Do not be afraid, the isle is full of noises, sounds, and students, that express their delight for AEGEE. Sometimes a thousand young people in Britain will speak about Europe, and sometimes these voices will form an antenna that seems so natural that it looks like it had been awoken from a long sleep. After being founded almost half a year ago, AEGEE-Canterbury is now a full-fledged antenna. That is why the AEGEEan decided to interview Emily Zerling again, and see what has happened in these past few months.
The AEGEEan: Could you tell us something about yourself?
Emily: I’m half French and half English, so I’ve always felt very European. I’m really happy about my double nationality, because it has given me the opportunity to benefit from a double culture, and has helped me broaden my horizons.
When did you guys decide to set up a local in Canterbury?
We decided to set up a local in Canterbury almost a year ago but it took a few months before we were able to get it fully started.
AEGEE-Canterbury was officially ratified as a contact antenna about two months ago. What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome in order to achieve this goal?
I think that the most difficult obstacle to overcome was to try and find ten members, because we set up our local in Canterbury in March, which was nearly at the end of the year for students in the UK. And then we had to convince people to join us and become members during the summer and September, which wasn’t always easy. However, we managed, and I’m really glad that we have so many committed members this year, and a lovely committee on whom I can count on. So I’d like to thank them for their help again.
Of which activities or events that AEGEE-Canterbury organised are you most fond?
I really enjoyed the European dinner that we did at the beginning of term, the food was so lovely and everybody participated. It was a nice way to start the year and get to know people.
I was also very pleased with the mock referendum that we organised at our university. A lot of people came to vote, and the result was really encouraging, 82% of students in favour of the UK staying in the EU. Also, I appreciated the work that had been done preparing the event. Thank you again Roland for being in charge of organising the referendum, and James, Marlène, Emir, Rebeca, Ian, Chiara and all the others. You all did a great job!
What (kind of activities) has AEGEE-Canterbury planned for the future?
AEGEE-Canterbury will organise a student-led debate about UK membership in the EU at the beginning of December at the University of Kent, where all societies representing political parties in the UK will be debating. It is going to be interesting to see all the arguments of each political party, and it is a good way to raise awareness about the upcoming referendum and it might help people that don’t know how they should vote.
Otherwise, I hope we’ll organise events with other AEGEEans in the UK next year.
Could you tell us a bit about Euro-Optimism in Canterbury and the UK in general?
Canterbury is located in Kent, which is in the South East of England. It is a very Euro-Sceptic area, so therefore it is important to concentrate the “Yes campaign”, to stay in the EU, in this area. Students and young people are more Euro-Optimistic, so it’s not a problem for us, but we are also trying to target other groups by joining alliances with other pro EU groups, such as the East Kent European Movement, or the Young European Movement in Canterbury.
I feel that the UK in general has always seen the EU, or even the European continent, as something very distant and foreign, because it is an island. So I feel that there is a lack of European identity, which is a shame. I think it has also to do with the fact that the UK was a colonial power before and seems to think that it’s influence doesn’t have to be limited to the EU only.
How do you feel about British Prime Minister Cameron’s upcoming referendum in 2017 for Britain to leave the UK?
I don’t know if you know, but there has already been a similar referendum in 1975 with a positive result that led to the UK to stay in the EU.
So having a referendum again, before the end of 2017, has more to do with the recent rise of Euro-Scepticism, especially inside the Conservative party. I feel that it might be more of a political calculation that Cameron did in order to satisfy his own party. I think that if the result is that the UK will stay in the EU, then the EU will gain more legitimacy and more credibility for UK citizens. So this referendum can’t be such a bad idea.
Written by Willem Laurentzen, AEGEE-Nijmegen