. It’s important to have a uniform application of the rules of the CIA inside the whole network. Considering that, as SubCom, I’ve already worked with the other candidates I can say I’m the right person to be part of that team.

Written by Svenja van der Tol, AEGEE-Nijmegen

After having been Sub-commissioner (SubCom) and Commissioner of the Juridical Commission for one year, Glòria (AEGEE-Heidelberg) wasn’t finished yet and decided to run for another year as Commissioner. We spoke to her to find more about herself, her plans and motivation! 

First of all, can you tell us a bit more about yourself?

Glòria: I come from my beloved Barcelona, I studied law in Madrid and Heidelberg and I did a Master of Laws in Frankfurt am Main. I am currently living in Heidelberg, where I work in the contract management of the purchase department of a multinational corporation. It has been almost four years since I moved to Germany, but I still have the same emotion and encouragement like the first day. I have learnt a lot there and I wouldn’t change these years for anything. I really think it’s important to spend some time abroad because it helps you to see everything from a more objective perspective.

What is something AEGEEans wouldn’t expect of you?

For sure they expect neither irresponsibility nor lack of professionalism nor loss of motivation. All that would lead to a disregard of the functions assumed, which in its turn would bring instability to the Juridical Commission. AEGEEans are right by not expecting all that of me, because if I’m re-elected I’ll keep on doing my best!

How did you join AEGEE?  

Well, I must admit I’ve never heard about AEGEE in Spain. However, when I was on my Erasmus year in Germany I joined some activities AEGEE-Heidelberg organised, like bike and city tours, switching tables (international dinners), Language Café, brunch, “Fackelwanderung” (a hike with torches), etc. When my Erasmus year ended, I thought it would be a great idea to keep on participating in these activities, but this time from the side of the organisers. So, in September 2012 I joined AEGEE-Heidelberg and I can affirm it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever taken in my life (she smiles). 

What is your experience within AEGEE?

At the local level I started in the Erasmus group being responsible for the Language Café (Sprachcafé) for a year. At the same time I organised a lot of events for Erasmus students (like the ones I participated in when I was an Erasmus student). Heidelberg is a student city, so our local is more oriented to local activities rather than European events. However, I am in the  Europe group since last year and we tried to really bring the energy and motivation to be more active at the European level. I did the compulsory sessions for the SU, I organised a workshop for the members of the local called “AEGEE, the basic knowledge” and I arranged a weekend with my local in Brussels to visit the Comité Directeur.

I organised a meeting with the delegates and visitors that were going to Autumn Agora Cagliari, so we discussed about the proposals, position papers and some other topics. For Spring AgorAsturias I prepared a simulation of a Prytanium for all members, so new members can already have an idea of what an Agora is. I am currently working on a new project: the Gala Ball in the castle of Heidelberg next winter!

At a regional level I attended the meeting of the Rhein-Neckar-Region in Kaiserslautern in November and I prepared the meeting in February because it took place in Heidelberg. I have just participated in the RTC in Mannheim and in April I am going to Aachen to celebrate the Night of the Seven Antennae! At the European level I was an observer in Bosnia and Herzegovina in November 2014 within the project Election Observation Mission. It was a great experience that I really recommend to everybody! Moreover, I have been Sub-commissioner of the Juridical Commission from June 2013 until July 2014 and, as you all know, I am currently Commissioner since last August.

What do you do in your life outside of AEGEE (if any)?

If any?! Everybody should have a life outside AEGEE. That’s the great thing about our association: you really realize you love being in AEGEE when you’re waiting for an event, a meeting or an activity to take place. So when you’re “out” for some days or weeks, you miss the excitement of AEGEE. So when I’m not with my local, in any European event or working as a Commissioner of the JC, I’m mostly at work. I always go for a walk in Heidelberg to see the beautiful river, castle and buildings that there are. I also read, swim and love to buy and cook Spanish food. Travelling is another passion, so when I can I always visit cities and small villages in Germany. When I’m at home, in Barcelona, I spend most of the time with my family, my friends and of course with my dogs: Elvis, a Labrador, and Lola, a Maltese.

You were already in the Juridical Commission for one year. What made you decide to run for another year?

I decided to run for another year because I really enjoy being in the Juridical Commission. I will explain to you my reasons thoroughly. Firstly, I like the tasks that have to be carried out because of their variety. At first sight one may think we always perform the same tasks, but that’s not true at all. The fact that we have defined tasks doesn’t mean everything is the same. Each question we receive from all of you is different from the last ones. Even if two questions seem similar, there will be for sure differences that change your argumentation or your way to proceed. All the gained experience helps us enormously with the future questions we receive.

That’s why I strongly believe that the more you work within the Juridical Commission, the better you know how to improve your job. In contrast with the other bodies of AEGEE, the commissioners of the Juridical Commission can still contribute a lot, not despite the fact that they have already worked there, but BECAUSE they have worked there.

Secondly, there are some changes I’d like to implement and things I’d improve, and that will only be possible if I’m Commissioner. Last but not least, I’m having a great time with the team I’m part of. Working with them has been always easy because we understand each other very well. To me the tasks are as important as the team you’re in, and my two colleagues have made the work more comfortable and amusing.

What has been your favorite part about the work for the Juridical Commission?

That’s an interesting question! I must admit I like everything I do, but there are two tasks I especially enjoy. First, receiving complicated questions or questions that can’t be answered with the CIA, like problems with the associations (the locals), so you have to search other sources or just apply common sense. It’s really interesting to both develop your own argument and read the opinion your colleagues express. I definitely have more fun when I have to deal with complicated questions. Secondly, assisting the Agora. It’s the most interesting and challenging event AEGEE has, and having the pleasure to be there as a commissioner of the JC makes it more exciting.

You wrote in your application that you are not afraid your second year will mean you get stuck in a routine. Do you already have some ideas about things you would change?

You should always try not to get stuck in a routine, whatever job you’re doing. Therefore you should think about how you could perform your tasks better and what changes you could successfully implement. There are three main reforms I’d like to do: develop a new strategy for SubComs, improve the twin antennae contract and, of course, keep on fixing mistakes in the CIA. We have organised a progress meeting for the upcoming Agora, where we want to show how we have standardised some points of the Working Formats of the Committees. If this change is accepted by the Committees, I’d like to keep on modifying the Working Formats, so we have more common rules for all Committees.

How can you ensure that you will be neutral?

I can only show that I’m neutral when I’m working, so my neutrality can only be ensured after having done my work without having preferences for anything or anybody. I firmly believe that in my first term I haven’t had any predilection, I did what I really thought was the right or the best solution. Sometimes it’s not easy to be neutral, above all when you have to resolve issues that come from the Comité Directeur. But as a commissioner of the JC you can’t allow yourself to be weak and choose the easiest way: you have to decide what your knowledge tells you to be the right solution, without taking into account friendship or position. That’s what people expect from you and you shouldn’t disappoint them.

What would the new strategy you want to develop for SubComs look like?

It’s difficult that three commissioners care about three or four SubCom at the same time. That’s why I’d like that each commissioner is responsible for one Sub-commissioner, so it’s easier to follow his/her work and answer his/her questions.  First of all, the commissioners should make a list of the tasks the SubComs should do in the next period. Then, one SubCom should be assigned to each Commissioner, so that we have no more than three SubCom. Only in that way the Commissioner can really help him/her and have an overview of their development. The SubCom can get the main idea of our work and continuity in the Juridical Commission can be easily ensured. It’s very important to have a good strategy for the SubComs because it’s really difficult to start being a commissioner without having acquired the main competences and internalized a general idea of the work.

One of our readers asked: May you, please, point out the most relevant aspects of your candidature?

Well, after this interview you can have a really good overview of my candidature. But to sum up I’d say that my experience as a Commissioner allows me to run with full awareness. So I know what I must do, what I must correct from the past and what is expected from me. I am very motivated and I really have interest to continue for the next term.

Written by Svenja van der Tol, AEGEE-Nijmegen

After having been in the Juridical Commission (JC) for one year already as Commissioner and before that another year as Sub-commissioner, Claudio Gennaro (AEGEE-Cagliari) was not ready to leave and decided to run for another term. We spoke to him to find out more about himself, his motivation and plans!

The AEGEEan: First of all, can you tell us a bit more about yourself?

Claudio: This question always makes me think more rather than the others before writing something. I’m 22, a highly motivated AEGEEan since November 2011, law student, teamwork enthusiast and member of AEGEE-Cagliari with a never-ending post Erasmus syndrome.

What is something AEGEEans would not expect of you?

I’m a fan of the best band of our time: the Oasis.

How did you join AEGEE?

I was interested in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in my area and one day at the university I saw a flyer of an aperitivo [Italian for happy hour, ed.] organised by AEGEE. The same night I joined my first local, which was AEGEE-Agrigento, and applied for my first event, a New Year’s Event in Valletta. From that moment, nothing would have been the same anymore.

What is your experience within AEGEE?

I’ve been a board member of AEGEE-Agrigento for two years, as Public Relations (PR) Responsible and Secretary. I’ve also been main organiser of three Summer Universities and several exchanges and conferences. I’ve been speaker of the Human Ressources Committee (HRC), sub-commissioner of the Juridical Commission for one year and Commissioner since Spring Agora Patra.

What do you do in your life outside of AEGEE (if any)?

Apart from my student career, I’m interested in the world of the startup companies, I play the guitar and try to convince all my friends to join AEGEE.

You were already in the Juridical Commission for one year as Commissioner and another year as Sub-commissioner. What made you decide to run for another year?

If I have to choose only one thing, for sure it would be my awesome colleagues and all the people with whom I worked during this period of time. I really enjoyed every single day and aspect of our job and I’m looking forward to start another term with even more motivation and enthusiasm.

What has been your favourite part about the work for the Juridical Commission?

Being able to help people clarify their doubts and questions. I always tried to be as available and kind as possible with everybody who ever contacted the Juridical Commission for any issue. Human relations must always stand upon bureaucracy.

If you get re-elected, what is something you would do differently than you did the past year?

There isn’t only one aspect I would like to improve. With one year of experience on my back, I would work to develop the overall efficiency of the commission, its internal organisation and external influence.

How do you plan to maintain the independence of the Juridical Commission?

First, protecting the real will of those who contributed to write our Corpus Iuridicum Aegeense (CIA) from those who try to manipulate its meaning to achieve benefits from it. Second, not being influenced by anybody of our network while taking decisions or giving interpretations. That’s the mission of every jurist.

Do you have any plans regarding the CIA when you are re-elected?

If elected, I will continue working on the path of simplification and coherency we already started. Our CIA is already a good juridical text, but has wide margins of improvement.

One of our readers asked: May you, please, point out the most relevant aspects of your candidature?

Sure. An aspect that I believe to be crucial is developing a task that we already do on daily basis, which is assisting our members in the drawn of legal texts. This is something I really care about since it can be incredibly helpful for many people on both the local and European level. I would like to create a template for contracts and documents, as well as being available for calls and chat with whoever would be in need of legal assistance, as I already did regularly during my term.

Written by Svenja van der Tol, AEGEE-Nijmegen