AEGEE Identity Toolkit

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AEGEE Toolkit

AEGEE Identity

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INDEX

AEGEE Identity ...... 1 INDEX ...... 2 1) INTRODUCTION ...... 3 2) THE UPDATED AEGEE IDENTITY ...... 4 a. VISION ...... 4 b. MISSION ...... 4 c. MEANS ...... 5 d. STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES ...... 7 3) IMPLEMENTING THE AEGEE IDENTITY IN YOUR LOCAL .. 8 a. AEGEE Identity implemented in my local’s activities ...... 8 b. AEGEE Identity implemented in my local’s PR ...... 9 c. AEGEE Identity implemented in my local’s recruitment ..... 10 d. AEGEE Identity implemented in my AEGEE sessions ...... 11 e. Presenting AEGEE to my members (pitch) ...... 13

During Agora Zaragoza AEGEE-Europe and the whole AEGEE Network updated its identity, adapting itself to the needs of our members today, and empowering the organisation to tackle both the internal processes within AEGEE and the current situation in Europe. It was a decision for a common and unified identity which we share between each other, from local to local and member to member. This toolkit will provide you information and guidelines on how to bring this identity to your daily work in AEGEE, both in the European and local level. AEGEE’s Identity is built as a pyramid: The VISION describes the Europe we dream on, the place where we want to one day. The MISSION describes our contribution to that dream and our part in achieving this dream. The MEANS describe the concrete ways in which we implement our MISSION in our daily work. The STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES builds the foundation of our identity and describes the values we work by and for which we stand as members of AEGEE.

a. VISION

The Vision answers to the question: WHICH KIND OF EUROPE DOES AEGEE DREAM OF? AEGEE strives for a democratic, diverse and borderless Europe, which is socially, economically and politically integrated, and values the participation of young people in its construction and development.

b. MISSION

The mission answers to the question: WHAT IS AEGEE’s ROLE IN REACHING THIS VISION? AEGEE empowers students and young people in Europe to take an active role in society. It creates a space for dialogue and learning opportunities as well as acts as their representative towards decision-makers. Moreover, AEGEE strengthens mutual understanding and brings Europe closer to young people.

The means are a newly introduced element in the identity, answering to the key question: WHAT ARE THE TOOLS AEGEE USES IN ITS WORK TO ACHIEVE ITS MISSION? Means correspond to the methods we are using in the activities that our association carries out.

INTERCULTURAL EXCHANGE AEGEE creates a space for members of different backgrounds to meet and learn about cultural differences, in order to foster mutual understanding. AEGEE supports mobility and encourages young people to cross borders and make new friends, to break stereotypes and strengthen tolerance, respect and solidarity.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND NON FORMAL EDUCATION AEGEE provides learning opportunities for the development of its members through non-formal education and informal learning. By participating in trainings courses, workshops, and active involvement in the organisation, our members improve their competences (such as leadership skills, communication skills and team management) which will be useful for their future lives.

THEMATIC PROJECTS Thematic projects, either local or international, are initiatives developed by members of AEGEE. They deal with current challenges in the European society, create awareness among young people and propose solutions from a student point of view. The outcome of this work has an impact in- and outside of AEGEE.

FORUM FOR DISCUSSION AEGEE provides a space for young Europeans to discuss and exchange different points of view with a European perspective,in order to find a common ground. This exchange of ideas happens in all our activities but a special place for them is our Working groups, conferences and General Assemblies (EBM & Agora).

The Statement of Principles show our main values and are the basis of all the activities we carry out in AEGEE. They answer the question: WHAT VALUES DO WE STAND FOR?

We, the members of AEGEE, young Europeans coming from all regions of the continent, recognise that we are the future and present of our society and that our contribution to the construction of Europe is our responsibility. We come together under a common vision of a democratic, diverse and borderless Europe. We come together in AEGEE to form an open, voluntary network where we transform our ideas into actions, develop ourselves to participate actively in society, and contribute to the European debate with our independent student’s perspective. We hereby declare these principles to be fundamental to us: The diversity of Europe has to be valued, and we reflect it in our organisation. The richness of our continent relies on people from different cultures and backgrounds coming together and being united by common values. Cooperation between people and communities begins with dialogue and mutual understanding. We bring together students from all regions of Europe and create friendships that break stereotypes and prejudices. Freedom and human rights are essential elements of a European society. Through our work and behaviour, we aim to serve as an example and spread these values among the youth of our continent. A strong Europe is built upon the foundations of respect, tolerance and solidarity. Following these values, we stand for an inclusive society where citizens enjoy equal opportunities and rights. Progress in Europe has to be based on knowledge and unlimited access to education. By providing diverse learning opportunities and supporting a European dimension in education, we believe it gives young people better opportunities for the future. By honouring and promoting these principles, we shape a better Europe.

a. AEGEE Identity implemented in my local’s activities

The AEGEE Identity is not just a collection of nice sentences lacking a concrete impact. It is the task of the locals to put them into practice. The main aim is to have coherency among all the activities carried out on local and European level. Implementing the new identity in your local implies that all the events organised by your local, whether it is a local or a European event, contribute to the mission of AEGEE. They should also be in coherency with our values and what we strive for. The most important phase to keep in mind our identity is at the planning stage of your events and activities. When shaping your event it is really important that you know clearly what objectives you want to achieve with this event and check that these objectives are in coherency with AEGEE’s identity. You should also make sure that you use the means of our organisation. To give you some support, here you have some examples of events which clearly contribute to the mission of the organisation:

Example 1: A discussion at your university about a topic which affects somehow the European Integration process of our continent (for instance, the visa for students). You can invite university professors and students to debate. The link with the mission of AEGEE is quite clear, since you will “bring Europe closer to students” and you will do it by “creating a space for debate” Example 2: Promoting all the opportunities which Europe offers to young people: ERASMUS, EVS, Grundtvig, Leonardo, ERASMUS Mundus… and acting as an info point for students about Europe by inviting them for a European picnic during one evening. With an activity like this one, you are empowering students about opportunities in Europe and you are promoting non formal education and creating an space for intercultural exchange.. Example 3: Helping exchange students integrate fully in your city, by making them participate and contribute to your local reality. You organise activities with ERASMUS students, leaving an impact in your city, such as a debate about how to improve their situation in your university, and finishing the day with a European night. With the Erasmus activities, it is a bit tricky and can look far from our mission. However, there are plenty of activities to do with the Erasmus students that will encourage intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding, provide them with opportunities for self-development and promote their active participation. Just make sure that you have clear which objectives you are following while organising, e.g. a cultural evening.

Within AEGEE you can organize almost any activity you imagine, the possibilities are endless. All that is needed is that the connection between your activities and the overall Vision and Mission of AEGEE is clear for you, and reflected in the objectives of the activity. Moreover, do not forget to use the means during your activities. Having a coherent Network which fulfils Vision and Mission does not mean at all that we have to stop doing fun things. We should have fun in everything we do, but always connecting it to a higher purpose.

b. AEGEE Identity implemented in my local’s PR

You should always keep the Identity in mind you when doing your Public Relations and visibility actions. Communicate what is our Vision and Mission, make sure that your actions respect our statement of principles. AEGEE provides you with a wide variety of materials including the identity, which will help you in your campaign:  A general AEGEE presentation  An extended AEGEE presentation  An identity document, gathering the identity elements, translated in your language, so you can upload it to your local website  A presentation to use in your SU recruitment campaign  A general flyer  An official AEGEE video  A general poster  New official merchandising You will be able to modify all these to a certain extend so they reflect your local reality.

You can use the AEGEE-Europe presentation (there is a general, ready-made version, and an extended version you can adapt), which you can find on the members’ portal (aegee.org/portal). In this way you will be able to present to your audience different aspects of AEGEE. There will be different ready-made presentations that can be used also in other situations such as LTC’s and RTC’s (for example, one about our history and achievements in our past). If we want our members to be readily involved in activities which go further than travelling, and we want people who want to have fun and actively participate in trying to make a change in Europe, it is necessary to start promoting AEGEE in a different way. It is important to stress in your recruitment presentations that in AEGEE we always have fun in everything we do, but at the same time we want to achieve many other things like: 1) Improving our skills and competences which will help us to become a real citizen and jump from education to the labour market. In AEGEE, we develop skills like: Leadership, working in intercultural teams, flexibility, public speaking, conflict resolution, project management, crisis management, language skills, self confidence, etc. 2) Participating actively in shaping and improving the lives of thousands of other students in Europe, by working closely with different institutions like the European Parliament, European Commission, Council of Europe, United Nations, etc. 3) Breaking stereotypes and prejudices about other nationalities and cultures. Once we participate in AEGEE, we will realize how much fear we had about things that we simply did not have the opportunity to know. We will learn to dive deep into other cultures and learn how to appreciate and feel strongly connected to them. 4) We develop a truly European feeling in addition to our national identity. In AEGEE we don't have national level, because our organization was created with the vision of a united Europe without national barriers blocking our cooperation and integration. This is the real magic in AEGEE. You will start feeling more European, forgetting the differences and discovering that there are many more things that unite the young Europeans, walking in the same direction towards the Europe we want.

How to talk about AEGEE with “freshies”? It is one of the biggest challenges we have in our HR cycle, because all the knowledge and experiences we have in our head are not easy to explain even in 2 hours.

Suggestion 1 Aim: Understanding the role of AEGEE Arrange the room in a cosy atmosphere, e.g. participants can sit close to each other in a circle, you together with them (the person giving the session should always be on the same level as people listening).

1. Ask participants “What is AEGEE for you?” Ask about their thoughts, connotations, feelings they associate with AEGEE. Both advanced and fresh member can contribute very well! 2. “Imagine there's no AEGEE! What is missing?” Participants can give both their personal point of view – what would be missing for me? And look from more general perspective - what would be missing in the world? 3. Discuss about the role of AEGEE. a. Bring back from the past the milestones of AEGEE. Ask participants how much do they know, make them share their knowledge (You can use the AEGEE HISTORY Toolkit). b. The challenge for participants – ask them ‘What should be AEGEE’s role today and in the future’. Discuss all together, encourage participants to speak, make them feel that THEY are the future of AEGEE!

Suggestion 2 Aim: Understanding the role of AEGEE This idea is based on the Statement of Principles expressing our strongest beliefs, as members of the association. It can be a great ‘food for thoughts’ for your participants! 1. Print Statement on Principles and cut it into parts that express different messages (it has 5 main paragraphs) 2. Divide participants in groups and give each group one piece of paper with one paragraph. Give them about 10-15 minutes to read it and understand it. 3. Ask them to prepare a short presentation, that will show the message of their paragraph to the rest (let them come up with any ideas! They can make role-play, posters, discussion, etc…). Give them about 15-20 for that.

4. Presentations – each group, one by one, makes their presentation. Then the rest of members discuss what was the message. Try to keep the discussion close to AEGEE (e.g. ‘What do we do, what can we do about it?’) Some topics will take less, some more time. Some presentations will be similar to each other, or the message will seem the same – ask participants what do they think about it?

Suggestion 3 Aim: Inform about AEGEE activities and bodies The structure of AEGEE may seem rather complicated to a fresh member. It becomes more clear while a person is getting more involved in activities and meets others. But… How to make it clear from the first moment? 1. Make list of the main AEGEE bodies, that you want your participants to discover (use the structure scheme for help) 2. Prepare materials about each of chosen bodies – official definitions fromStatutes (CIA), from Key to Europe, The AEGEEan magazine etc. 3. Divide participants in groups; give each group materials about one AEGEE body. Give them 10-15 minutes to read materials. 4. Ask each group to prepare a presentation of “their body” using the materials they have, they can also ask you questions. (Let them be creative! It can be done like a models show on a catwalk :)). Give them 15-20 minutes. 5. Each group presents their body to the rest of participants. You can make a discussion, asking for example if they would like to be a member of this body.

Suggestion 4 Aim: Learning about and from the past, using publications. You will need several AEGEE publications (it can be Key to Europe from different years). You should also ask around for the history of your own antenna 1. Take some time before the LTC (Local Training Course) to look through the publications and through your local’s history - find some interesting stories, personalities, and facts about AEGEE in general, or your local. 2. Prepare a quiz – make questions about the things you found interesting. Try to make “open questions”, so not with “yes/no” answers. 3. During LTC (Local Training Course) prepare one member of the trainers team to know the answer for one question. Make small tables around the room and put one trainer at each of them. Put publications on the tables. Make a rule for trainer that they shouldn’t easily reveal the right answer.

4. Divide participants in teams; give each team the quiz with questions (the same for everyone). Their task will be to find out the right answers to all questions. They can ask people at the tables and read publications. 5. After 15-20 minutes announce the end of game. And find the winner/winners! (It is nice if you have some prizes for them… Maybe an AEGEE publication?)

e. Presenting AEGEE to my members (pitch)

A pitch is a very short message that you use to catch the attention of your opposite and convince them to, e.g. support AEGEE or join it. Here are some examples:

Example 1: AEGEE is the biggest interdisciplinary student organisation in Europe. We are present in 40 countries and we empower students to take an active stand in society and contribute to the European integration process. The association is youth-led, namely it is young people themselves who are creatingthe projects and the activities. Through AEGEE, you can find a space and support to develop your ideas, to learn more about Europe, to experience different cultures and customs. Moreover, by joining this European youth association, you also get the opportunity to have your voice heard toward decision-makers.

Example 2: AEGEE is a student organization which through student participation contributes to the construction of a fully integrated and united Europe.

Example 3: AEGEE is a student organization which will allow you to contribute to building and discovering the Europe you want to live in.

The Vision of AEGEE, its Mission, Means, Statement of Principles and different examples of pitches, will be translated into all our languages, the same as our website www.aegee.org to make it easier for each one of you to promote and disseminate the ideas of AEGEE to each and every corner of this continent.