When I took the Academy to a squat

What a week(end)!

NetAca meeting Brussels
Who would have thought that, when I proposed this meeting a couple of months ago, not only it would have encountered big enthusiasm, but it would have actually taken place, in such a short time?
13-14 August 2009, the first 'real' NetCom + Academy meeting outside Agorae I have notice of. We discussed the outcomes of the NetCom meeting related to training needs, coming up with a number of new projects.
The main ones: new concept for ES1, crowdsourcing database, regional trainings, renewing the pool of trainers, furthening the already established LTC coordination.

Academy Board Meeting Paris
Unexpectadly, last minute problems with lodging came up, so we all had to search for a plan B. My friends in Paris were all out of town, no clue who could host us. "The only thing that comes to my mind" - said my friend Giovanni - is an artists squat, but I don't know, the level of cleanness was not properly fabulous, as far as I remember...". No precarious hygenic conditions whatsoever can scare out a CD house habitue', I thought, and got in touch with 'the artists'. Not only they accepted to host me, but extended the invitation to all of us. What a surprise, when we had a room dedicated to us (with AEGEE on the door!), when the last floor had a huge (former) conference room which we used for the meeting, when the terrace on the roof opened itself to Paris and the stars.
And yes, we did also work, a lot.

It's incredible to witness this whole new stream of openness and cooperation built throughout the year, but most of all in the last months. It feels like finally we are all on the same line - assessing what our members need and how are we going to provide the knowledge to them comes so natural and easy.

the Squat
But let me spend a couple of words on our lovely lodging place and the people who hosted us.
Since, if I am inspired as I am now, I owe it to them as well.
Kinda - the violinist, singing along with her on the bridges of the Seine remains my most liberating experience of the weekend
Tom - the IT artist, who built the infrastracture and connected to squat to the outer world (and thus with us as well)
Nathan - who walks on the wire (not that high - he says - only 10 meters from the ground)
the White Bearded Man - who "was born 82 years ago in Brooklyn, and from then it's a long story..."
And Soraya, and Merat, and the Lady Writer... - to you all guys, an enormous thank you!

Network Meeting Vilnius

Just before the Agora I attended the NWM in Vilnius as the CD representative. 15 participants who wanted to develop their competencies on training and learn more about AEGEE met in Vilnius, where the Network Commission and AEGEE-Vilnius were organising Autumn Network Meeting "Meet the Network!".

In three days the participants and trainers took part in workshops about AEGEE in general, Project management and our European bodies. Through group work, case studies and theoretical presentations participants improved the most important skills of running an AEGEE antenna. During the second day we asked the participants to show their theoretical skills in the practical part, called "PR action in the streets", where they and also us were approaching Lithuanian youth, telling them about AEGEE and asking for their emails for follow-up and joining AEGEE.

In the social part of the Network Meeting the organisers took us to know the most beautiful parts of Vilnius, told us about their countries and cultures. The participants went outside in the night around the city and of course tried to integrate better with the lovely capital of Lithuania, Vilnius.

This NWM helped especially Baltic locals to integrate better and supported to a more open and friendly environment between themselves. Also this was a good experience for AEGEE-Vilnius, organizing such an important event on European level.. As well as these, I had the chance to talk to Maria Morozova from PRWG , Konstantin from VF WG, Anita from NetCom and Alicja from ITWG.

I would like to thank Anita Kalmane for her contribution in this article.

NetMetSanPet

Красуйся, град Петров!

Last weekend Peter the Great's magnificent city hosted the first Network Meeting of the term!
Participants from Russia, Ukraine, Finland and even Slovakia took part in the event.
Through the lectures and workshops - delivered, among the others, by the Network Commission, the Academy and the CD - many motivated fresh members got to know the association, while several found their way into their future development in AEGEE.
At least 2 concrete and ambitious plans for new international events were made. Furthermore, the founding of 3 new Contacts (2 in Russia and 1 in Ukraine) is prospected in the near future.
And... new friendships are born!
Long life to AEGEE-Sankt Petersburg and to the marvellous people who made all this possible! To those who built step by step a big local with astonishing variety and potential and to those who are filling it with new energy every day. To you my friends.

Друзья мои, прекрасен наш союз!
Он, как душа, неразделим и вечен —
Неколебим, свободен и беспечен
Срастался он под сенью дружных муз.