World Youth Summit on GlobalisationAlexianne GaleaCaucasus Case Study Trip: "Building Bridges to <strong>Europe</strong>"Aliki LouvrouBrussels, 10-12.12.03Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan 13-31 August <strong>2003</strong>his world has taken on a melancholic strain, seeing thatTnot everything is going as well as it should be and sensingour dream of making this world a better place growingmore and more distant is, to say the least, distressing.However, the feeling that in our own way, as young committedcitizens, we can somehow do something, motivated allthe delegates assembled at the <strong>Europe</strong>an Parliament for theWorld Youth Summit on Globalisation.All the four corners of the world were represented at theGrand Closure of the <strong>2003</strong> Year plan Project, an event whichby itself marked a breakthrough for <strong>AEGEE</strong>. In fact, for thevery first time, <strong>AEGEE</strong> hosted other international NGOs andyouth activists from over 30 countries all across the world,ranging from pacific Australia to exotic Costa Rica; from cosmopolitanAmerica to charming Zambia and from delightfulAzerbaijan to remarkable Britain! Indeed, only a truly multiculturalyouth debate could produce such a bold and enrichingFinal Strategy Paper on Globalisation.The World Youth Summit transcended mere talk and discussions,primarily through its working methodology. Aimed atobtaining concrete, sustainable results, the three-day longsummit included thematic workshops and alternating forumdiscussions and open dialogues. The delegates couldaddress major issues of our time with illustrious personalitiessuch as Haleh Bridi, World Bank Special Representativeto the EU, and Brigita Schmognerova, Executive Secretary ofUNECE, as well as Joao Vale de Almeida representing the<strong>Europe</strong>an Commission, Christophe Ersnt from theInternational Labour Organisation, and many others.Fleur, <strong>AEGEE</strong>-UtrechtLogistics Team MemberLogistics. Hmmm … Definitely notto be neglected at any kind ofevent. The logistics team naturallyalways stays a bit in the shadows,compared with the rest. However,running around, picking participantsup from the airport, leadingthem to their hostels, preparinglunches, making coffee and tea, waking them up in themorning, guiding them around and in the meanwhilejust enjoying their company made it worthwhile for meto volunteer for this Summit. To see things once fromanother, non-participant's point of view.And what made this event even more special (apartfrom the fact it was my first big <strong>Europe</strong>an event, beingan <strong>AEGEE</strong> member for only less than a year) was theoverseas participants, as they understand the processof globalisation from an entirely different perspective. Irealised during these three days that in fact I was notonly a staff member, but rather found myself in themiddle of integration once more. After all, that's what<strong>AEGEE</strong> is about.Despite the cloudy Brussels weather and the public transportstrike, after lengthy and sometimes heated discussions, thedelegates eventually managed to produce a bold FinalStrategy Paper on Globalisation! Opening with a finely tuneddefinition of globalisation as a 'dynamic multi-dimensionaland interconnected process that generates intertwined linksaffecting all aspects of contemporary life', the delegatesadvocated the importance of adopting free and fair trade,thus permitting developing countries to have equal bargainingpower in international trade. Apprehension was showntowards the current status of International Organisations,and recommendations included enhanced accountability andenabling nation states to develop in line with their indigenouspolitical culture. A global civil society endorsing culturaldiversity was cherished, while general acclamation welcomedthe assertion that globalisation remains an opportunityto reduce insularity and eradicate prejudice, thusenhancing deeper cultural knowledge and leading to commonunderstanding in a global context.The World Youth Summit on Globalisation enjoyed thePatronage of Baroness Emma Nicholson of Winterbourne,Member of the <strong>Europe</strong>an Parliament, and of the College of<strong>Europe</strong>, and received support from the World Bank.Euractiv.com and Foreign Policy Magazine were the officialmedia partners, while the International Youth Parliamenthad observer status throughout the working sessions.ZAMBIA IN THE GLOBAL VILLAGEPresley ChiyesuExecutive Director, Zambia Youth Promotionses, the World Youth Summit proved to be a per-platform to realize that we are not alone inYfectAfrica. <strong>AEGEE</strong> gave a beginning to a small networkof young people striving for the same goals all overthe world. And as a result: advocacy and actionbasedstrategies drawn up by nearly 200 youngsterswho do care about the future direction ofglobalization. Young people generally share thesame ideas and are eager to help Africa in pertinentmatters. To demonstrate our determination,we, Zambian Youth Promotions, are organizing afollow-up to this magnificent Summit. In the formof a conference we will try to convene Zambianyouth and call them to act to create a Pan-AfricanYouth Network, to raise awareness and to cry forhelp.Thank you, <strong>AEGEE</strong>, for a Summit of this magnitude.And we truly hope for further co-operation,the realisation of our joint efforts and to be furtherpart of the global village.idden behind the veil of the Soviet era for most of theH20th century, the Caucasus region is situated at thecrossroads of <strong>Europe</strong> and Asia, of the West and East, of theold world and the new. History's oldest vineyards are foundin Georgia; Armenia was the first country to embraceChristianity in the fourth century; the Silk Route linkingChina with Italy passed through the Caucasus mountains.The Caucasus region, despite its small size, is extremelyrich in culture and history. Yet, most of us know this regiononly because of its oil, its natural resources and the ongoingconflicts.But, what about its culture, its people or its students? Howdoes student life look like over there? What is the everydayreality of young Georgians, Armenians, Azeris? How does localcivil society look like? Are there studentsinterested in the <strong>AEGEE</strong> principles? Thesewere few of the questions that a bunch ofmotivated <strong>AEGEE</strong> members set out to discoverwith the three main goals: to raiseawareness in <strong>AEGEE</strong> about the Caucasus, toestablish links with local students, and topromote the <strong>AEGEE</strong> principles in theSouthern Caucasus region.What exactly happened during these twoweeks? After months of preparations a group of 15 <strong>AEGEE</strong>members flew to the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi. Accompaniedby six students from Georgia and five from Armenia we spentthe first week travelling all over the astonishing country ofGeorgia, then we separated: one group went to Armenia andthe other to Azerbaijan. After one week, the team reunited inTbilisi for exchanging experience, findings, reaching final conclusionsand making plans for follow-up. Through a series ofmeetings, workshops, presentations and other activities wehad the chance to get first-hand information on the currentsituation in the area, and also to share the <strong>AEGEE</strong> spirit withour hosts.This unique experience definitely opened the door to <strong>AEGEE</strong>Peopleo f t h eP a s tZsuzsa Kigyos is a 32-year-oldgraduate of the BudapestUniversity of Economics, majoringin Marketing, <strong>Europe</strong>anStudies and Finance. She wasamong the founders of <strong>AEGEE</strong>-Budapest and later on a memberof the Board for a year. After thatshe was elected a member of theCD of <strong>AEGEE</strong>-<strong>Europe</strong> betweenNovember 1992 and 1993,responsible for the student mobility program (TEM-PUS), then for half a year she was a President of<strong>AEGEE</strong>-<strong>Europe</strong> (11/93 - 4/94).You were the first woman to become President of <strong>AEGEE</strong>-<strong>Europe</strong>, and what’s more, originating from CEE; how didyou feel when you were elected?I think it was a very interesting period for us as <strong>AEGEE</strong>members, since it was during the time when the <strong>Europe</strong>anCommission gradually opened up for Central and Eastern<strong>Europe</strong> and the CEE societies and economies entered a newera of transformation.for expansion furthertowards the East. Itexpanded our knowledgeon this particularregion, now enablingfurther co-operationand having a concreteidea of what to expect.It raised the interest ofour network, so the follow-upteam is already being set up. It unveiled a lack of cooperationalplatforms between the Caucasus countries andthe <strong>Europe</strong>an Union higher education institutions, as well asthe <strong>Europe</strong>an Commission. It created a challenge for <strong>AEGEE</strong>to help fellow students in a region where NGOs like <strong>AEGEE</strong>are mostly needed.Therefore, following all the work we have done after the casestudy trip, the next step we will all take at the Agora inSkopje (April <strong>2004</strong>) where the first Georgian locals will joinofficially our network.In terms of projects, priority will be given to projects supportingthe mobility of our new friends towards <strong>Europe</strong>, suchas scholarship competitions, financial support for participationin <strong>AEGEE</strong> events, and of course lobbying the <strong>Europe</strong>anInstitutions to include the three Caucasus republics into theirfuture education programmes. In our immediate plans, weare envisaging a <strong>Europe</strong>an School in Tbilisi, offering thepractical knowledge needed to run locals in a successful way,adapted to the local reality. There is also the idea to organiseanother case study trip, this time concentrating onAzerbaijan or Armenia. And of course, we wish to supportany initiatives for exchanges between locals.In a nutshell, I believe this was definitely a very interactiveexperience, rich in cultural education and in deeper understandingof how International politics interlink and influencethe lives of millions of people.Aliki Louvrou was the Project Manager for the CST.I felt very much honored that the Agora elected mePresident and trusted that I could manage the organizationtogether with my fellow CD members.Did <strong>AEGEE</strong> experience change your attitude towards thewestern world?I think the "<strong>AEGEE</strong> experience" thought me how to workwith an international team, including people with diversebackgrounds, rather than changing my attitude towards thewestern world.How would you encourage <strong>AEGEE</strong> members to play anactive role in a civil society?I believe that everybody has his or her basic characteristicsto start with, but that we are different. Since we are membersof society we have some external or social obligationsas well. Everybody needs to become active in civil societyonly based on the internal obligation s/he feels, consideringat the same time the needs of the society. When youthink about whether to play an active role or not I wouldsuggest thinking about these types of obligations and act inaccordance with your own conclusion. I think I am fairlyliberal and would strongly encourage someone only if Iknow the person and the task s/he needs to take.What <strong>AEGEE</strong> means to me Focus on training Fields of action What is <strong>AEGEE</strong>? Introduction20 <strong>Key</strong> to <strong>Europe</strong> <strong>2003</strong>/<strong>2004</strong> <strong>Key</strong> to <strong>Europe</strong> <strong>2003</strong>/<strong>2004</strong>21
Think <strong>Europe</strong> Planning MeetingLeonoor BrouwerAction <strong>Europe</strong> Planning MeetingBetina SzkudlarekEnschede 28.02 - 02.03.<strong>2003</strong>Magusa 12-14.09.03pring of <strong>2003</strong> marked another challenging statutorySevent in the <strong>AEGEE</strong> Calendar: the Think <strong>Europe</strong> PlanningMeeting organised by <strong>AEGEE</strong>-Enschede. More than 250<strong>AEGEE</strong> members from all over <strong>Europe</strong> found their way to theNetherlands for the event. As it is the case with everySpring "Think <strong>Europe</strong>" Planning Meeting, the contentremained focused on extended brainstorming: generatingideas about the direction the association should follow andassessment of <strong>AEGEE</strong>'s policies and activities in the light ofgeneral tendencies in society and the policies of the<strong>Europe</strong>an Union. The plans for activities and <strong>AEGEE</strong> involvementreached as far and were as bold as organising theCaucasus Case Study Trip, and the discussions over thepolitical role of <strong>AEGEE</strong> and the extent to which <strong>AEGEE</strong> shouldbe involved in creatingpolitical statements.Eight different workshopstackled eightdifferent topics, andthe participants couldchoose which one toattend. On Sundaythe results of all thediscussions were presentedto the Plenaryand indeed the workshopsgenerated a lotSpring AgoraBucuresti 28.02 - 02.03.<strong>2003</strong>ome loved it. Some hated it. Agony and Ecstasy. OneSthing is for sure: everyone felt it. We are talking ofcourse about the ultimate extreme experience of <strong>AEGEE</strong>Bucuresti when it comes to the Spring Agora <strong>2003</strong>.The mission statement of the event was short and simplefrom the very beginning: to organize the coolest Agora ever.Seminar rooms in the Parliament House, hotel accommodation,and a great socialprogramme with partieseach night. Some said thatwe were out of our minds,others just called us abunch of incorrigibledreamers. Some just saidwe were pushing our luck.And the moment of truthwas soon to come...After all, pushing our luck was probably the best description.How much chance remains when one month before theevent things start to collapse one by one? First you are toldthat the Parliament House is going to be closed when youneed it. Then the accommodation money dissolves in theheat of your anger. OH BOY! You are not only an extremedreamer, but also in deep trouble!So... take a deep breath, then another one, and start everythingall over again. And do not forget to keep the faith!There are lots of details that are invisible for the audience.Those two weeks proved to be the most intense in the livesof many. To create basic conditions such as accommodation,seminar rooms and food for 850 people in Constanta provednot to be the most challenging task. Having a train to andof different opinions and ideas for developing and initiating<strong>AEGEE</strong> activities. But the participants had not only come tothink and brainstorm. That's why the organisation had takencare that the social program was also of a good quality!There were some fantastic parties, especially the <strong>Europe</strong>annight on Saturday, which took place in Asterion, the famouspub of <strong>AEGEE</strong>-Enschede, with excellent music, great drinksand a lot of socialising.Bart Pegge, Organising Teamhat made the PM organisa-so special to me? MaybeWtionit was the wonderful time that wespent at the registration desk,meeting old friends after 'longtime no see'? Or maybe it was thegreat experience of waking up250 people in a gym at 7am? Alsoseeing over 300 people dancingat the <strong>Europe</strong>an Night and then celebrating my ownbirthday gave me a warm feeling. But the best werethe 'thank-you-mails' that were sent afterwards.Sorry... it is too difficult to explain, being <strong>Europe</strong>anlyyours is a feeling, and it's a special one.Andrei Popescufrom Constanta was quite OK. Calming down the rectorthreating one day before the event that he is withdrawingeverything because a press article did not mention his university(which proved to be a false rumor after all) or findingout in the middle of the night that 200 promised accommodationplaces simply vanished when all organizers werealready sleeping in the hall of the hotel that night were notthe happiest moments in our lives.But all this is over by now. The event was definitely differentfrom the one many people pictured only few weeks beforethe Agora actually took place. It was definitely an experience,but life goes on and soon it will be forgotten by many.For others it may even remain a good story for their grandchildren.The important thing is that it is a true story, madereal by some people who, when hope was more like somethingto be dreamed of and when everything seemed to fallapart, were still too stubborn to lose faith.t is a historical occasion forIus to hold such an extraordinaryPM here in Magusa. Weare not always aware of thefact that we are living throughmajor historical changes.Sometimes, however, historycrystallises into a single, overwhelmingevent - those wordscould be found in the preambleto the Planning Meeting inMagusa written by the membersof the Comité Directeur.One of the main reasons toorganise the Planning Meetingin Magusa was the willingness of <strong>AEGEE</strong> members to manifestthat the united continent should not have any bordersfor <strong>Europe</strong>ans. And this dream became reality for at least fewdays.The autumn Planning Meeting gives <strong>AEGEE</strong> members anopportunity to meet and actively shape the future of theassociation. In Magusa young people from all around <strong>Europe</strong>Autumn AgoraZaragoza 22-26.10.03n Autumn <strong>2003</strong>, the <strong>Europe</strong>an Students' Forum <strong>AEGEE</strong>Iheld its twice yearly General Assembly in Zaragoza, Spain.Almost 800 delegates and envoys from all over <strong>Europe</strong> gatheredtogether again in order to make another important stepforward regarding the Association's future. <strong>AEGEE</strong>’s GeneralAssemblies focus on long-term planning and the futuredevelopment of the Association.Subjects of discussion centred on <strong>AEGEE</strong>'s projects andactivities for the coming months. The revised proposal of theFind <strong>Europe</strong> Project was discussed once again and voted on,attracting a lot of new people to the project team. AnotherAniko Vass, former CD (<strong>AEGEE</strong>-Delft)gora Zaragoza? Not as warm asAone could expect. And manysandwiches. I had a fever too, so Imissed the most importantSaturday afternoon with all thecandidatures. But well ... Spaingenerally has a certain bewitchedcharm, and so do the Agoras.Leaving the CD behind, enriched emotionally and inexperience, however, eventuate in heavy-heartedness.Zaragoza brought about my time to say good-bye, toleave Brussels and the friends behind and to succumbto the natural course of live: move on to live in thecharm that captured me under the Dutch summer sun.discussed the practical prospects of<strong>AEGEE</strong> development. The participantsevaluated the <strong>2003</strong> Yearplanproject "Youth and Globalisation"and discussed the details of the<strong>2004</strong> Yearplan project: "<strong>Europe</strong>anIdentity".The PM became also a starting pointfor another project initiated within<strong>AEGEE</strong>: "Immigrants andRefugees", which focuses on theconsequences of migration in<strong>Europe</strong>an societies.The participants had a chance notonly to work hard but also to enjoy the richness of attractionsthe organisers prepared. "With its culture, traditions, history,warmth, hospitality and beautiful landscape, Cyprus isunique in many aspects," explained the organisers, “and thatis why these couple of days spent in Magusa were an unforgettableexperience for our guests”.proposal dealt with creating the Liaison Office, setting itsgoals, and making it more organised and co-ordinated. TheYearplan Topic <strong>Europe</strong>an Identity for the year <strong>2004</strong> was alsodiscussed, and new ideas about its implementation weregenerated. Another significant aspect of the Agora agendawas marked by the elections for the <strong>Europe</strong>an representatives:members of commissions, boards of working groups,and the <strong>Europe</strong>an Board of Directors (Comite Directeur).During such events it is easy to notice that the members of<strong>AEGEE</strong> change and <strong>AEGEE</strong> spirit and people's motives forjoining the association change as well.In order to make the Agora in Zaragoza happen, eighty<strong>AEGEE</strong> members dedicated an entire week of their time toensure the success of the event. However, the preparations,such as fundraising, contacts with institutions and logisticalplanning, had already taken a whole year. During the eventitself organisers were seen waking up at 7 am, preparingbreakfast, going to work at the registration desk, then cleaningthe hall, moving right afterwards to the lunch preparationteam, resting for less than 2 hours, then coming backto prepare dinner, and after all that, still joining the partyand having fun with their friends from all around <strong>Europe</strong>.David Barco, the local co-ordinator of the Agora, waspleased. "Despite some organizational difficulties, we havedone an extremely rewarding and satisfying job. We havedone something that most people of <strong>AEGEE</strong> haven't had achance to do," he explained. "There is one reason above allwhy I’m happy that I took part in the organisation of thisevent. Now I have no problems answering when somebodyasks me about the <strong>AEGEE</strong> spirit".What <strong>AEGEE</strong> means to me Focus on training Fields of action What is <strong>AEGEE</strong>? Introduction22 <strong>Key</strong> to <strong>Europe</strong> <strong>2003</strong>/<strong>2004</strong> <strong>Key</strong> to <strong>Europe</strong> <strong>2003</strong>/<strong>2004</strong>23
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