The Netcom Times
EBM special issue
Kraków
27th of February 2010
the network: still growing?
New CA: Strengthening vs. enlarging AEGEE-Sarajevo
by Eszter Virág Rab Spreading AEGEE-Spirit around in as many locals as possible is usually one of our goals when we talk about enlargement in the network. It definitely has its advantages: approaching new territories that haven’t been conquered yet by the SU knights, getting to know mysterious cultures or learning to say cheers again in a new language. Meanwhile strengthening would stand for the aim of winning an even bigger repute and respect for the whole organization by making all the locals as equally developed as possible. The process may result in having even more professional antennae
with a very strong education system that could provide the fluent integration of the new AEGEE-freaks. All in all, we could say that first of all creating a very strong basis and background in the already existing locals could stabilise the network, while opening new antennae could bring the fame of our beloved AEGEE into newer and newer places. To sum it up, the enlarging process wouldn’t have to stop, but we’ll always have to keep an eye on quality assurance to make sure that it’s going to live for many more 25 years. HAPPY BIRTHDAY by the way!!!
by AEGEE-Sarajevo AEGEE Sarajevo is located at the very heart of the city of Sarajevo (nearby is located National Theatre), in the country Bosnia and Hercegovina, on the Balcan peninsula. The thing that is special for city of Sarajevo is the fact that it had been uder the various governments: first the Osman Empire, then the Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy, afterwards Yugoslavia and all those governments left specific marks in the city. So if you are going from the center of the town to the old heart of the town called Bascarsija you will first see mix of soviet and AustroHungarian architecture and
slowly as you get closer to the Bascarsija you will see the Osman architecture. Last year, more precisely in May, 10 students from Sarajevo University came together to organize one event called Youth activism days and there we met people from AEGEE Beograd and the whole idea of AEGEE Sarajevo started. During summer we worked hard and in September we had our first Local Agora on which we elected the Board and officially started with work. In this year AEGEE Sarajevo plans to organize Network Meeting, TSU together with AEGEE Kragujevac and other events for local students.
Words from the Speaker
Dear Network,
behold this newspaper! It was designed only for you by your Network Commission, 11 people you elected to take good care of you when you are at home without mummy and daddy... We are bringing you the latest gossips from all over the Network, because we want to bring you closer to each other. “European integration” is what AEGEE strives for, and European integration is what we practice in AEGEE on a daily basis. For example I met this girl from Romania last year, and during the Agora, after a long and interesting conversation we got blind drunk with Polish wódka and made out on the toilet decided to start an exchange project together. In AEGEE, everything is possible, you just have to imagine it – and you have to know about the rest of the Network. To start new and exciting projects, to travel to marvellous places you have never been before, information is everything. That’s why we proudly present you the new edition of the NetCom Times! We are the Network Commission, elected at every Agora to serve and protect the AEGEE Network: to help every Antenna with their questions, doubts and problems. We also help the Comité Directeur, keeping them informed about what is going on in our Network, giving important feedback for their decisions – and cleaning their kitchen in Brussels because they live like pigs are working so hard for AEGEE that they have absolutely no time for their own household. Okay, actually it is not so bad, at least the last CD was even worse. We hope you enjoy reading. And as always, if you have any questions – asking is for free! Yours, Thomas Leszke / AEGEE-Köln Speaker of the Network Commission
Netcom meeting katowice
by Thomas Leszke If you happened to be in the Southern Polish city of Katowice in November 2009, more precisely 5th 8th November, you would have witnessed scary events: the whole region was conquered by aliens! There was no escaping, they were all over the city and its surroundings. But in case you had the courage to have a closer look at them, you would have noticed strange things about them. During the day they seemed to be peaceful, behaving like normal visitors, or even staying inside, pretending to be working. But at night they turned savage, attacking discotheques in raw numbers, hypnotising not only the local population with their
sex appeal. And apparently these aliens were not familiar with the influence of alcohol, or at least they didn’t seem to care... The Space Network Meeting Katowice was a great success, for various reasons. With nearly 200 AEGEE members involved, it was like a small Agora, but the local organisers of AEGEE-Katowice had arranged everything perfectly. They had managed to alienate not only Polish, but also quite a lot of German and Czech participants (nobody knows where they are now). But most of all they had kidnapped six Netcommies and one AEGEE-Europe Network Director. These poor humans were locked into a small dark room
where they had to work all day without seeing the daylight, only getting out after nightfall to join the aliens for their ruthless campaign. Strange enough, even though these Netcommies were held like slaves, they were given a good place to sleep and delicious food every day, and in the end the aliens even let them go (with the task to spread the word about their greatness). Thanks to AEGEEKatowice, especially to Kuba and Michał, and to Netcommie Marika for hosting the internal meeting of the Network Commission during this original and high-quality Network Meeting!
Getting older, but still young by AEGEE-Moskva, AEGEE-Kyiv Growing up in AEGEE? How is it possible? Only in one case, if you are a local! And if you are a local you deserve a huge birthday party, lasting for 1 week, like AEGEE-Moskva, who became 18 in December. One of the most successful locals in the ex-USSR area is famous for the phantastic mix of Russian hospitality and modern city life during their events. And it can’t be dif-
ferent in this local from the capital of Russia, old and full of traditions ex-residence of Russian tsars and a modern business and governmental centre. AEGEE-Moskva is known in the network for high-quality events, both serious and fun ones. Once you came to them you fall in love with their local and city and dream about coming back one day. People from Moscow know how to work and how to rock! AEGEE-Kyiv is getting
older too, but remains one of the brightest stars on our eastern horizon. At the moment you read this article, they are already 15 and maybe tired a bit after a 4-days party in Kyiv. Kyiv showed us, that they are not afraid of challenges, even such a huge one as Agora. They are getting older, but their soul – the members - is still young and ready for new events. Happy Birthday and good luck!
New year’s eve in Wrocław by Marika Heymann AEGEE Wrocław organized the best New Year’s Eve 2009/2010 party! We’ve gathered 140 guests not only from Poland but also from Spain, France and more. The party took place in an elementary school in Wrocław and it was joined with school supplies collection for the kids. The theme of the whole party was “Hollywood” and the costumes were mandatory. We’ve hosted celebrities such as: Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse and Tom
Cruise. All our guests feasted before generously laid tables, and after midnight they’ve welcomed the star of the evening: Barszcz Czerwony (Polish Beetroot Soup) with croquettes. The party continued until the very last person of the dance floor and until the last drop of vodka was drunk. As the visitors were leaving the cleaning ladies bid them farewell. So then... We’d like to thank everyone for coming and we’ll see you next year!
by AEGEE-Durham The last weekend of January 2010 saw Durham play host to its first AEGEE event, a weekend of Scottishthemed fun all in homage to the Scottish poet, Robbie Burns, who is celebrated in Scotland each year on the 25th January. The 20 participants arrived on Friday 22nd and took part in a morning of ice-breakers, followed by a photo challenge tour of the historic city, in which teams had to channel their inner Harry Potter and King Arthur in order to capture the best photos and take home the prize. That night participants treated the Durham AEGEE members to delicacies from their home countries at the international meal, followed by a bar crawl which let the participants sample some of what Durham’s nightlife has to offer. Saturday morning brought an early start as the group made the train journey to Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh. Some took part in a walking tour of the city and learnt about the rich history of this fascinating city. Others took the opportunity to visit the National
Museum of Scotland and the National Galleries, while a few chose to kick back in some of the city’s cafes and soak in the Celtic atmosphere. After a busy day of sightseeing it was back on the train to Durham to get ready for the vital ingredient in any Burns’ Night celebration: the Burns’ Night Supper. The participants gathered in one of Durham’s traditional pubs and were entertained by a Scottish piper and a Celtic folk band. The traditional address to the Haggis, a poem written by Burns himself, was brilliantly delivered by a Durham University student. After everyone had finished their (surprisingly tasty) Haggis, the night really got going as the drink, and the conversation, flowed. On Sunday the guests had the opportunity to explore Durham for themselves and eventually it was time to say goodbye. Everyone was in agreement that Durham AEGEE’s inaugural event had been a resounding success, the only problem being when to start planning the next one…
Burn Baby, Burns
A Day in the life of a Network Director Tallinn and Groningen – from friendship to Twin Antennae
by Anita Kalmane Around 10am in the morning. Half sleepy, half awake I get down to the office. With a cup of tea with milk in my hands I go through my e-mail, turn on Skype, MSN and GTalk and check the latest news updates on Facebook. Network Director’s day has started. People often ask me: “What are you doing all day? Are you working at all? You are all the time online!” And it’s true, I am – but that’s my job. Replying to e-mails, having a conversation on Google Talk with board member of some local, calling on Skype to Network Commissioner and trying to find if somebody from the Academy, PRWG or CWG is online on MSN sound more than normal. If once you hear on the
stage: “… and our Network Director Anita is going to announce you Facebook… I mean, Network Update…”, then know – we tend to joke in this house a lot. There are no similar days in the office here. Of course, the morning ritual always remains the same, but you can never predict how the day will continue and end. Sometimes it’s silent and only around 50 new e-mails arrive in my mailbox, most of them taking just a few minutes to reply. Sometimes the world gets crazy and I get a new message every minute, plus five people want to speak with me at the same time online and I need to find time for all of them. Sometimes I get annoyed by some stupid emails or behavior and start
to shout and do some funny moves. Other CD members are already used to it and do not get scared anymore. Evenings? I hardly notice when the evening comes. No, actually I do it very easily – the bell rings and announces that it’s dinner time. That’s the time when my teammates complain, because most of the time I am not able to join them for dinner and eat it in the front of computer. Reason? Some online meeting going on, which is impossible to be missed. I tend to joke that my job wouldn’t be possible to be fulfilled without internet. I could use normal post and phone, of course, but how much easier it is with internet!
AEGEE Francophone and on the Islands by Natalia Hubert If you are asking yourself which nationalities are never there on AEGEE events, which countries are never represented on European Nights and which participants are hardest to get France and the Islands are on top of the list. But... that is soon to be changed! The boom in the Islands are coming true and soon we will be truly floaded with British people! Same with France: hopefully we will drink more good wine on European Nights.
With two new contacts in the UK: Abertawe (Swansea) and Bath and superactive locals of the North (Durham, Sheffield...) we will hear more and more proper English with this lovely accent. You could sing in the rain last year in NWM Warwick and enjoy the Valentines Day in Sheffield and the Burn’s Nights in Durham. We’re moving even more cities (London, Glasgow, Liverpool) so be ready for the British Invasion! In France, definetely
go and visit AEGEE Lyon and Toulouse, these cities are rocking with their local events! Get ready also for the first Swiss Network Meeting! AEGEE Fribourg is preparing for you a Sweet Swiss Chocolate Shock! Don’t forget to visit Paris, and by the way step by to Belgium! You will be surprised to find not only CD in Bruxelles but also AEGEEBrussel-Bruxelles, meeting in En Face every week. Get yourself also to crazy Antwerpen and Leuven, you won’t regret!
by Kairi Püss Great things can start from a small e-mail, short message with an irresistable proposal to the members of AEGEETallinn to visit the most Northest Dutch antenna, AEGEE-Groningen and check out the mixed program prepared by the local students to present the best parts of its culture, have visits to the local authorities, to the countryside and nature preservs etc etc. Of course a little push to send the exchange proposal to AEGEETallinn came from the fact that Groningen and Tallinn are twin cities, so why not to co-operate also in the AEGEE level. So far these two mentioned AEGEE locals have had two very successful exchanges, one in Groningen in October/ November 2008 and one in Tallinn in November in 2009 which have helped students with relatively different cultural and historical backround understand each other’s heritage and traditions better. From intensive debates and running dinners to sitting on the E-Government prime minister’s seat and dipping in the snow after hot sauna and more – variety of activities to make each participant
of the exhanges to feel the spirit! As these student organisations’ cities are also strenthening their collaboration as well as the universities, then AEGEE-Tallinn and AEGEE-Groningen have also an aim to sign the official Twin Antenna contract soon to continue being an exchange partners, sharing knowledge in different fields and helping to promote eachother’s European scale events. This example of good co-operation between antennae is showing that not always you need to have the European funds support to carry out amazing events to meet and share the spirit, but when being attentive, flexible and also a bit lucky then it is not much of a difficulty to design a good programme, find some support in the financial form or in kind to have the great fellow AEGEEans over and let the European spirit flow and create even more ideas for future events and to also not only talk about them but to also make them a reality. Follow the example of those two antennae and find your Twin Antenna to strenthen the European cooperation and through that your own antenna!
Wanted: AEGEE-Hero The best job agency in Europe called „AEGEE“ – Agency for Extravagant, Glamourous, and Erotic Eagerness – has something new on offer: from 17th April, 2010 (Agora Leiden), six new people are needed who like to travel, meet new people all over Europe, help them with their projects, and make the Agora happy with lots of success stories. The name of
this job is „AEGEE Hero“, also known as „Network Commissioner“. YOU can be a Network Commissioner! If you are interested in joining us in April, or just curious about our work, you are very welcome to approach us anytime. And you are invited to join our internal meeting on Friday at 18:30 – see you there!
New CA: AEGEE-Antalya
Double interview: Eszti and Alfredo Question
Eszti
Alfredo
Age Local
23 A-Pécs and A-KØbenhavn
24 A-Salerno
How long have you been AEGEE I joined it 2 years ago Since September 2006 member? 3 words to describe each other Sunglasses, funny, liar (or funny liar), no Brave (decided to candidate during the ok, motivating Agora), lazy (she prefers hardworkers), enthusiastic (ready to everything she likes) First event as participant? SU Torino “TO-MOVE” 2008 Spring Agora Ljubljana 2008 And as organiser? SU Pécs “Pannonian Pie” TSU Post Event “Napoli-Salerno One-Way” 2006 Opinion about CD house? Messy and lovely at the same time Never been there! Next destination abroad? Copenhagen now, but I’m planning to Bruxelles go to Poland (not with AEGEE) How many locals are you responsible 19 31 for? How many subcommies do you have? 1 7 (6 + PR subcommie) Favourite Pasta? Gnocchi al Pesto Verde Gnocchi al Ragù Last time you got drunk? Still under the effect of last night Last week, on Friday (Erasmus life…) Ever been drunk during a statutory well, the European nights are always Of course! event? kind of nice... :) But still, I’ve attended the plenaries... And during the plenaries? Nope Not drunk, but drinking! If you could be a superhero, what The ability to develop new superpow- the power to move into time and space would you want your superpowers to ers, but if I had to choose only one, with the thoughts be? that would be moving things with my thoughts What is the thing that you can’t live A to-do list My laptop without? Are you in love? Not for now Yes, with a non-AEGEE member What did you want to be when you OMG, a lawyer... preferences have President of the Republic of Italy were 12 years old? changed dramatically... Your weakness? I want to do 1001 things at the same Sometimes I’m too much confident in time...not always manageable!...that’s me! why I need a to-do list! Your passion? if we can include travelling and for- Reading and dancing eign languages in AEGEE, then I’d say fencing What is the last book you read? “Anatomy of a trend” Henrik Vejlgaard, “The Fourth Commandment. Honore about trend research. your father” Who could play your life? Kate Winslet I would choose between Clooney and De Niro The craziest trip you’d like to do? I’d need a gap year to visit all the places For me the craziest will be from Moskva, that are mentioned in the book that I’ve Trans-Siberian till Vladivostok, and received from my flat-mates: a Year of then train till Beijing adventure (Lonely Planet) - dog sled in Greenland if I’d have to choose only one Your best cocktail? Mojito Negroni or Invisibile strawberry which cartoon hero would you be? Mulan: she’s a good fencer, she’s brave, Lupin III, the Gentleman Thief but still she finds her prince If you had only six months left to live, Travelling as well :D South America, If i had only six month: travelling: what would you do with the time? Africa and the missed parts of Europe. Russia, China, Japan, South America. Eszti, Alfredo, will you get married ? Is there a church open now??? Not sure…we’ll ask around.
by AEGEE-Antalya AEGEE Antalya is located in Akdeniz University Campus. We are corporated in university with Akdeniz University sudents. Akdeniz University has 11 faculties. Our office is in Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences. The city of Antalya is the heart of students, torurism and history. Especially students are happy about the diversity of cultural activities in our city. This is one of the most important reasons, why we have decided to found AEGEE in Antalya. The Akdeniz University, where our office is located, is in the center of the city. In the begining of 2009 our president made a decision to establish an Antenna of the European Students Forum at our University. Following this decision, we have gathered a lot of motivated students to join our association. After the first formalities were overcome, we have started to do an advertisment campaign at our compus and now we are so happy about having nearly 40 members in Aegee-Antalya. Our following plan is a second Local Training Course for our new members, which will take place probably in May. Also in May we want to organise a Network Meeting.! In July we are going to have a Summer University! Who want to come to this perfect city? Sea, sun, history with the sprit of Aegee!
Editorial
Publisher
Network Commission
Editor in Chief & Layout Michael Makowiecki Editors Thomas Leszke, Natalia Hubert, Alfredo Selitti, Anita Kalmane, Kairi Püss, Eszter Virág Rab, Marika Heymann E-Mail netcom@aegee.org