Network Meeting in Kiel

Article posted: 22.11.06

Konstantin Zagaynov

24-26 November 2006, AEGEE’s Fall Network Meeting took place in Kiel.

Network Commission of AEGEE

I arrived in Kiel at 20:30 directly from Hamburg Airport. Actually, I arrived right in time. Just after that we started ice-breaking games and European Night. Basically there were around 30 participants. The biggest crew was representing Hamburg (8-9 people), organizing group from Kiel consisted of 6, Copenhagen and Enschede were represented by network commissioners Adnan and Vincent. Other represented antennas: Turku, Helsinki, Torino, Prague, Rotterdam, Vilnius and Valencia. This already shows wide geography and explains new strategy of Network Meetings, which welcome everybody from any part of Europe.

AEGEE without regions

The serious part was opened by an introductory workshop about the new model of “AEGEE without Regions” by Adnan Saran. Sure, most of us know what it is about but let me summarize: 5-6 years ago AEGEE was conditionally divided into 10 geographical regions. Two times per year antennas inside regions organized Regional Meetings to discuss problems and challenges common for their region. This summer the Network Commission presented opinion that regions are breaking Europe into parts. Some locals might identify themselves with certain region, but not with “Borderless Europe” for what AEGEE stands for. With the strong hit of Network Director’s hand “regions” were abolished from now on. Instead, there are 10 people, Network Commissioners with the list of antennae they take care of. Their tasks are to serve, help and protect those locals in all ways. So, almost the same neighborhood, the same meetings twice a year, but in a more flexible way.

Basically I’ve already seen this presentation on last Agora. Like usually, this topic raised a lot of questions, and most of them were answered quite concrete but as well phrases like “yes, this is a challenge for us”, “let’s communicate and cooperate”, “let’s do our best and see” were said quite often. So, let’s see. For me, the idea is quite good but yes, needs some work and yes, has challenges to be implemented, maybe even too much of challenges. Flexibility means more options but also means a bit of chaos.

But after this workshop everybody spelled words “we are northern region” only with smile and despite this, spirit of North was still there :).

Network status update

Second workshop was by Eva Maria Held from Kiel about status of the locals, strong and week points and about past Summer Universities. I mentioned how many new active members we’ve got during this year, and mentioned about slightly missing thematical orientation. And this was the common problem for all antennas! On this workshop I felt especially proud of my antenna. WE’RE DOING GOOD! I didn’t have to complain, really!

Brainstorming

Then arrived Gunnar Erth. Gunnar was leading two brainstorming sessions, where we acted in groups. On Saturday it was about LTC (Local Training Course), which is the thing we might do in next cottage weekend. Each group drafted agenda for their LTC. I liked two ideas from other groups: LTC about web-site design and having workshops about making party! Making party is a very important component, and also requires skills, strategy and experience.

Sunday morning we drafted a Year Activity plan of our imaginary antennas. Plan of my group was quite similar to what we do here, and as result all months were filled with something with logic behind, and this plan Gunnar regarded as an ambitious one!

Practical arrangements and social program

That was all about main content. Now about the relaxing part. We were living in quite luxurious place with own private rooms and facilities for everybody, workshops in the same place, good food for breakfasts and lunches and even internet connection I’ve heard also was available.

And Saturday night was unforgettable. We were in a typical German brewery with huge wooden tables, German music and wooden 15-litres barrels of beer mounted to each table. As far as I remember, we did two and a half. Soon we were already dancing on chairs and singing “Hamburg, meine Perle..” and “Anna mulle piiskaa” That was one of the best AEGEE parties ever. Sorry, you weren’t there.

Vielen dank, Kiel!