The Valletta branch of the “Association des Etats Généraux des Etudiants de l’Europe” (AEGEE) has attended the bi-annual AEGEE-Europe general network meeting, commonly known as AGORA, held in Naples earlier this month.

The local branch, represented by an impressive 21-member team, also continued its proficient campaign promoting the next AEGEE Spring AGORA – Valletta 2007, A vision for our future, to be held in Malta from 26 to 29 April.

The AGORA is held twice a year in different European cities, with over 1,000 active AEGEE members gathering to discuss the direction that AEGEE-Europe will take over the next six months. Led by AEGEE-Valletta president Johann Schembri, the local branch took part in very important discussions and workshops on various interesting topics. These included Borderless Europe, Visa issues, Higher Education, Environmental issues, Summer Universities, Board training courses and other topics. Local members also voted to elect the new Comite Directeur and other various Commissions that will lead AEGEE-Europe till AGORA Valletta in April 2007.

Six AGORA Valletta organisers also had the opportunity to be part of the organising team of AGORA Napoli. “This helped us a lot in gaining insight experience in organising such a big congress in a few months time,” added Patricia Borg, incoming coordinator for the AGORA in Malta.

As part of its ongoing campaign to promote AGORA Valletta and Malta during the four days of AGORA Napoli, AEGEE-Valletta manned a professional stand to assist in any queries that students had. Furthermore, serving Maltese delicacies and drinks during the international night brought a taste of the local atmosphere to Naples. Clad as Knights of St John, AEGEE-Valletta’s team proudly presented its two promotional videos in front of the 1000 delegates promoting both Malta’s cultural, social and historical splendour as well as its own Spring AGORA on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the branch.

Addressing the delegates present at the AGORA, AGORA Valletta 2007 main coordinator David Ciliberti emphasised the big effort that AEGEE-Valletta organisers are making to organise in the best way possible the stay of all delegates, logistics and the social program in Malta.

AEGEE-Valletta would also like to congratulate two of its members, Alistair DeGaetano and Alexianne Galea for being elected AEGEE-Europe’s president of the Members Commission and chairwomen of AGORA/EBM respectively.

Finally, special thanks go to those who supported the trip – the Tourism and Culture Ministry, the Education Ministry, Air Malta plc, official carrier for the AGORA in Malta, Malta Tourism Authority, Vodafone, University of Malta, Cisk, Kinnie and Camilleri Wines.