1. Western Regional Congress 2008, Mozet/BE What is EGEA? Catalina Ionita, EGEA Bucharest (Committee of Activities and Events of EGEA) Neptun – Romania BEST Presidents` Meeting November 2008

2. BEST Presidents` Meeting – November 2008, Romania Legal Framework registered at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Utrecht/NL as… –“European Geography Association for students and young geographers (EGEA)” statutory base (valid version from 2007) –legal document of the EGEA Foundation –originally in Dutch language and according to Dutch law Protocol (valid version from 2007) –details the articles of the statutory base –binding document within EGEA

3. BEST Presidents` Meeting – November 2008, Romania History and Development 15 th of April 1987 –first ideas at the General Assembly of the 10 th Geography Students Meeting in Leon, Spain. Barcelona, Utrecht, Warszawa 9 th of December 1988 –registered Foundation February 1989 –1 st Annual Congress in Warszawa today: –ca. 80 entities in ca. 30 countries with ca. 4.000 members –many congresses, exchanges and smaller events per year For detailed information about EGEA congresses see the webpage of EGEA Tartu… http://www.egea.ee/congresshttp://www.egea.ee/congress

4. BEST Presidents` Meeting – November 2008, Romania Structure and Bodies regional division : East, West, Euro-Med (South), North & Baltic Entities General Board (GB) Board of Executives (BoE) Regional Contact Persons and Assistants (RCP, RCPA) Financial Control Commission (FCC) Secretariat Committees, Alumni,…

5. BEST Presidents` Meeting – November 2008, Romania

6. Western Regional Congress 2008, Mozet/BE Board of Executives Chairman Treasurer coordinator Secretary Vice-chairman North & Baltic Region CP West Region Region CP EuroMed Region CP East Region CP entities…the fundament of EGEA committees … regions…send representatives into BoE AC Secretariat with Director General Board FCC RM

7. BEST Presidents Meeting` – November 2008, Romania Aims and Purpose Geography, an interdisciplinary study with an international focus and field work methods –to create and to foster a network for young geographers –to explore geography in different European countries –to explore geography in real space –to exchange knowledge and experience with colleagues Statutory Base, Article 2: “The aims of EGEA are to encourage, promote and develop activities between Geography students and young geographers in Europe, in the cultural, academic, educational, scientific and professional fields.” to contribute to European integration in general “While EGEA is getting bigger, Europe is coming closer”“While EGEA is getting bigger, Europe is coming closer”

8. BEST Presidents` Meeting – November 2008, Romania Instruments and Activities Events (organized by entities) –congresses Annual Congress (organized each year in September - October; ~ 150 participants) Regional Congresses – organized each year in March – April, one for each region –exchanges bi- or multilateral between entities Most popular activities in EGEA –other events seminars, excursions, weekends, meetings,…

9. Instruments and Activities Media –internet forum www.egea.euwww.egea.eu –European Geographer – published twice a year; contains scientific articles, but also general articles ( there is a specific theme for each number) –EGEA Newsletter - contains information about activities of different entities and about upcoming events like congresses. –event reports BEST Presidents` Meeting – November 2008, Romania

10. Strengths For students and YOUNG Geographers Combination of Formal and Informal Almost in every European Country Practical (activities): congresses, excursions Traveling and learning, Exchanges, multiculturalism Exchange (knowledge change) Networking Forum Regional growth All geographers → geographical experience Mutual support Voluntary work BEST Presidents` Meeting – November 2008, Romania

11. Weaknesses MONEY: never enough, lack of financial/management experience COMMUNICATION: lack of communication in national level WEBSITE: too many inactive members on forums (entity management), structure of the website INACTIVE/DYING ENTITIES SUPPORT OF ENTITIES ACTIVITIES: lack of scientific activities, more diversity needed PROMOTION: not enough external visibility STRUCTURE: regional division → too different in size VISAS!!!! BEST Presidents` Meeting – November 2008, Romania

12. Thanks for your attention! Please, feel invited to ask any kind of questions about EGEA!