Gizem has been a member of AEGEE-Ankara for years, now is living in the head office of AEGEE and working on various things. Recently, as you all might predict, most of her time is spent on EBM preparations. Among all the work she spared her time to share with us more information about upcoming EBM, how her life is going in Brussels and plans for New Years Eve…
Gizem, you have been living in Brussels for almost 4 months now, what are your impressions on your new life?
It is literally fast and furious… I have realised that I haven’t had time to think how my new life is, how I do feel, till a friend asked me lately. My first response was of course all about my tasks and AEGEE ongoing and when he asked how ‘’I’’ was doing I didn’t have any answers. Although I have no life of my own, I am really happy in here; devoting myself to thematic world of us =)
So seems like you do not regret that you are dedicating more than ever for AEGEE, lovely. Assuming that recently you must be totally focused on preparations on the EBM as you are the main responsible. What do you think about new thematic approach of the EBM comparing to the past ones?
Exactly! My life is EBM oriented now. AEGEE basically stands on the shoulders of our thematic happenings that take place all around the network. New EBM concept approved by Agora Skopje can be considered as a significant step to improve the quality of the AEGEE thematic world. Unlike how it functioned so far, the EBM will provide us with a platform where we will discuss various European policies with contribution of various other NGO activists and academics and state our position about them. As AEGEE, we should have a stronger voice in policy making processes and the most essential factor in this process is having a network that is aware of what is going on around Europe. In this regard, the new EBM will allow us to go out of our comfort zone, alias cultural exchange oriented AEGEE bubble, and become what we are capable of, a strong youth voice! To be able to realise this, we will draft an Action Agenda and decide all together what AEGEE should focus on next year. This process will take place during the Action Meeting sessions of the EBM. By this time, the Action Meetings functioned as meetings where we simply approved a list of events, of which we were not so much aware. Starting from İzmir, other than just approving what is already planned, we will discuss and decide what we would like to do for realising our aims.
Good and clear points indeed! And right now you are also having an EBM meeting in the head office, can you share with us a little bit about the general content of your current EBM meeting and who are participating in it?
Yes, there was another crazy weekend in the CD house! Our chair person Yvonne Antonović, the Content Coordinator of EBM İzmir Jana Pokorná and my predecessors Thomas Leszke were here for the EBM content meeting. Additionally, Katja Behrendt and Patrick Kabasci were always available on Skype. As EBM İzmir will be the first run of the new format there was quite some methodology to be developed so that we will have a well functioning EBM. Therefore, in addition to the selection of participants, workshops and the agenda we were dealing with the methodology of the Action Meetings and the back office structure that will function as the headquarter of EBM İzmir. The meeting in general was quite fruitful, we will have the second one in January, stay tuned!
Good luck with your work and further EBM meetings :) About the number of participants, people in the network are kind of wondering why there was a restriction as 250 participants will be accepted first, but then more than the expected number of participants are selected. Any specific reason for this?
The reason why we have fewer participants than the previous EBMs is simple. As I have mentioned before, this will be the first run of the reformed EBM and we are not sure how feasible it is to organise it with so many people. Moreover, having a well functioning EBM with concrete outcomes is more important than having a crowded one. This is also the reason behind the selection procedures, as applications have been carefully evaluated by us.
Still, I am pretty sure that till the next EBM we will manage to settle all the structures and give room for more participants.
Coming to another issue, there is a new concern that EBM’s name will need a change.There had been even surveys and the network was asked for ideas. What do you think about a new name? Do you find it necessary, if yes what would be your suggestion?
It is certainly necessary! The current name does not represent the new concept, not at all. We decided to keep it for EBM İzmir in order not to hinder AEGEE-İzmir’s already running campaigns. There will be a proposal for changing the name during Agora Enschede based on the results of the survey and the discussions at the forum. What my suggestion would be is a hard question as I have nothing in mind ‘’yet’’.
So are you planning to create some suggestions on a possible new name and vote upon it or making a survey overall again in EBM İzmir?
Well, making a survey during the EBM is indeed a good idea! It is the best place to get inspired and be creative. The plan is to agree on a name and make a proposal during Enschede as the name has to be approved by the Agora.
Now skipping the EBM questions as thankfully there are quite more and more information we got from you :) coming to some more questions about your life in the head office and with your new family. Of course you are all dedicating most of your time on your work for AEGEE, but except that did you start to do something new? Like learning French or trying to cook different cusines than Turkish?
Although I have found an amazing French teacher, Kate Engels the new President of AEGEE-Brussels, CD life hasn’t allowed me to start yet. I am hopeful for the new year! Also starting from January, I will start flamenco again and I am looking forward to that! When comes to cooking, CD family seems happy with my skills =)
Good to hear that! Hope you will be able to start learning then. What are your plans for New Year? Any event you are attending or visiting home?
I will be in Turkey with my dearest friends from AEGEE-Ankara. The lyrics from a random song ”Sometimes you want to go to where everybody knows your name and they are all glad you came” in my mind, I am going home =)
Sounds awesome. As last point what are your expectations and aims for 2012? Any wishes to network? ;)
I wish all of us, all our network, will be smiling with proud, when we come to the end and look back what we have done this year!
Written by Deniz Özhan, AEGEE Izmir