AEGEE (The European Students’ Forum) began with the dream of a great man, Franck Biancheri, in 1985, and has now grown to become one of the largest European student networks, former AEGEE-Valletta president David Ciliberti said during the opening of AEGEE 25: Celebrating Legacies.
The event, which is being organised by the local branch of the AEGEE-Europe network, AEGEE-Valletta, brings together 30 students from various European countries, including Spain, Italy, Macedonia and Belgium, to mark the 25th anniversary.
On 16 August 1985, a group of students met for a conference that went on to establish the European, city-based, student organisation today known as AEGEE, which boasts 15,000 members.
AEGEE has left many legacies, Dr Ciliberti said, including the ERASMUS programmes on which AEGEE started working just two years after its foundation. So many students have benefited from these programmes, he said.
All the work AEGEE has carried out over the years means there is good reason to celebrate, and several branches across Europe will be organising events to mark this occasion.
Current AEGEE-Valletta president Elizabeth Borg said this event was just one of thousands that have been organised by different AEGEE branches over the 25 years, but they were still putting into practice the principles upon which the organisation was originally built.
All its branches today work at promoting active citizenship, peace, stability and cultural exchange within Europe. It aims to promote European cooperation and integration among young people, especially students.
The students will not only be discussing different ways of reaching their aims, but sharing cultures and ideas, while getting to know Malta better. The programme of events is an interesting and varied one and includes parties and other social events.
It includes visits to Malta’s main historical sites and some of its beautiful beaches and opportunities to sample Maltese cuisine. The students will also be given an introduction to the Maltese language.
While congratulating AEGEE for their hard work, their sense of commitment and voluntary work, Deputy Secretary to Cabinet, Frans Borg said the young people present were sharing not only the 25-year legacy, but also their personal cultures, thoughts and beliefs.
He explained that, despite Malta’s deceptively tiny size, it was a country with a rich history and inheritance. It started with the temples, he said, but Malta has evolved a great deal and the Maltese people are very warm and friendly.
In conclusion, Mr Ciliberti said he hoped AEGEE will go on to celebrate its 30th, 40th and perhaps even its 100th anniversary.