From the 28th until the 30th of May AEGEE-Osnabrück will welcome 45 enthusiastic AEGEEans to participate in their Network Meeting (NWM). Besides a great social program, including a European Night, the participants will also discuss topics like Europtimism. Dorothea Donges, main organiser, tells us more about their plans!
The AEGEEan: Can you tell us a bit more about your local first? How many members do you have and what kind of activities do you organise?
Dorothea: We are a relatively small local with around 35 members, but we have managed to increase our numbers by one-third this year in comparison to last year and we are continuing to grow. We are very active, which became visible on the European level when ten of our members went to the last Autumn Agora in Cagliari. One of our main activities is to organize several events for the Erasmus and International students throughout the year. Furthermore, we are planning several great events for the network this year in cooperation with many external partners.
What is the main reason for your local to organize this Network Meeting?
After the last Network Meeting that took place in Osnabrück in 2008, we are motivated to organise yet another big content-based event. In the last few years we focused mainly on Summer Universities and local events. In addition we are happy to be able to offer a platform for discussion and exchange, which we consider one of the core elements of Network Meetings. We are ready to realize this special project with an amazing team here in Osnabrück!
What are your plans for the Network Meeting? What is the main topic?
Apart from the main content of Network Meetings concerning internal organisational topics within AEGEE, we have created a program including several political aspects to motivate participants to rethink their position within Europe. We are planning a great selection of workshops ranging from topics on AEGEE’s advocacy to Europtimism, combined with a great social program in the “city of peace” of Osnabrück. Additionally, we have planned a panel discussion on the topic Rethink your position – European Identity between regionalism and the idea of the United States of Europe.
Why is this Network Meeting interesting for the network?
As mentioned before, this Network Meeting will offer an extraordinary mix of activities concerning internal AEGEE aspects and a political view of AEGEE and Europe today. Therefore it is an ideal platform for exchange between AEGEEans. Not only AEGEEans from our network area, but from all over Europe.
Do you have any plans for the social program?
Our Network Meeting will start with some icebreaking games to make sure that from the first moment we have the best group spirit to start our event. We have planned a city tour in Osnabrück as well as two parties, one of which will be specifically organised for the Network Meeting in a local club. In addition we will be visiting some typical German bars and as you know: every European Event needs a great European Night! We also want to give the participants a longer afternoon break on Saturday in which they can either join us to discover a bit more of Osnabrück or head out on their own.
Who will join the Network Meeting from the Comité Directeur?
Paul Smits, President of AEGEE Europe, will join this NWM.
Who do you have on your organising team?
Andrea Schmelz as Network Commissioner, Carolin Heere and me as Main Organisers, Esther Hillmer as Incoming Responsible, Jan-Hendrik Meyer as Treasurer, Sebastian Röhrich and Svetlana Danchenko as PR Responsibles, Julia Bock as Fundraising Responsible and Greta von Elsner and Rosangel Segovia as Social Program Responsibles.
Are you planning to organise any other great event?
Whilst AEGEE- Europe is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, AEGEE- Osnabrück is having its 25th birthday celebration. For this purpose we are inviting all of our former members and any interested AEGEEans to join us for a day of reconnecting, discussing and celebrating on the 27th of June. In August we are organising a Summer University together with AEGEE- Köln under the motto The PurSUit of happiness! Adventure. Culture. Now. And of course you are all welcome to join our many great and fun local activities!
And last, but not least: why should we apply for your NWM?
The organising team, the board and all the embers of AEGEE Osnabrück are already very excited to welcome you to our beautiful city in May. Don’t miss the chance to participate in such a great and special program and to meet all of us in person. Still any doubts? Rethink your position!
Written by Wietske Jousma, AEGEE-Enschede