This Spring Agora Patra already looks legendary, with many outstanding candidates for the most important positions. One of the candidates, Claudio Gennaro from AEGEE-Cagliari, runs for one of the positions at the Juridical Commission (JC), and now you have the opportunity to meet him before Agora starts!

The AEGEEan: As we traditionally start our interviews, please tell our readers about yourself and your AEGEE experience!

Claudio: My name is Claudio Gennaro, I’m 21, I come from Agrigento and I’m studying the fourth year of Law. I’m currently an Erasmus student at the university of Silesia in Katowice and I am member of AEGEE since winter 2011. I have known AEGEE during a students’ meeting at the university while I was in my second year, the day after I applied for the New Year’s Event in Valletta and right afterwards my life has never been the same anymore. I have been inmediately active on the local level covering almost every duty; from secretary to driver, from cleaning the hostel before and after any event to external relations with public authorities, from simultaneous translator to bartender. I cannot imagine my daily life without AEGEE, most of my best friends are part of it and I meet or talk with them everyday. I am definitely addicted and I like it!

The AEGEEan: Why did you decide to apply to JC and what are the ideas you would like to implement?

Claudio: I am a law student and after two terms as subcommissioner of the JC, I can say that at the moment this Commission is the place where I can give my best contribution for the network. Moreover, I have always been fascinated by the Juridical Commission and its work, I remember during my first Agora in Enschede, as a fresh law student and member of AEGEE, I was amazed by the professionality and smoothness of the JC in such a tricky situation. I still have a personal admiration and respect for those commissioners.

My aim is to see the Juridical Commission closer to the average member who is not comfortable with legal English, I would like to have meetings, like Q&A rounds for example, where it would be possible to have quick answers to small clarifications about the CIA or other curiosities. This would help not only our members to have a closer relationship with the Commission, but would also help to relieve the amount of work on the agenda of the JC.

 The AEGEEan:  What would you like to keep, and change, in the work of the JC if you are elected?

Claudio: If elected, my main goal would be to find strategies to reduce waiting times. In order to make it possible it will be necessary to have a better internal division of tasks and for this reason it will be a priority to create a strong team of subcommissioners and involve them more actively in the work of the Commission.

This would give as outcome not only to optimize the work of the commissioners but also to have a better knowledge transfer. Personally I loved being a subcommie, is an amazing and crucial experience that every aspirant to the JC should try before running for this position.

The AEGEEan:  What had AEGEE taught you and what have you gained with AEGEE?

Claudio:  Team spirit, passion, dedication to work and that changes don’t come by themselves. AEGEE is the perfect enviroment for self-development, I would consider it like a school where you are not studying only theoretically but where you are actually working and being part of something bigger than yourself. While dealing with any activity you are already learning something new, a new language or how to manage with unexpected events or problems, how to lead  your team and how to be an engine from it. AEGEE is a boost to your potential.

 The AEGEEan:  During your work as Speaker of the Human Resources Committee what were your personal achievements?

Claudio:  We had the possibility of being able to help a lot of members dealing with everyday problems and has been very interesting and motivating to investigate within the network how a different management of human resources can influence the wellness and then the productivity of every team. I would have liked to involve more members into this project but I am sure that my successors will rock the committee. If elected, for sure I will use the skills acquired during my time at the HRC in order to create a cohesive and solid working team.

The AEGEEan:  Will being a member of Juridical Commission be the top of your AEGEE career or do you plan you move to higher positions in the future?

Claudio:  There is a bet between a former president of AEGEE-Agrigento and other oldies about me at the Comité Directeur, but I think that they are just kidding. Right now I am only focused on the JC, if in future there will be favorable circumstances I will also think about other positions.

The AEGEEan:  Share a story when your AEGEE experience helped you in your life.

Claudio:  I can feel it almost everyday in every situation, but I remember an episode in particular, last year at my university, when a teacher had to organize a conference with some foreign guests. Due to a small health problem and procrastination by my university, four days before the event nothing was ready and he was completely panicking. So he decided to call me, since I was the only member of AEGEE in his faculty, and to ask me to help him with the organization of the conference. The same day, after a small meeting with other colleagues, we found an accomodation for almost half of the price and organized everything, from the decoration of the main hall to the pick-up service at the airport, including also a social programme which was not expected in the original schedule. Everything was ready two days before the opening ceremony and when we thought that our job was finished, they called us back because translators were also needed. The event was a success and later on the university decided to give its economical contribution for an exchange with another AEGEE local.

The AEGEEan:  How do you see yourself and AEGEE in 5 years?

Claudio:  I will be a member for sure, maybe more or maybe less active than now, but for sure I will still be a part of it. As for AEGEE, I can see more non-EU locals inside and a stronger impact of our network regarding non-formal education. The YVote or the Europe on Track projects (just to mention a couple) are, in my opinion, just paving the way to a bigger social commitment of AEGEE.

The AEGEEan:  The last question, why do people have to choose you exactly?

Claudio:  Because they would vote for an enthusiastic AEGEEan who will put all his passion and devotion at service of the Juridical Commission!

Good luck to Claudio, we will see him soon in Agora!

Written by Annie Smailikova, AEGEE-Kyiv

Denise (AEGEE-Groningen) is not only pretty but guess what – she is also smart. The Dutch nominee for the Best Dressed lady at the European Board Meeting (EBM) does not only have the opportunity to win this nice AEGEEans Choice Award at the Agora Enschede, but she also has the opportunity to make it into the Juridical Commision (JC).

When The AEGEEan caught up with Denise on Skype it was not only possible to hear her pretty voice, but also the noise of cars passing. The reason for this was that she was sitting outside on her FatBoy in the sun, enjoying the Dutch weather. Something that may sound weird to a lot of people since Dutch weather is more famous for raining a lot and not having the sun shine down of its habitants. This may be the reason why Denise tried to move to Spain previously. More specifically she went to Barcelona where she wanted to settle down. As many could imagine Denise did everything to try to make it in Spain. She spent her time working in the Hard Rock Café while pursing her goal of studying in the South of Europe. In the end it turned out to be impossible and Denise then chose to return to Groningen where she is studying private and criminal Dutch law. Denise adores working with and studying law which is the main reason why she is candidating for JC.

Why are you interested in making it into the JC?

Denise: “I am a law student and I am interested in the legal aspects of the Association. Furthermore, I wanted to get more active in AEGEE, especially on European level, so 1+1 = JC.”

Author’s remark: JC is not new chapter in Denise’s life. She has been the active of the local JC of Groningen for a while, currently serves as president of local JC, and has been a JC subcommie of AEGEE since November 2011.

 What do you like about being a JC subcommie and president of your local JC?

Denise: “As a subcommie I really liked the fact that I could take a look behind the scenes. It is like a test to see if JC is the right commission for you. As for the President position of our local JC, I like it because that way I will make sure the things that have to be done will be done.”

In comparison to other commissions the JC is very popular with a high number of candidates, why is that so?

Denise: “I guess it is because if you are into law, then JC is THE commission for you. This year we had five subcommissioners which is quite exceptional case. Furthermore out of these five, four chose to candidate for JC: three running for JC and one striving to become part of the NetCom.

Why should people choose Denise for JC?

Denise: “First of all, I feel that I have the experience needed to be a good JC member. Working for both my Legal Consultancy and our local Juridical Commission helped me to gain experience in resolving many legal issues. Besides, I am very motivated, diplomatic and reliable which in my opinion are very important qualities for our amazing association. Finally, being President of the Youth Fraternization Association has taught me skills in organising and communication, and more importantly, my ability to work in a team.”

Languages, Cooking and Basketball

Besides law and AEGEE Denise spends time on developing her language skills. She currently speaks five languages; Spanish, Dutch, English, French, German plus the basics of Italian and Turkish. An important fact: as AEGEE-Europe registered in Brussels more or less requires a JC member to speak either Dutch or French. Well, if you think that the impressive list of Denise’s spare time activities finishes at language learning – you will make a big mistake.  Besides this she is playing piano and the AEGEEan  test proves her fingers create real music to the ears. Furthermore, she also loves to cook and hope that one day it will be possible to have an AEGEE cooking book collecting typical dishes from antennae all over Europe. And if all this activities sound too girlish – then what about the basketball? Yeah, basketball. That’s what she always do if the weather is sunny as it is now.

And after so many activities you ask yourself   “does this girl ever have time for studying?” the answer is “of course, yes” and actually Denise was at the library studying just before catching up with The AEGEEan.

Let us wish her good luck.

Written by Patricia Anthony, AEGEE-København