International Politics Working Group
Basic information
Established in: 1996
Main aims and tasks:
Sergio Caredda: “AEGEE operates in a political world, we have to face the reality.”
- Raising awareness of current political issues in the student world
- Making it completely understandable that “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.” (Pericles)
- Giving members the chance to express their opinions throughout various actions, such as debates, local events, training courses, workshops, simulation games, case studies
- Dealing with issues like the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the trample of democracy and institutional rights and the role of the European Court
- Showing to the society the impact of political processes on youngsters
- Directly promoting peace and stability in Europe
- Supporting the development of the transborder cooperation
- Supporting AEGEE Locals in overcoming different political obstacles in their international cooperation
Activities:
- IPAD – International Politics Awareness Day
- Local IPWGs
- Partnership with EnWG for AEGEE4Rio (a Rio+20 initiative)
- Model European Union (MEU)
- Online debates
History:
The International Politics Working Group (IPWG) was founded on the 30th of September 1996 by students of the University of Gorizia. The first steps were taken back then by Sergio Caredda, who after bringing the statutes to the Gorizia court, created the basis for the Working Group to develop further. However, the member who gave flesh and bones and brought fresh air and new activities to the IPWG was Frank Burgdörfer. Currently, the IPWG is developing a study project about the Central European Initiative, a co-operation effort in Central-Eastern Europe. On top of that, a political sciences library is being created in Gorizia.
In general, ever since its foundation in 1997, the International Politics Working Group has become a strong pillar for AEGEE activities, by bringing thematic input to different conferences and seminars, as well as by organising conferences on its own. It played an important role in the realisation of AEGEE’s projects, such as Peace Academy and Ten Years of Transition after the end of the Cold War. Ever since then it has been an integral part of AEGEE, implementing many training courses and events bringing into attention important political issues and motivating the youth into an active political idea.
Ever since its foundation, the IPWG changed the lives of many of its members, but most importantly it changed their perspectives.
Flagship Projects:
- Peace Academy (1999/2000)
- Borderless Europe (2000/2001)
- Quo Vadis Europe (2001)
- Youth & Globalisation (2003)
- EU&Europe (2004)
Returning to the present, the IPWG is determined to have one loud impact on the world of international politics within AEGEE, to focus on significant issues that influence our lives in Europe and world wide, and to bring into question youth and human political rights.
Getting Involved
We seek those members who believe in the dynamics of politics, who believe that nothing is impossible and finally who are committed to the idea that the only thing we cannot afford to become are idiots (Etymology: Ancient Greek ἰδιώτης, idiōtēs ~ expl.”person lacking professional skill”, “a private citizen”, “individual”), as the essence of democracy lies in active citizenship and awareness. The ideal member for this Working Group is an active member who is not resting in his own peace.
Mostly, we are offering all our newcomers the possibility to get involved in all of the above mentioned activities. Simultaneously, we regularly have open calls for different subgroups which exist in our WG, and all new members get a chance to be involved in the activities of the WG, while the Board members share their knowledge and skills in those subgroups.
In our WG everything is based on democratic principles and in case any experienced member is willing to initiate any big project or event, the Board will absolutely welcome any such step. If the project/initiative corresponds to the current objectives of the WG and to its upcoming agenda, then that project will also become part of the WG’s agenda.
In the IPWG, there is already a very lovely tradition or atmosphere, because many experienced members have joined us and they always help us with different practices, which the Board may not know because of their lack of experience. So we may say that the experienced members have a unique role and position in our WG and all their initiatives and proposals are always being taken into account, or at least it has been like that during this past year.
The last level members are also very common for our WG, as currently we have several such members, including several former CD members. All of them are welcomed and their positions are being taken into account with special interest and motivation. Again, they may directly get involved in all our ongoing activities or projects and they may also be elected for any position.
In order to become a regular member of the WG, one just needs to fill in the application form that can be found on the website of the IPWG.
Elections:
All Board members are elected by the other members of the WG and usually knowledge of international political issues and international law, and a good background of AEGEE activities matter as well.
Related fields of study:
- Peace and stability
- Democracy, democratic development, European Union, EU enlargement, protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, sustainable development, environmental politics, transborder cooperation
- Development of active civil societies
Working methods:
E-mails, phone calls, Skype meetings, Facebook groups, sharing data systems (Google docs, dropbox, etc), regular team meetings (weekends, 3 or 4 days in a city, etc).
Amount of work required:
The amount of required work depends on the position. For Board members it would be about 8-10 hours per week (including Skype meetings). For members it mostly depends on their willingness to get involved. If the person is keeping up with his/her e-mail and is willing to actively get involved in the WG’s activities, he/she may need 4-5 hours.
