Association des États Généraux des Étudiants de l'Europe

European Students' Forum
Association des États Généraux des Étudiants de l'Europe

Logo of AEGEE-Europe
Map of the AEGEE Network
Abbreviation	AEGEE-Europe
Motto	Some call it Europe, but we call it home.
Formation	1985
Type	Network for European students
Headquarters	Brussels, Belgium
Location	Europe
Membership	13,000
Official language	English (working language)
President	Réka Salamon
Key people	Katarzyna Sokołowska, Zvonimir Canjuga, Maarten de Groot, Joanna Pankowska, Evangelia Touska, Tekla Hajdu
Affiliations	European Youth Forum, European Movement International, European Civil Society Platform for lifelong Learning, European Civic Forum, Informal Forum of International Student Organizations, Council of Europe (participatory status)
Staff	10 (7 in the European board + 3 staff)

AEGEE, stands for Association des États Généraux des Étudiants de l'Europe, and it is known as European Students' Forum in English. It is the largest trans-national, interdisciplinary student organisation in Europe.

Established in 1985, AEGEE currently has around 13,000 members^[1] more than 200 local groups (Antennae)^[1] in university cities across Europe, including Russia, Turkey and the Caucasus, with a European board and head office in Brussels. It promotes an equal, democratic and unified Europe, open to all across national borders. Several hundred conferences, training and cultural events are organised across the network every year, and AEGEE also advocates for the needs and interests of European students.

The short name "AEGEE" evokes the Aegean sea, one of the birthplaces of democracy, and the full name includes the first parliament established during the France, the États Généraux.^[2]

Structure

AEGEE has a yearly elected European board, the Comité Directeur[^[3] with a head office in Brussels, and a number of European-level working groups.^[4] There is a lot a network of autonomous local groups, the antennae. Active members meet twice a year in Spring and Autumn in a general assembly called Agora, hosted by a different antenna each time. Most candidates for positions at the European level are elected at the Agora, which also ratifies the establishment or deletion of antennae, working groups and projects. There is also a smaller annual European Planning Meeting (EPM), intended to develop projects and campaigns and usually held in late winter: During the EPM, AEGEE also works on developing its Strategic Plan in an Action Agenda for the whole AEGEE network.

The association has no national level, and it does not recognise the current national borders within Europe.

Antennae are supported by the Network Commission, a group of experienced members elected by the Agora to help the network grow and develop. They provide advice, training and practical help, especially with local human resources and event organisation. Each Network Commissioner has responsibility for a number of locals across several national borders, which can be reorganised at each Agora to prevent the creation of any fixed national or regional division.

Each city antenna is a separate legal person under its own local law, not under the direct control of the Comité Directeur. However, to become a part of the AEGEE network, prospective antennae must include the principles of AEGEE's statute within their own, and have them approved by the Comité Directeur and Juridical Commission. They sign a contract called Convention d’Adhésion which allows AEGEE to have an antenna wound up in case of inactivity or serious misconduct.

Membership of an antenna is generally open to anyone younger than 30 living in the local area, upon payment of a membership fee set by the local board. Many antennae concentrate their promotional activities on students at their home university, and are not very visible to outsiders.

Most AEGEE events are open to non-members, however this tends to be poorly promoted except to local students. It is quite common for all participants to be from the host city or other AEGEE antennae. Some activities, most notably the statutory Agorae and EPMs and the Summer University project, are explicitly restricted to AEGEE members who must be approved by their home antenna's board.

AEGEE was founded in France and still uses a number of French terms, but the main working language at European level is now English. The official languages of the Agora are English and French. Most antennae use their own local language for their local activities, however local board members generally need a working knowledge of English.

Affiliations and platforms

AEGEE-Europe is involved in bigger platforms and works with many other international institutions and organizations, in order to bring a students perspective to each one of the processes.

AEGEE-Europe is a full member of the European Youth Forum. AEGEE has had 2 representatives in its history in the Board of Directors of European Youth Forum.

AEGEE-Europe is also full member of the European Movement International (EMI).

AEGEE-Europe is also a full member in the European Civil Society Platform for lifelong Learning (EUCIS-LLL).

AEGEE-Europe was founding member and currently board members of the European Civic Forum (ECF). AEGEE-Europe has been in the board of the ECF several terms, always represented by the President of AEGEE-Europe.

AEGEE-Europe works closely inside the Council of Europe. In 2013 AEGEE was elected to be part of the Advisory Council on Youth of the Council of Europe. AEGEE is also involved in the Conference of INGOs and works closely with the Youth Department and the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe.

AEGEE-Europe has consultative status at the United Nations, working closely with UNESCO, ECOSOC, UNEP, UNFPA, UNDP and other agencies and bodies.

AEGEE-Europe works with the World Bank, the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) and the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe).

AEGEE-Europe is a member of IFISO (Informal Forum of International Student Organizations).

History

1985 

The association was born the 16 April 1985 as a result of the EGEE 1 conference (États Généraux des Étudiants de l’Europe), when it held its first event in Paris: an assembly of students from Paris, Leiden, London, Madrid, Milan and Munich, organised by founding president Franck Biancheri in cooperation with five Grandes Écoles in Paris. It had the aim to overcome the paralysis of the European integration process at the time. Franck Biancheri led the whole process and soon all students involved wanted to turn the EGEE conference into an organisation being the platform for young Europeans. The aim of the founders was to create a space for young Europeans to discuss European matters and present their ideas to both the European and national institutions.

Due to the uniqueness of the idea at that time, EGEE was able to stimulate many students to establish antennae in their cities.

1986 

Three EGEE working groups were formed: Sponsoring, Traineeships and Language Study.

EGEE hosts a conference on cross-border developments in Nijmegen.

By the start of the academic year, EGEE has 26 branches and 6,000 members.

EGEE organizes in Heidelberg, a conference on relations between the Far East and Europe.

EGEE organizes in Toulouse, the first European Space Weekend.

EGEE organizes in Paris a conference on the pharmaceutical industry in Europe..

EGEE organizes in Munich, a conference on the European Monetary System.

EGEE organizes, together with the newspaper Le Monde the Night of the 7 European cities, broadcasting political debates about the future of Europe between students and high level politicians in seven different cities

1987 

EGEE persuades French president François Mitterrand to support funding for the Erasmus programme, a student exchange program financed by the European Commission.^[5]

Unblocking the ERASMUS programme is considered as main achievement of the association and it:Domenico Lenarduzzi, Head of Education of the European Commission at the time (1984–87), confirmed in this interview^[6] The creation of the Erasmus Programme, and the role of AEGEE

1988 

The association changes its name from EGEE to AEGEE following a trademark dispute.

The Summer University Project was launched. It allows young Europeans to have an intense European experience in a city in Europe for 2 weeks, providing them with a real intercultural experience and opening them the doors to Europe.

1989 

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Agora in Salerno opens up AEGEE to local antennae outside the European Community, making it one of the first European organisations to expand beyond the old Iron Curtain.

Leipzig becomes the first local beyond the Iron Curtain

AEGEE organizes the first European Moot Court Competition on Human Rights for Law students to train themselves in Model law cases, fostering their skills for the futures.

Franck Biancheri, receives the Honorary Member award of AEGEE-Europe and becomes Honorary president.

1990 

Les Anciens d'AEGEE-Europe is founded during the EGEE VI meeting in Paris.^[7]

A new AEGEE logo is released, representing "Your Key to Europe".

1991 

The first European School 1 training is organized in Madrid

1992 

İstanbul has joined the network as the first Turkish antenna.

AEGEE gets consultative status at the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe)

1993 

AEGEE gets official NGO status in the Council of Europe (CoE).

Georg von der Gablentz, receives the Honorary Membership of AEGEE-Europe for his work with the "East-West WG" and his initiatives to open AEGEE to Central and Eastern Europe.

Vittorio Dell’Aquila, receives the Honorary Membership of AEGEE-Europe for his contribution to the development of the Summer University project.

Jeroen Hoogerwerf, receives the Honorary Membership of AEGEE-Europe for his extense contribution to the Network through many of his positions.

Michael Merker, receives the Honorary Membership of AEGEE-Europe for his involvement in the expansion of AEGEE to the East and founding the first local over the Iron Curtain.

1994 

AEGEE develops its first website.

1995 

Ankara and later several other Turkish antennae join the network.

10 anniversary of AEGEE´s foundation.

AEGEE strongly advocates against nuclear tests in Europe.

Zsuzsa Kigyos, receives the Honorary Membership of AEGEE-Europe for her role in establishing AEGEE in Central Eastern Europe, and being the first female president of AEGEE-Europe.

1996 

More than 1000 students are actively involved in the conference series Find Your Way... explaining what students can do in the emerging civil society in Central and Eastern Europe.

AEGEE moves its head office from Delft, to Brussels

Philipp von Klitzing, receives the Honorary Membership of AEGEE-Europe for introducing the strategic planning to the Network and his endless support in the management of the IT infrastructure.

1997 

AEGEE organises its first visit to Cyprus. Following this, in 2001 an antenna is created in Mağusa.

AEGEE carried out its Socrates Project contributing to improving all the student mobility initiatives in Europe

Launch of Europe and Euro project in 1997, raising awareness of the new European currency five years before its introduction.

David Stulik becomes the first Young European of the Year, an award given by the Heinz-Schwarzkopf Foundation for his active engagement in AEGEE in building a better Europe through volunteer projects.

AEGEE organizes first case study trip to Moldova and through Former Yugoslavia

AEGEE become candidate member organization of the European Youth Forum.

1998 

AEGEE organizes a Case Study trip to Transilvania

AEGEE becomes full Member Organization of the European Youth Forum

1999 

Foundation of the AEGEE-Academy for training and human resources at Agora-Barcelona, prompted by preparations for the European School in Gießen

AEGEE organizes its Peace Academy dealing with the topics of conflict in Spain, Northern Ireland, Kosovo, South Africa and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Stefan Recksiegel, receives the Honorary Membership from AEGEE-Europe for innovating and developing instrumentally AEGEE’s IT infrastructure.

2000 

"Education for Democracy", a new scholarship programme helping students from war-shattered Kosovo to study at universities abroad.

During the autumn, AEGEE-Beograd members took part in the public assembly that learns of Milosevic's defeat.

AEGEE launches EURECA, a contribution to the design of a new educational programme for the enlarging European Union

2001 

AEGEE organises several major projects focusing on peace and stability in southeastern Europe and the Mediterranean region under the Education for Democracy project.

Oana Daciana, wins the Young European of the Year award by the Heinz-Schwarzkopf Foundation for her engagement in bringing Europe closer for young people from the Eastern European countries.

Markus Schonherr, receives the Honorary Membership of AEGEE-Europe for his activities in Central and Eastern Europe, Case study trips to Moldova and his work to abolish visa in Europe.

2002 

AEGEE launches one of the biggest and most successful projects: the Turkish-Greek Civic Dialogue between 2002 and 2005. With the establishment of AEGEE locals in Turkey in the 1990s, AEGEE realized the necessity of establishing a dialogue between the neighbors in conflict. Based on its own experience and the tense relations between Turkish and Greek AEGEE members in those first days, AEGEE focused its activities on peace-building between two countries as an organisation acting for peace and stability, proving at the AEGEE scale that cooperation was possible and that the dialogue between people can happen much more easily that the dialogue between the political level.

Launch of AEGEE-Television by AEGEE-Eindhoven.^[8]

Michiel Van Hees, receives the Honorary Membership award of AEGEE-Europe for his long contribution to AEGEE and his role in the projects Find Your Way and Europe and the Euro.

2003 

AEGEE launches Discussing Bologna Process project getting ready for the start of the harmonization of higher education in Europe and bringing a strong student perspective to it

AEGEE's first study trip to the Caucasus.^[9]

AEGEE organises the first international student conference in the buffer zone on Cyprus.^[10]

AEGEE launches its EU and Europe project.

AEGEE becomes formal member of the European Movement International (EMI).

2004 

AEGEE starts a dialogue with the new neighbours of the enlarged EU in its project Europe & EU, conducted by the International Politics Working Group

AEGEE opens its first local branch in Georgia, in Tiblisi.

Anan Jahangirl, wins the Young European of the Year award, given by the Heinz-Schwarzkopf Foundation for his commitments of bringing the European Integration process to young people in Azerbaijan.

2005 

AEGEE celebrates its 20th anniversary in Prague and publishes a special edition of its "Key to Europe".^[11]

AEGEE is one of the founding NGOs and becomes member organization of the European Civil Society Platform for Lifelong Learning (EUCIS-LLL).

Olivier Genking, receives the Honorary Membership of AEGEE-Europe for his involvement in the EU & Europe project, his role in establishing many new locals, creating new projects and constant support to the Network.

2006 

AEGEE starts a campaign to include the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) in the Treaty of Lissabon, and conducts several Election Observation Missions as part of its Flagship Project Take Control! - ways to democracy in Europe

AEGEE launches its Youth Globalization project, getting young people closer the global frameworks of youth and cooperation and development.

AEGEE launches its The BRIDGE- Connecting Mobility and Disability project, dealing with the mobility problem of disabled youth

AEGEE launches its Take Control project, organizing a series of training events, conferences, political campaigns, educational and media activities all intended to increase the involvement and engagement of young people in the (European) political process.

Burcu Bercemen, received the Young European of the Year award, given by the Heinz-Schwarzkopf Foundation for he commitment in AEGEE’s Turkish-Greek Civic Dialogue.

Gunnar Erth, receives the Honorary Membership of AEGEE-Europe, for his contribution to the development of AEGEE’s annual publications

2007 

AEGEE organised the simulation Model European Union in the premises of the 'European Parliament in Strasbourg.

AEGEE chairs the IFISO Presidency and organises a stakeholder meeting with the European Commission. The Leadership Summerschool (LSS) is born.

AEGEE plays an instrumental role in enlarging the Erasmus programme to Turkey, thanks to the work of 7 different generations in AEGEE-Ankara.

2008 

AEGEE launches Y Vote 2009 - European Youth Choice to encourage voting for young people

The project Sustaining our Future becomes National winner of the European Charlemagne Youth Prize Award for the Netherlands.

AEGEE launches its project YOUrope Needs YOU!!!, empowering high school students around the continent to take active part in Europe.

Tamuna Kekenadze, receives the Young European of the Year award, given by the Heinz-Schwarzkopf Foundation.

2009 

AEGEE wins 1st place in the European Charlemagne Youth Prize for its project YOUrope Needs YOU!!!

Y Vote 2009 becomes National winner of the European Charlemagne Youth Prize award for Greece.

AEGEE introduces the Study & Career Fairs during the General Assemblies Agora

Silvia Baita, receives the Honorary Membership of AEGEE-Europe, for being a prime example of female leadership for many years.

Kamala Schutze, receives the Honorary Membership of AEGEE-Europe, for her long term devotion to the Summer University project of AEGEE.

AEGEE adopts Beyond Europe: Perspectives for Tomorrow's World as flagship Project for 2009–11, with Case-study trips to India and South Africa and a focus on the role of Europe in the Global challenges, with special attention to the Millennium Development Goals.

2010 

AEGEE organises The UN Millennium Development Goals Conference within the framework of the project Beyond Europe Perspectives for Tomorrow's World

AEGEE becomes partner organisation of BEST (Board of European Students of Technology).^[12]

AEGEE launches the Where Does Europe End? Project

AEGEE launches its Youth Unemployment Project

AEGEE gets involved in the Structured Dialogue process on Youth of the European Union.

2011 

AEGEE initiates the Eastern Partnership Project to give youth a voice and to strengthen civil society in the wider neighbourhood countries.

The AEGEEan^[13] the online magazine of AEGEE-Europe is launched.

AEGEE is one of the founding organizations of the European Year of Volunteering Alliance 2011.

AEGEE launches together with YEU (Youth for Exchange and Understanding) the New Media Summer School (NMSS) project connecting young people to the EuroDIG conference and the topic of Internet Governance.

AEGEE re-defines the concept of European Boards’ Meeting into a thematic conference.

2012 

AEGEE launches its project Europe on Track, sending ambassadors by train all over Europe to gather the opinion of the European Youth on the future they want for the continent.

AEGEE launches its project Health 4 Youth aiming at providing information about health to students to allow them to take informed decisions about their lifestyle.

AEGEE launches its project Europe in Exchange aiming to enhance the mobility possibilities of the European youth.

AEGEE launches its EuroArab project, creating bridges between young people from Europe and the Arab countries.

AEGEE and YEU (Youth for Exchange and Understanding) launch the COY (Certification of Competences of Youth Workers) Project, funded by the European Commission.

AEGEE carries out a big advocacy campaign with other youth NGOs and the European Youth Forum for the new Education, youth and Sport programme of the European Commission (Erasmus +)

AEGEE is elected for the Board of the European Youth Forum (YFJ).

Burcu Bercemen, receives the Honorary Membership of AEGEE-Europe for the devotion to the AEGEE Network and her extraordinary performance with the Turkish-Greek Civic Dialogue project

2013 

AEGEE introduces a new Visual Identity with the current logo.

AEGEE wins 1st place in the European Charlemagne Youth Prize for its project Europe on Track

AEGEE launches the EurStory project dealing with analysis of the history textbooks around Europe

AEGEE launches the Y Vote 2014' campaign encouraging students to go and vote in the European Parliament Elections of 2014

2017

Presidents of AEGEE so far

See also

• Les Anciens d'AEGEE-Europe
• One Europe Magazine

References