Due to the fact that NWM in Zaragoza took place only a few weeks after Agora Cagliari, it was mainly organised by former NetCom Carmen María and her team, although some members of the new team (Olga Rivero’s Tripulación) were also involved in the programme preparation and presentations.

Another Network Meeting (NWM), another pleasant and different experience with the members of our Network. We needed some winds of change in our NWMs, so we tried to implement some changes and improvements suggested by the participants in our last Spring NWM in Alicante, although the new team will have to continue working on it in order to keep improving the format. This time, we tried to make the content more practical and we held more sessions to share knowledge and experiences. There was more time for participants to talk and share their concerns, doubts and ideas, even if the outcome was not as dynamic and energetic as expected after all the discussions we had during the Spring NWM in Alicante and in our Facebook group before Agora Cagliari, where the participation in discussions increased notably.

The team was lucky to count on experienced people from different European bodies, people who contributed and shared a lot with the rest; Antonija Parat from the Comité Directeur (CD) who showed us the achievements of AEGEE so far and made us think about our motivation while also clarifying loads of interesting topics, Policy Officers Léa Charlet and Pablo Hernández who conducted a consultation on Gender Equality and Youth Employment, Speaker of the Action Agenda Coordination Team (ACT) Ruben Navarro who led a great session about the Action Agenda, Esperanza Rodriguez from AEGEE-Las Palmas who taught us more about Financial Reports and Erasmus +, Anna Gumbau from the 30^th Anniversary Team who informed us about the project, Liaison Officer Laia García who was always there to raise discussions, Regional Advisor from BEST Carlos Freire who was representing our beloved partner association and many other involved and active members from our area.

Not to talk about the nice social programme AEGEE-Zaragoza prepared! A tourist bus tour around Zaragoza to start knowing the city, their great work with the location of the accommodation and the facilities (in the middle of the city!), nice meals and many details thanks to their excellent fundraising work and, of course, a Celebrities party where participants let their imagination soar and became famous for that night. It should be pointed out that our current president, Paul Smits, was more than present there! 

Below you can find some experiences from participants and presenters with different backgrounds:

Antonija Parat from CD: ‘I enjoyed the event very much. The atmosphere was just perfect: engaged participants, caring organisers, an experienced NetCom team and quality content. For me as a CD member it was nice to see face-to-face where our members stand, what the topics are they care about, and what they hope to see in the future in our organisation. I was truly happy to be there.’

Silvia Sierra from AEGEE-Zaragoza, main organiser of the NWM: ‘It has been a pleasure to coordinate such a great event, the zNWM, and we hope this event has been really productive and fruitful. We have learned from our own successes and problems to continue growing up without falling in the same old errors. Afterwards, the organisers’ reward has been to know that our participants have been happy during the event and have enjoyed it in every moment.’

Pablo Ruiz from AEGEE-Zaragoza, subcommissioner: ‘When I think of the last Network Meeting, I smile to myself seeing the great atmosphere that surrounded the event. Excellent lodging in the center of the city, quite good meals, devoted organisers and, above all, a group of participants who have shown they don’t only share a common region, but what they actually share is a strong friendship and a really good vibe between them. Could I ask for anything else from a NWM in my beloved city? The only thing I disliked about the event is the fact it had to finish.’

Esperanza Rodriguez from Las Palmas ‘After being away from Europe for some time, I was excited but a bit afraid before this NWM. It was my 4th but after missing the previous four, I wasn’t exactly an oldie nor a newbie… But I came back with my batteries fully charged after such a weekend! For me, everything was perfect: the organisation, the content, the social program and the team spirit!’

Julien Denis from AEGEE-Paris: ‘This was my first AEGEE meeting and besides my admiration for the perfect job made by the organising committee, I was impressed by the commitment of all those young people to this association, all of them sharing a similar vision and working hand in hand. This experience made me want to commit myself to a greater extent in AEGEE and work harder to develop my antenna.’

Olga Rivero, current NetCom: ‘Even though I was expecting more discussions and productive talks at some points, I think that with this event we were really on the way of organising the kind of NWM that participants want! Everybody was really happy and motivated at the end of the weekend, and for those who work on the content of the event that is just amazing and inspiring to keep on working to make it even better.’

Once more, many thanks to AEGEE-Zaragoza’s organising team for their great help and wonderful work with the logistics of the event, making everyone comfortable and happy. Thanks again to Antonija for all her help and contribution to this NWM. And a special mention from my side to my team, La Tripulación, and the other collaborators for their support during the organisation of this NWM and their outstanding work. And of course, last but not least, thanks to every participant who took part in this NWM.

Let’s keep on rocking “La Nave” and AEGEE! 

Written by Carmen María López Banegas, AEGEE-Alicante.
Pictures courtesy of Alberto Arroyo from AEGEE-Madrid and of AEGEE-Zaragoza’s team.

Pauline Létard has been working hard as a Network Commissioner since Autumn Agora Zaragoza and it is certainly appreciated not only by the Network Commission in which she was part of the speaker team but also all the antennae she was responsible for. Due to personal reasons she chose to resign and Carmen María López Banegas from AEGEE-Alicante has become her replacement as a NetCom assistant until Agora Cagliari.

It has recently become public that the Autumn Network Meeting of La Nave (the name of French, Spanish and Portuguese Network ed.) will be hosted by AEGEE-Zaragoza and Renove 4.0 will be in Madrid. That, together with loads of Summer Universities across Spain, Portugal and France, this new NetCom assistant Carmen Maria has plenty of tasks on the to-do-list. The AEGEEan interviewed Carmen Maria about her motivation to join the Network Commission, and her plans for her term now over the summer.

The AEGEEan: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Carmen Maria: I studied International Business and I have been working on that field for more than six years. I am the Overseas Dept. manager of my company and I love my job. I live in the more than sunny Murcia. I enjoy nearly all kinds of music and I am some sort of keen on films.

I joined AEGEE because I missed international atmosphere after living in the United Kingdom for a year and a friend of mine told me about his great experience during a Summer Course and ended his explanation with “CM, that’s your association” so I searched for it on the Internet and immediately joined AEGEE-Alicante. That was back in 2011.

The AEGEEan: What have you done in AEGEE?

Carmen Maria: I was a board member of my beloved antenna during 2012-2013, 2013-2014. I help with everything I can since I am not pigeonholed and do not mind carrying out new and different tasks.

I have been organiser of a Summer University, two Network Meetings (one in the NetCom team and the other in both local and NetCom team) and thematic events as Tabarca, Starts Under the Sea, 10th Anniversary and Mediterraneanly in Alicante.

Other than that I have been a Participant in two Summer Universities, four Network Meetings (we are going for the fifth!), one Agora and three RENOVEs (first as member of the NetCom team and going for the forth), many local events/activities and a few thematic events (New Year Events, anniversary) in other antennae.

The AEGEEan: What has been your favorite moment(s) in AEGEE?

Carmen Maria: This is a tricky question. I have loads of great moments in AEGEE… Maybe I fondly remember the Network Meeting in Gijón as I became more active right after it. I always come back home full of energy and motivation after every event. The very best for me is when people are happy about the result of any event, sharing with others the joy.

The AEGEEan: Why did you decide to apply to become NetCom assistant? 

Carmen Maria: I was already in the NetCom team of Pauline; we talked about it and considered it was a good idea to keep on working with this area since knowing the field makes it easier. I think I have the motivation and commitment needed to do so. Let’s see!

How has it helped prepare you for the task as NetCom assistant being a subcommie for quite a while? 

Carmen Maria: I guess so. I have been working with two NetComs (Pilar Lop and Pauline Létard) and with many different team members. Maybe the work is different now, of course, but I already enjoyed what I did helping some antennae and trying to do so with our area so I hope it keeps this way at least.

The AEGEEan: How will you work with subcommies?

Carmen Maria: We will probably keep working in a similar style as before. The team is very consultative and democratic. I like having different opinions and backgrounds on the team because it helps to solve problems easier and makes the team more versatile and efficient.

The AEGEEan: What is on your agenda for the upcoming months in the area of La Tripulación?

Carmen Maria: We have fourteen Summer Universities all over Spain, two in France and one in Portugal, some Summer Events around as well as Castelló and, of course, RENOVE in Madrid. Later on, we will start focusing in our NWM in Zaragoza.

 The AEGEEan: Will you be at the NetCom meeting in Budapest? If not, how do you think this affects your upcoming tasks as NetCom assistant?

Carmen: Being in a physical meeting is always significant but everything went so fast I could not make it. Working online is not a problem for me and with the help of the other NetComs I guess I will manage.

The AEGEEan: Do you think that it will affect your work that it is now the summer time and usually things go more slowly in AEGEE?

Carmen Maria: I believe it does not have to affect more than to any other task. Just the normal problems because everyone is on holiday but nothing out of the ordinary. If people commit and work a bit, there won’t be any important problems.

The AEGEEan: Would you like to candidate for NetCom at Agora Cagliari?

Carmen Maria: Maybe yes, as I wouldn’t  really have considered joining the Network Commission already now but wanted to wait until after Pauline’s period. I guess I will but better to wait at the right time to decide it.

The AEGEEan: When you don’t do AEGEE stuff, what do you like to do in your free time?

Carmen Maria:  I go on other trips with friends, do sports (not much) read and watch films, listen to music and dance, spend time with my family and friends…

The AEGEEan: What could you add that most people probably doesn’t know about you?

Carmen Maria: I am a bit shy at the beginning but after some time I am quite extroverted. At work I am really serious minded; maybe a bit strict and demanding but fair and sincere. I am really cheerful when it comes to leisure and partying.

Written by Patricia Anthony, AEGEE-Zaragoza