Conflict is part of our human nature. Since the very first moment our species decided to be a social one, having disagreements was something we signed up for. AEGEE, when decided to start being, signed for it too. And that is because its definition of a “democratic, diverse and borderless Europe”; well, it’s easier said than done. AEGEE integrates people from over 40 different countries, and conflict, well, is inevitable. Disputes happen and some mediation is needed. This is where the Mediation Commission (MedCom) members are a crucial asset of our association. Our hidden conflict-solvers, to which someone might be joining in this out-of-the-ordinary Spring Agora 2020. Meet Marlijn Mulder, candidate for the Mediation Commission!
Of course, thank you first of all, Marlijn Mulder, for having us and answering our questions! Let’s hear a little more about you.
Hi, I am Marlijn, 24 y/o, from Delft. I have been in AEGEE for about 4 years now and have been active in European Events from the EPM Yerevan in 2018. I am trying to finish my bachelors in philosophy right now and I hope to start my master’s in September on Public Governance. My favourite thing to do is read books and to cook, next to that I also love travelling, especially long train rides are my favourite. Random fact: I love second hand shopping: It is my go to if I need something.
I’ve done a lot of things on local level, I’ve been on the board of my local together with my great fellow board members that I call now my friends, organized the ‘Week of Europe’ with a great team, I’ve been in the introduction week committee for three years, and I have co-organized the European School on Leadership last November. Next to that I’ve been educated as a Safe Person in Tbilisi in April last year and have been a Safe Person in different events, including EPM Barcelona. Well, that’s enough about me I think haha.
What made you want to apply to be a member of the MedCom? Are you, what do you call it,… a harmony-seeker?
Haha, good question, maybe I am a harmony-seeker, but I think most of all I am a human being that likes to help. Besides that, I have been a Safe Person for over a year now and that has taught me a lot about cultural differences. So, I am also interested in how to solve conflicts with that in mind. Thereby I am a very experienced member on a local level and would like to take that experience to the European Level, working in an international team, having contact with a lot of different people and wanting to learn more about mediation, all our extra motivations to join the Mediation Commission.
Members of this commission are normally chosen in the Autumn Agora. For you to apply on the Spring one, what consequences would it have when it comes to the duration of your membership?
That is true, but because there were not enough members at the Autumn Agora, and because the MedCom can only be elected, there are also elections at this Spring Agora. This means that the term I am candidating for will be till the 30th of November, so it is a mid-term candidature.
What do you expect your belonging to the commission would be like if you are chosen as a member this June?
I expect a lot of digital meetings in the current situations with Covid-19 and because communication seems to me the most important for being a good member of this commission. Apart from that I hope to also work closely with CD, JC and the Safe Person Core Team to embed the safe person project in AEGEE for the future. I of course also expect to have a lot of fun and to learn a lot!
When one joins something is because he/she feels there are things he/she can do, improve, bring to it… What would it be in your case?
In my board year (2018-2019) I’ve learned a few things, first, communication is key, like the key to Europe (winks). Secondly, to keep an eye on the big picture and not to be overwhelmed by the daily tasks. So, I will bring these experiences to the MedCom team. Because I have been a Safe Person at different events, I also know what it is like to be a Safe Person and what can be experienced by having that function. I think this is also an important experience for what I want to achieve.
This year’s Agora is quite special, right? What are your expectations for the online event?
Yes, it is. I expect a lot of awkward silences as in every online meeting, but I also expect people to stay more on topic then general. And I think there will be a lot of ‘side’ discussions going on in different chats, such as the Telegram or other channels people are using these days. Simply because you cannot just talk to someone in between prytannia and during plenary (sorry Chair Team for doing that). But these are all minor things that are no one to blame for. In the end, I think the Chair Team, JC and CD have put hard work to make this possible and I am very grateful for that and I hope it to be a success!
We really hope the Agora to be just that too, as well as that this harmony-seeker-human-being-who-likes-to-help-people-candidate’s wish to become a member of MedCom turns into reality. The best of the luck to you Marlijn!