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AEGEE – European Student’s Forum (Association des Etats Généraux des Etudiants de l’Europe) is one of the biggest students’ organizations in Europe. It was established in 1985 in Paris. It consists of about 15 thousand members, students of all majors and faculties – associated in 240 local branches (called antennae) spread around the continent (from Helsinki to Ankara, from Moscow to Barcelona) AEGEE is an abbreviation of french Association des Etats Généraux des Etudiants de l’Europe. It can be simultaneously linked to the birthplace of democracy, the surroundings of Aegean Sea, as well as to the name of the first parliament after the French Revolution, Les Etats Généraux. It is an organization of a non-profit type, not connected with any political structure. Aims The activity of AEGEE is focused on promoting the idea of united Europe, supporting contacts and cooperation between students of various countries and developing a broad-minded and tolerant society. It is realized in four main areas of interest, to which belong: higher education, active European citizenship, peace and stability, and cultural exchanges. The goals are achevied by organizing and participating in: - intranational and international conferences - students’ exchanges - trainings, among others from the fields of public relations, project management and fund raising - Summer Universities – 2-weeks-long summer camps for students (AEGEE members from the whole Europe) - Language courses - Case Study Trips. History AEGEE was established in 1985 in Paris as a forum of discussion among young people. The topic was revolving aroud the future of Europe, and AEGEE itself gave an opportunity for the members of the European Commonwealth and the national governments to present their opinions. In 1986 a specific structure of the organization was constructed – AEGEE did not have the national branch. Local antennae were established in following academic cities of the Western part of our continent. In 1989 AEGEE, adjusting to the occuring political changes, started to accept Middle-Eastern European students. In 1996 the headquarters of the organization was located in Brussels. Structure AEGEE is an organization which does not have a national office. Local branches, called antennae (241 of them are registered currently) are assigned to regions, by which the whole area of the organization’s activities was divided. Polish antennae are placed in Central Region in which the neighbour countries’ branches are also located. Comite Directeur is a European management board. It has its headquarters in Brussels and coordinates the actions of anennae. It administers and represents AEGEE, hence it is responsible for contacts with the institutions of the European Union and the European Council. AGORA Two times a year the representatives of all local branches meet in one of the cities of our continent on a cardinal conference called Agora. It is the most important charter project for the reason of decisions made there. The aim of the meeting is the choice of squad of Comite Directeur, making charter decisions, establishing the goals for future. Roughly 1000 of young people participates in Agora. They come from all the European countries, from Valetta (Malta) to Moscow (Russia), from Madrid (Spain) to Izmir (Turkey). REGIONAL MEETINGS (REGMETS) Two times a year a meeting of the representatives of local branches occurs. 240 antennae forms 10 regions all over Europe. During Regmet training sessions, seminars, workshops and discussions occur. It is a place to exchange experience and to draw concepts the antennae can follow. EUROPEAN BOARD’S MEETING (EBM) This type of meeting takes place annualy. The latest date of EBM allowed by charter is 4 weeks before Spring Agora, and its aim is to prepare the content of Agora itself. During EBM a strategic plan for the Association. It is prepared by the managing board of AEGEE-Europe. AEGEE is supported by the European Comission. It has a status of the counsellor to the European Council and to the United Nations in the field of education and the educational programmes. It also cooperates with UNESCO and OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe). Our patrons are (among others) Jacques Santer, Vaclav Havel, Bronislaw Geremek, Arpad Goncz, Romano Prodi.
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