“Regardless of your experience or knowledge, Agora should be a place where you can learn about the true size and scale of AEGEE” ~ Niek Lange

In this article you can find out more about AEGEE-Eindhoven and AEGEE-Tilburg’s member, Niek Lange, who is running for Chair/Vice-chair person. If you are curious about what his plans are for upcoming Agoras, don’t hesitate to click on this article! 

Hey, for starters, could you introduce yourself to your fellow AEGEEans? How long have you been a member of AEGEE, which antenna(s) have you joined and what are your best memories with AEGEE?

My name is Niek, I am a member of AEGEE-Eindhoven and AEGEE-Tilburg, and I am applying for the role of Chair/Vice-chair person of the Agora. I’m an enthusiastic student of Sustainable Innovation Sciences, as well as a dedicated board member of the student political fraction of our university. 

I joined AEGEE in 2018 just after starting my studies, and I have never once regretted that choice. Inspired by the stories of traveling, I signed up and some of my best memories are on AEGEE-trips. The first trip when we were ice-skating in Aachen, the cute cat at the hostel in Skopje, the gossip box during the SU in Zagreb. They all are engrained. But what makes all the memories so memorable is the amazing people you meet along the way. 

You are applying for the position of Chairperson/Vice-Chairperson of the Agora. What made you choose this position and why do you think you are suited for the job? 

The thought has been playing in my mind for a long time but this Agora I was finally in the right place to hand in an application for Chair/Vice-Chair person of the Agora. Shortly after joining AEGEE, I had the opportunity to attend Agora Bucuresti 2019 as a delegate, and ever since, it has been my favourite event within AEGEE. I have worked alongside the chair team in different capacities during different Agorae, through which I slowly gained knowledge on the different aspects of the event. And the more I learned, the more I was also able to critically reflect on the event itself. 

We have gotten a long way since the first online Agora two years ago. Many of us are accustomed to the new way of doing things, and I find it admirable that previous Chair teams have gotten so far in moving this event online. I want to keep building upon this experience, especially in the field of communication and preparation. My focus will be on engaging everyone, so that we can all contribute and start doing more for our association. Regardless of your experience or knowledge, Agora should be a place where you can learn about the true size and scale of AEGEE.  We will have to approach the event with an open-mind, be critical, innovative, and flexible.  From the Agora fair to the European Night, from plenaries to discussions between sleeping bags, an Agora is best experienced on location. Therefore I really hope to see everyone again together in the Spring in Novi-Sad. But whatever happens, may it be online, or offline, I will always work hard to ensure the best Agora possible!