As we speak, another NWM has just rounded up in Catalunya (Catalonia), from the 10th until the 13th of November. To be more precise, it happened near Barcelona. The local is 30 years old and it has hosted several events, such as NWMs and even an Agora. We asked some questions to Katy Sánchez, PR and Vicepresident of AEGEE-Barcelona, and to Melissa Carreres Candela, the soon-to-be former Network commissioner of the area, informally known as, ‘La Nave’.  

NWM Barcelona cover pic

The AEGEEan: Why did you decide to apply for hosting the NWM?

Katy: We were thinking about applying to host the NWM when the Spring NWM application was launched. However, we had other plans in mind for those months and we decided to apply for hosting the Autumn NWM instead. All the locals from our area distribution (La Nave) supported us and that was a big motivation to finally apply for it [she smiles].

Board of AEGEE-Barcelona 2015/2016

Who is in the core team?

There are fifteen organisers. Néstor Saura is the main organiser of the NWM; among the team, you can find the current board of AEGEE-Barcelona, some members of the future one (we had elections on Saturday, 4th November) and a new generation of motivated members that were involved in the organisation from the very first moment.

Did you apply for any funds or did you get any help from the University?

Yes, we applied for a grant offered by the university and for another one offered by the local government. Recently, we have got super good news that we received the money! Also, we are working hard on fundraising.

Members of AEGEE-Barcelona from all generations on our 30th Anniversary

What is special about AEGEE-Barcelona and the city of Barcelona?

I think that what makes AEGEE-Barcelona great is that we are a group of friends. This group of friends is slowly growing, turning us into a big family of motivated members who want to achieve great things, and the NWM is the first step to it [she smiles].

What could we say about Barcelona? It is a big cosmopolitan city that has a lot to offer: mountains, sea, culture, art or gastronomy. Anyway, we have to mention that the NWM does not take place in Barcelona itself, but in a nearby city (Vilanova i la Geltrú) where we have booked a countryside house for the 90 people that are attending the NWM (including participants, organisers and the content team).

AEGEE-Barcelona & AEGEE-Thessaloniki (our Twin Antenna) wearing our T-Shirts

What is in store for the participants (facilities, meals, social programme)?

As I have mentioned above, the NWM is taking place in a countryside house where all of us are together. In this video you can see how it looks! For the social programme, we have prepared three thematic parties: an Animal Party, an American College Party (beer pong competition included) and a European Night on the last night.

How many participants are you hosting?

Melissa: We offered 60 vacancies for the participants, but because we had too many applications (more than 150), and due to the fact that the accommodation is big enough, we decided to increase the maximum amount of participants a little bit. So, finally, 90 AEGEEans are taking part in the event: 73 participants, 14 organisers, one member of the CD, two subcommies and I.

Members of AEGEE-Barcelona celebrating the #AEGEEDay.

What will be presented during the sessions?

We have a very diverse programme, several participants who are involved at a European level, and of course we are going to “use them” properly! There will be the compulsory NWM sessions: State of the Network, SWOT analysis, Sharing best practices, also others such as the Civic Education and Youth Mobility sessions, and last but not least, a session delivered by the ACTies.

Furthermore, to increase the quality of the event, we are having three training sessions: HR, KT and how to do a presentation. Therefore, I think we will learn a lot.

Local Organisers

Who will be providing the trainings?

We have a lot of content facilitators. Apart from Tekla Hajdu from Comité Directeur and my subcom team, Laura Pérez and Julian Ródenas there are:

• Ioanna Gympaki (AEGEE-Athina): She will talk about Your Vision For Europe.
•  Kristina Reshetova (AEGEE-Moskva): She is the current NetCom and she will contribute by explaining the different NetCom projects. Moreover, as a member of Youth Mobility, she will talk about mobility as well.
• Alejandra Piot Pérez-Abadín (AEGEE-A Coruña): Former President of her antennna and newly elected NetCom, she will deliver a Human Resourses WS and contribute to Sharing best practices session.
• Pablo Hernández Rodríguez (AEGEE-Alicante): AEGEE member since 2010. His experience includes management of European and local projects and coordination of policy and advocacy actions. He will facilitate MY-WAY’s session by giving an insight on how to use an entrepreneurial mindset to carry out your dreamt projects.
  

  Netcom and Subcom Team, la Tripulacion 8.1

• Juragis Garcia Perez (AEGEE-Tenerife): Board member of his antenna and also member of ACT. He and Borja will try to motivate us to be more ACTive in AEGEE and contribute to the Strategic plan.
• Asier Rodríguez (AEGEE-Bilbao): Former Treasurer and current HR responsible of his antenna. As a member of Youth Mobility, Asier together with Kristina will talk about mobility.
• Borja Torres Fuentes (AEGEE-Bilbao): President of his antenna and member of ACT. He will deliver an ACT session in collaboration with Juragis.
• María Ballesteros Melero (AEGEE-Madrid):  She will deliver the Civic Education + Gender Equality session and the European Citizens’ Initiative session together with Tekla.

Netcom, Subcommies and organisers

Why did you choose Barcelona as hosting local?

Well, actually, I had no applications from other locals to host a NWM during the autumn period, but knowing that Barcelona was planning to apply, made me really happy. I was sure that their project would be very good, and actually it was!

AEGEE-Barcelona is a great antenna that is growing a lot and takes part in a lot of activities. It is also known as the “unstoppable” antenna. They have just turned 30 and they have great plans in mind for the upcoming year. I have to keep it a secret, but stay tuned, because they will surprise us for sure!

Written by Erika Bettin, AEGEE-Verona

Up in the north-western part of Europe, there is AEGEE-Manchester, one of the few locals in the UK and one of the youngest in the network. From the 4th to the 7th of November, the English local will host the Autumn Network Meeting (NWM) called “Reconnecting Europe”. We asked the Network Commissioner, Pablo Palazón, and the Main Organiser, Bryn French, some questions to find our more about this meeting. 

 

Pablo Palazón

Who will be the trainers?

Andrea Adamović, the Secretary of AEGEE-Beograd and Main Organiser of the Network Meeting (NWM) in the same local, can count on the contribution of an amazing Board. As far as can be told, it seems that they will be hosting a successful NWM, the fifth NWMs this autumn. Isidora Braljinac, President of AEGEE-Beograd, and Aleksandra Mojsova, their Network Commissioner, told us more about the NWM in Beograd.

The AEGEEan: How did you choose the name “keep it bright in the white city” for your NWM?

Isidora: The name is a result of our and NetCom’s ideas. “Keep it bright” stands for always staying optimistic just like AEGEEans always do, this time in the “White City” which is a literal translation of Beograd, but we will paint it red together during NWM!

Can you tell us something more about the program of the NWM and about the sessions?

Aleksandra: Our NWM is constructed according to the needs of our locals, therefore is a rich on topics, yet coherent when speaking of content. Our NetCom and we, have decided to include our members opinion in the development of the content, so all you will see there is according to their requirements. Naturally, we couldn’t include all what we were asked for, but we will make sure to at least discuss it in the Open Space hours, or to have it in mind for next events or the next NWM. The sessions will be informational, but of course will touch on social inclusion, self and social development and problem-solving strategy, as well as include role-playing as a proven methodology of skills acquisition.

Who will be the organisers, and how did you assign tasks to each of them?

Isidora: The organisers will be the girls from the Board, our active female members, and some of our male members. We care about gender equality, and it would be very unusual that we might need a gender equality recruitment strategy.We made sure to put it in our SWOT analysis to bring it up for discussion at the NWM and possibly, come out with a twinning antennae output.  In addition to this team, we will, of course, also receive support from our NetCommie, Aleksandra Mojsova, who is here to assist us with the technical issues.

How are you showing “Envisioning Europe-Brexit Impact on Europe; Mediation Skills on Conflict Resolution”? Who will be the speaker or the trainer?

Isidora: The workshop session about envisioning Europe and the Brexit impact on a hopeful Europe was asked from locals as they had their chance to give their input for the content of the NWM. Since it was asked for in terms of exploration on how would Brexit also influence the non-EU countries, in particular those who are yet to become, we will have a representative from the Your Vision for EUrope Project together with our NetCommie to deliver it.

About mediation skills on conflict resolution, this is something that is very often needed, not only in local’s lives, on their path to achieving things, but also in the private lives of young people. Initially, we imagined that the MedCom would be willing to deliver it, but because they may not be able to come, we will make sure to arrange someone from the Academy or a respective trainer that would deliver a similar session with skills acquisition in this sense.

Will there be any social programme, and can you tell us something in advance about that?

Isidora: Belgrade’s night life is very well known for parties you would never forget… or remember, depending on the night out. We will also celebrate our antenna’s birthday and many more birthdays. Therefore, prepare yourself for a lot of information and even a bigger celebration!

Will your antenna present the candidature for the next Autumn Agora 2017?

No, not this time. We aim to focus on our local’s development first for the next period of time, in order to become as strong as we were once. But, what we can assure you of, is that it is on the agenda for the next generations of Boards to come. And we will be there to support them in the process!

You can find more information about this event on Facebook.

Written by Matteo Lai, AEGEE-Cagliari.

Summer has been over for a while now, but AEGEE Valencia keeps offering the opportunity to create unforgettable memories. From the 13th until the 15th of November, Network Meeting Valencia will be hosted in Corbera, a small town located 40km from the region’s capital. Charming Corbera is well known for its monuments and its rich history.

Network Meetings are events where AEGEE members get together to share the problems their antennae are facing and work on finding a way to solve them. New members can greatly benefit from attending a Network Meeting, given that the basics of AEGEE, from its structure to the Strategic Plan, are usually covered. By taking part in NWM Valencia, participants will also expand their knowledge of AEGEE’s European bodies and how to cooperate with them.

AEGEE-Valencia has been looking forward to organising a Network Meeting (NWM) for over two years. According to its main organiser, Consuelo Ródenas “the reason for organising NWM Valencia, apart from our motivation, was that AEGEE-Valencia members need to meet more people, discover and learn more things about AEGEE and the best way was bringing the NWM to our city”. In her opinion, the NWM is a good way to help inactive AEGEE-Valencia members to become more participative: “we have a lot of new and motivated members that are helping with the NWM as organisers, but also many members who are attending the event as participants”.

Participants will be lodged in El Tossal hostel, which will provide them with everything they need to make the most of their stay in the town. Among its facilities, “El Tossal” includes two rooms where workshops, debates and sessions will take place, high-level multimedia equipment and fantastic outdoor areas, including football, basketball and volleyball pitches.  From its privileged location on top of a mountain, participants will enjoy an amazing view of the mountains surrounding Corbera and the Mediterranean Sea.

Those from outside Valencia will be able to explore this beautiful city  in a tour in which they will get to visit Valencia’s most touristic landmarks and uncover its most well hidden secrets.

NWM Valencia will focus on the exchange of best practices among different antennaes in the Mediterranean area. Locals are encouraged to send an analysis of their strengths and weaknesses that will be discussed during the weekend. The event will also include an Open Space Session where some selected topics chosen and proposed by participants will be tackled.

NWM Valencia will start with an Opening Ceremony in which Melissa Carreras, newly elected member of the Network Commission and her subcommissioners will be introduced to the audience. The event will also include a workshop called “Identity and Liberation”, which will be lead by academics Dr. James M. Skelly and Christian Eichenmüller.

NWMs are also a great chance to socialize and make new friends within AEGEE. AEGEE-Valencia is planning two thematic parties that will surely delight the NWM’s participants. The first one will be a Suit Up party which will take place right after the open ceremony. On the second night, there will be a “bad guy in the movie” party, in which participants will have the chance to show how bad they can be by dressing up as their favorite movie villains.

AEGEE-Valencia cannot wait for one of the best events of the year. “Here we are waiting for the event to start and to show the whole Network what we are ready for!” Consuelo exclaimed.

Written by Kimberly Townend, AEGEE-Valencia

From the 28th to the 30th of November, AEGEE-Skopje will organize their second Network Meeting (NWM). Five enthusiastic girls, namely Natasha, Hristina, Stefani, Jovanka and Marija with the support of the current board, are organizing the event. The AEGEEan asked Natasha Pehchevska some questions to discover something more about it.

The AEGEEan: What made you apply to host the Autumn Network Meeting in Skopje?

Natasha: Taking part in AEGEE events around Europe made us want to organize a big event like the NWM. Also because AEGEE-Skopje usually organizes events during warmer times, we thought that it is was a great idea to bring the AEGEE spirit to our amazing city in the winter. The board of AEGEE-Skopje supported us significantly by giving us logistical knowledge and through being here for everything we needed. In AEGEE-Skopje, we always work together, without excluding anyone. Who ever feels like helping is always welcome, so seeing the huge support we got from all the members, without giving it any more thoughts, we signed up for it.

What is special about your city?

Skopje is special in many ways; a mixture of different cultures and nationalities and different architecture from different historical periods. It also has a great night life and many places and bars you can visit. People are kind, welcoming and always ready to party hard. But the best thing about Skopje is the food and the fact that there are a lot of places open at 4 am, when you need food the most.

What are your plans for the NWM?

Besides training our participants on AEGEE topics, our plan as local organizers is to show them the beauties and special places of our capital. Basically, we want them to explore Skopje and to show to everyone that even though this is a small and not-so-known-city, it has many things to offer.

Who will be part of the organization team?

Five active and really motivated young girls, members of AEGEE-Skopje: Natasha, Hristina, Stefani, Jovanka and Marija- with the great support of the current board of AEGEE-Skopje. Andrea Ugrinoska, the president, is our subcommie at the same time, so she acts like a medium between us, the Local organizers, and Ana Potocnik (AEGEE-Ljubljana), our Network Comissioner (NetCom).

Do you have any local municipality or university support?

Yes, we have the full support of our university. We will be holding the sessions in the classrooms of the faculty of law Iustinianus Primus in the Sts. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje.

What kind of Fundraising strategy have you used, if any?

We are basically focused on finding as many sponsors as possible, because Skopje is a small city and everyone knows everyone. So far, we have quite a lot of sponsors, which will make the event go even smoother and sweeter since we are always looking for support in the form of goods, rather than in money.

What are your plans for the social program?

We want to show participants the mixture of the Traditional and the New- the city tour will include the old and new part of Skopje. We have planned a traditional Macedonian night out, followed by a party in the best clubs in Skopje. Besides that, we will visit some breath-taking canyons and focus on the strong “mountanish” part of Skopje.

The title of the NWM is “NWM SkopYeah! vol 2”, can you explain the reasons behind it?

Well, AEGEE-Skopje has already organized a NWM, which was called “NWM SkopYEAH!”, so we thought it would be a good idea for this event to be Vol. 2, referring to the last NWM here. Besides that, as hard as you may try, you could never beat the awesomeness of SkopYEAH! The name itself screams “Come and see me!”

What are the next plans of AEGEE-Skopje?

Andrea: AEGEE-Skopje is currently blooming. There is a Local Training Course(LTC) about cooking in cooperation with the “No Hate Speech” movement local campaign. There are also some ideas for a winter university (who knows?). We will apply for an Erasmus+ grant for the next round; for a training course in cooperation with Diplomacy in Practice and we already became partners with a lot of AEGEE-locals and some externals, too, so we are making a big list of sending people who will have the honor to enjoy amazing fully covered trainings. Currently, we have a lot of members that are very motivated for organizing things and it feels like nothing ever stopped around here. We are organizing all the time, one thing after another and once you think everything is finished, someone puts another “pie” in the oven. In January, we will have our Local Agora and Elections, so people are already preparing to take over. You can feel the excitement in the air. Stay tuned, people, for the next AEGEE-Skopje’s adventures!

Written by Erika Bettin, AEGEE-Venezia

One of the goals of the former board of AEGEE-Aachen was to have a Network Meeting taking place in their beautiful city. Their plans became more concrete during the Spring Agora in Patra, where they told the former NetCom Holger: “Yes, we will do it!”. Anna Isabel Ramones, board member of AEGEE-Aachen, was in the well-known Agora ‘I can do everything spirit!’, leading to her volunteering to be the main organiser. The AEGEEan spoke to her to find out more.

From the 9th till the 12th of October, before Autumn Agora Cagliari, AEGEE-Aachen will be looking for 50 motivated participants to join them in the German city of Aachen. “We are still working on the content”, says NetCom Julia Fuss. “But it will probably be focused on networking to share best practices, strengthen cooperation between antennae and individually reflect upon AEGEE’s impact on oneself, as well as become aware of one’s own impact in AEGEE. Additionally, we would like to continue the work on project ideas that were developed at NWM Bamberg, such as an idea to organize workshops on the life of refugees or if possible even go and visit an asylum ourselves. Of course this NWM will also offer a great opportunity to prepare delegates and discuss topics for Agora Cagliari as well as get to know European level bodies!”

Next to the workshops, the local is already planning a social program. “Of course there will be a city tour to get to know our beautiful and historically interesting city of Aachen. The boarder triangle (Netherlands, Belgium and Germany) is also close and definitely worth a visit. Next to that, the parties will of course be BEARtastic!”

The local already has a lot of experience in organizing events, like the Agora in 2008, an European School I in 2012, a Summer University every year and of course the Charlemagne Youth Prize Event. For the Charlemagne Youth Prize, eight young and enthusiastic writers, photographers and future journalists were invited to Aachen to cover the Youth Charlemagne Prize and Charlemagne Prize, spreading the news in their own language and countries. The event was requested by Aachen’s Major and AEGEE-Aachen’s Patron, Marcel Philipp, to give a more international stage to this prize for European Unity. “We are looking back at a very nice event where we met new friends but also actively worked on a very important AEGEE issue – EurOptimism”, Anna says. We cooperated succesfully with Europe Direct and OneEurope (Forum of future journalists in Europe) and gained the experience of how much work it is, to care for only eight persons.”

There’s always a new challenge though, because right now AEGEE-Aachen is busy with their Summer University,  “Get Trashed the Green Way”, where they will show 25 enthusiastic participants their city while learning them more about environmental issues and the German culture. “We have two different main organizers for the SU and NWM”, Anna says. “Of course both share their knowledge and experiences and already worked together in the board and on specific events. An active local will support them both during the events. For now, two weeks with 25 participants from all over Europe, 1000 new experiences and a lot of fun and different activities are waiting for us!”

If you’re still wondering why you should apply for this NWM, Anna has listed out all the reasons: “Our antenna is well-known in the whole AEGEE network for always having a lot of fun, for being in every event and for always taking good care of our guests! For example, we had three exchanges this spring and all antennae were really satisfied with their stay here and the hospitality of the polar bears! So we want to show more people that polar bears are simply the best!”

Written by Svenja van der Tol, AEGEE-Nijmegen