EGEA Reunion in Prague?
Dear alumni,
EUROGEO is the European Association of Geographers and they are VERY KEEN on working together with EGEA and EGEA alumni. It are the same people involved from HERODOT, so we know them and they know us.
Benefits for EGEA could be numerous, for example:
- Having joint events
- promotion of EGEA among EUROGEO members, for example universities helping local EGEA entities
- make links between each others members, for example for work placements.
- giving EGEA members to publish research papers in a reviewed online magazine
- and in the long term EUROGEO might even be able to support EGEA financialy
EUROGEO will organise a seminar in Prague from 6-8 may on the theme 'Geography and Sustainability. EUROGEO offered EGEA to hold its alumni reunion there. Alumnis could meet each other, and discuss with EUROGEO future possiblities for cooperation.
It is just a first idea. How it will be exactly organised (will a reunion be a side event? what about accomodation, number of participants, finances etc.) has to be elaborated.
What do you think about such an idea? I don't know if you planned already next alumni meetings, but wouldn't this be a good opportunity?
I would like to volunteer for co-organising this, any of you interested to join?
Of course many things are still unclear but as it is still in the starting phase we could influence the organisation of the meeting to meet with our needs.
Best wishes,
Gert
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Comments
what exactly is EUROGEO ?
sorry, but i seem to have missed this organization till now.
just browsed around their homepage http://www.eurogeography.eu/index.htm# a bit (well, it's even more unmaintained then the egea website ;)
and every second link goes to HERODOT. so is it just another name for it or the same?
just found out that you can become an individual member for 40€ a year. but there is no info on what they do, cause most links don't work for me.
for me personally it sounds like a good idea to "share forces".
my only concern goes to the way, this event will be organized:
alumni weekends so far were nice gatherings in mountain huts. i personally don't need a hotel-room in prague to meet the ppl. (itś just a different flavour).
on the other hand, i would like to see some more scientific things comming into the networking process.
meeting friends is one thing, but i personally would like to build up as well networks concerning the topics i'm working on (and there, the egea basis is a bit too small at the moment i fear)
more background information needed
Hi there,
I also havn´t heared about this association yet. cooperation is always a nice thing, but first we need to know whith whom to cooperate. personally i find their webside not that well informatory. Gert, could you please tell us a bit more about this group?
to have an `reunion`during some other conference is going on or as a part of these should be well thought-out. where are the links between the seperate organisations, what are the aim etc.. personally I like the idea, but i also agree with bernd that i normally don´t need a different conference and a hotel room atmosphere for this.
Gert, please tell us more about the issues going on in EUROGEO and about the people. Who else is active and assiciated within them?
:W
Karsten
EUROGEO
Hi guys,
Thanks for your replies. I understand your questions.
Let met try to explain what EUROGEO is. The aim of the organisation is to become the European Association for Geographers. That is for academics, geography alumni, professionals in the geographical work force. Their example is the Association for American Geographers (AAG), the famous more than 100 years old network for geographers worldwide, but focussed on North America.
If you check the website of EUROGEO you see that it exists since 1979 and that they have participatory status in the council of Europe. It used to be an organisation focused on geography teachers.
HERODOT is a network for geographers in higher education. It is a Thematic Network funded by the European Commission. The first HERODOT project got funded for three years, and in 200 they got a second round of funding.
EGEA officially participated in the HERODOT II project. EGEA members joined the working groups and participated in working group meetings and at the conferences in Stockholm (2007), Liverpool (2008) and Turkey (2009).
Now the HERODOT II project is getting into its final phase. One of the aims for HERODOT II was to establish an association that if after the EU project it could continue its work. It was decided to use EUROGEO for this, which was having a sleeping existence in the latest years. In Turkey the new Statutory Base and the new board were chosen. The organisation is now registered in Belgium.. Karl Donert, the coordinator of HERODOT, became the president. Also the other people in the board are people that were active in HERODOT before.
Anyway, it is still a small organisation, they just started, that is also the reasons why not all information is on the website yet. EUROGEO does not have the financial funds HERODOT had, they have to rely on membership fees and sponsorship.EUROGEO it is the only European organisation for Geographers, as we are the only European organisation for Students and Young Geographers, so the links are obvious.
EUGEO (a network of national geographical societies in Europe) where we also worked together with for their conference in Amsterdam (2007) is not very active and did not show a great interest in working together with students. EUROGEO is very keen on working with students. Karl Donert especially, but also the other actors acknowledge the benefits of working together with EGEA.
The people currently active in HERODOT and EUROGEO are geographers from Universities from all over Europe. EUROGEO is a serious and ambitious organisation, but easy accesible. It does not have the hierarchical structurs you will find in some other academic organisations.
One of the reasons of course why they are so much interested in EGEA is because they see EGEA-alumni as potential members for their organisation. But as well because they recognise EGEA as a powerful organisation which shares many of the same aims.
I do not think it can replace EGEA-alumni, because what makes EGEA-alumni special is that its members share the unique EGEA experience. My idea about an EGEA reunion at the Prague seminar also should not replace the nice alumni mountain hut meetings. These meetings should go on! (although I did not have the pleasure yet to join one of them)
But first the Prague seminar will be the perfect opportunity to discuss with EUROGEO the possibilities to work together with EGEA-alumni and EGEA in general. For example on the job and internship databases, promotion of geography and helping local EGEA entities.
Secondly it can offer more science to EGEA. From almost every questionaire in EGEA the lack of 'science' is a point of concern for EGEAns. Especially for alumni this could be a valuable point as Bernd is mentioning. I was never against more science in EGEA, but I always realised that it is not our strongest point. We are good at organising, but for more science we should connect to other organisations I believe.
And third, it is an opportunity to meet with each other. Maybe we should also try to include former EGEA generations into Alumni. Such a meeting in Prague could be an opportunity for this. It could also be an opportunity for EGEA alumni to meet informally with senior geographers from all over Europe. Who knows what kind of job opportunities or projects for you could raise from such a meeting?
We don't need this event for EGEA alumni to meet, we can easily find another possiblity. At this event we won't have the total freedom as on previous alumni meetings. The atmosphere will be different indeed. But also in HERODOT and EUROGEO events I always experienced a nice, loose atmosphere with many social event and a relaxed and fun time.
Harry Rogge, the secretary general of EUROGEO will speak on Friday at the EGEA Annual Congress in Heeg. He will mention the Prague seminar there too but without reference to how it will exactly look.
From your replies and also from talks with other EGEAns I understand there is a positive attitude to a meeting in Prague with EUROGEO. Important is to formulate our wishes for such an event and to be involved from the beginning.
Do you see the three points that I mentioned (organisation/cooperation, science, reunion) as important too?
What are the points we would like to discuss with EUROGEO?
Are you interested in presenting your scientific work at this seminar?
What is the maximum you would like to spend for such a weekend?
Should we for example have a seperate accomodation if the conference accomodation will be in a luxury hotel?
Do we need a side (social) program if we want it to be an EGEA reunion too?
What about trying to involve EGEAns from previous generations into EGEA alumni?
Long post, many questions. But I am confident we can make something out of this invitation. Lets wait for a reaction from Heeg, from EUROGEO and the alumni board? and then discuss it on skype? or in Muenster for example?
thanx gert for your long
thanx gert for your long post
Do you see the three points that I mentioned (organisation/cooperation, science, reunion) as important too?
yes
What are the points we would like to discuss with EUROGEO?
from my website-fixed point of view: cooperating in web-resources, databases etc.
Are you interested in presenting your scientific work at this seminar?
me personally have nothing to present. but am always interested in looking "over the edge of my plate" (how to say his in english correctly ;) )
there the question would be, if it will be organized and held in "traditional", so boring lecture style, or if "new" methods will have a place.
What is the maximum you would like to spend for such a weekend?
for me hard to say. when i have money, i will spend all on this. when i have no money, i will not come.
Should we for example have a seperate accomodation if the conference accomodation will be in a luxury hotel?
would be a not too bad idea.
Do we need a side (social) program if we want it to be an EGEA reunion too?
for an official reunion, the frame is maybe too broad. but as more alumnis and dinos come, the better.
and maybe then there is a timeslot we can reserve for internal affairs or just drinking beer ;)
What about trying to involve EGEAns from previous generations into EGEA alumni?
of course. but to be successful with that, the aims and goals of that meeting should be much more clear to be able to inform ppl and attract them to come.
but as you said, the hole thing seems to be in a very early stage. so keep us informed and we should collect our ideas.
thanks
Pfff, lot to read...
Ok, I see the link to EGEA now, and for shure it would be useful to establish an europeanwide association for geographers. To use EGEA and it´s Alumni network would make sense as well, we can offer this possibility to our members for their and EGEAs benefit.
But I doubt that this meeting in Prague could act like a Alumni-reunion. For sure we can offer this to all Alumnis, but the main aim is still the establishment of EUROGEO, not the meeting of EGEANs. So lets apprechiate this meeting in Prague and see this as an opportunity to professionalise geographical networking in Europe, and everyone who´s interested could come there.
Personal I can imagine to join this meeting. But as well as others I´m a bit handicapped concerning my financial abilities. Thats also the point for the regular EROGEA fee, even if it´s only 40€/year. Luxury accomodation is far away from possible for me, if I would want to attend such a meeting and have to pay it for myself.
Regarding the Alumni group we should handle this as an offer, not as an official Alumni organised meeting. However, as I understand everyone is invitet to go there, and if I will have the time&money, I´m going to join it as well.
Further discussion online and especially in Muenster is very welcome!
Thats for now, back to work... ;)
:W
Karsten
Thanks too
Thanks for your fast and clear comments again!
And sorry I wrote so much! Did not realise it was so much when writing it yesterday.
And as a short reply to Karstens comment: So lets apprechiate this meeting in Prague and see this as an opportunity to professionalise geographical networking in Europe, and everyone who´s interested could come there.
I understand your point, but they are offering us to host an EGEA reunion. I did not ask for it. So why not take it? But then only if they seriously want to meet our wishes (enough places, cheap accomodation, low fee, time to meet each other and time for a party etc.). Otherwise it would indeed be an EUROGEO seminar, with some EGEA participation. Fine for me too, but if there is the possibility to have it as a 'real' alumni event I would prefer that.
I see...
Ok, I got it - they offered us to have an EGEA reunion there, and they would support this by funding/helping us? This indeed makes it very interesting, we should consider this!
I called Linde today, the Alumni-board is preparing a new newsletter at the moment. Maybe we should include this proposal for a "reunion" to this letter!
So I have to say: Yes, I´m interested. But only if Alumni has really the possebility to stay as a individual body there and also in future (I guess nobody wants to change this).
:W
Karsten
Very interesting
Hi,
I think this sounds as a nice and interesting opportunity for EGEA Alumni. But as you all said, we need the possibility to meet on our own as well. But why not take the challenge and meet together with EUROGEO for the next Alumni Weekend.
We could have our own accomodation where we have our meeting and instead of a hiking or cultural trip we include the EUROGEO in our program.
But did I get it right that EUROGEO is only for academic/university purpose? What about those of us that do not work in science any more?
Do we have any dinosaur or alumni in Prague who might organaise this event?
greetings,
Sabine
so lets do it!
guys, sorry for replying almost one month later. (updates end up in my spam folder, and checking the alumni forum is not really included in my system yet).
But seeing your replies, I would say, we go for it!
Did you discuss it in the board already Sabine?
Who likes to join a committee to organise it?
I'll also contact our Prague members to see if they can help us.
Finding cheap accomodation shouldn't be a problem in Prague, we won't be forced to stay in an expensive hotel. A limited fee for EGEA members should be possible too. On the other hand we also can't expect too much funds from EUROGEO, as the EU support for HERODOT ended.
Best regards,
Gert
Hi! No, we did not discuss it
Hi!
No, we did not discuss it in the board. I hoped for more replies here....anyway, I will ask what the others think.
As we said on the Alumni-Weekend, we wanted to organise the weekend. Actually I was thinking about having it here in Stockholm, but if we are going to Prag I can join the organising committee for that weekend instead.
Who else is in?
It's going on
Hi all,
Because I have done far too little about it in the past two months I had to speed up the process a little...
EUROGEO mentioned the meeting in their latest newsletter as a special meeting - May 8, Prague, followed by an EGEA alumni weekend so it looks that we, or at least I, am more or less bound to it :)
So you are all invited to Prague in May!
So I hope as many of you possible can be present. Especially the alumni board and those important active members from the beginning, so it will become a true alumni event and we can really make some plans with EUROGEO.
I have contacted EGEA-Prague, and Roman offered to join the organising team and help us with accomodation, local contacts, field trips, partys etc.
The Scientific Committee also supports the idea as they see it as a great opportunity for EGEA to enhance the scientific level in EGEA.
So still many details have to follow.
A very first draft programme as I could imagine it:
We will stay all together in a budget accomodation in Prague.
Friday 7th welcome, diner, alumni meeting and social event.
Saturday 8th Seminar on Sustainability and Geography (I'm awaiting details from EUROGEO), afternoon/evening: time frame to discuss cooperation between EUROGEO and EGEA Alumni. Diner and evening together with EUROGEO.
Sunday: further discussions EGEA alumni, possibly with some EUROGEO member joining and field trip in Prague organised by EGEA-Prague.
I am awaiting a reply from EUROGEO. If I know more I'll let you know.
Could you in the meanwhile spread the news and put in in the newsletter or in a e-mail to all alumni? I've posted it on the EGEA forum already.
Hope to see you in Prague!
and guys, not that it matters to me, but do you realise that our discussions are on top in google and that everybody can read it?
Facebook
Dear all,
I´ve just posted this information in the discussions section on facebook. I generally appreciate this meeting but can´t say yet if I will be around in the beginning of May or if I will have to do some fieldworks then.
:W
Karsten
Hello folks!
As I am not logged in in Facebook it would be nice to know, if there is more reaction or any conclusion?
Will there (soon?) be an alumni-board-meeting to discuss this topic (and probably other stuff)??
Greets from berlin, Maren
Alumni board's answer on Gerd's email
On 31th December Gerd sent an email to the alumni board and asked us about our opinion and support regarding the joined meeting of EUROGEO and EGEA Alumni & Dinosaurs. In order to keep all other interested Alumnis informed I will post my answer on behalf of the Alumni board here as well. (Gerd's email itself is not necessary to know, because it does not contant any new information which was not mentioned above already).
------------------------------
Dear Gert,
Thank you very much for your email! Yesterday Andrea, Sabine and I had a Skype meeting and and also talked about your offer to organize a joint meeting with EGEA Alumni & Dinosaurs and EUROGEO. With deep interest we followed your detailed explanations on the Alumni forum and would like to support your idea!
From our point of view this event should not substitute the Annual Alumni Meeting at the beginning of September, but should be seen as an additional thematic event. Let me answer your three questions that you aked at us:
1 - Do you support the idea and if you allow me to coordinate it as an alumni event? Do you have any comments or advices on the plan?
Yes, we support the idea and would be grateful if you would coordinate it. You'd be the ideal person, since you are in contact for several years with persons who are participating in Herodot and EUROGEO.
Programme:
You suggested the following draft programme on the alumni forum:
Friday 7th welcome, diner, alumni meeting and social event.
Saturday 8th Seminar on Sustainability and Geography (I'm awaiting details from EUROGEO), afternoon/evening: time frame to discuss cooperation between EUROGEO and EGEA Alumni. Diner and evening together with EUROGEO.
Sunday: further discussions EGEA alumni, possibly with some EUROGEO member joining and field trip in Prague organised by EGEA-Prague.
Even if the "official" part of the joined meeting would start on Friday, we would favour a solution to arrive in Prague already on Thursday 6th May. There could be an alumni internal smaller meet&greet programme already at this evening and on Friday during the day.. For Friday evening we would recommend a kind of "icebreaker party" with participants of EGEA Alumni & Dinos and EUROGEO. Additionally, on Saturday a self introduction of EUROGEO would be nice (not longer than 1/2 hour), and - if requested by EUROGEO - of EGEA / EGEA A&D as well. Beside this minor modifications/proposals we think that your draft agenda is perfect and should be further discussed with EUROGEO.
Accommodation:
Feasible accommodation would be welcome! Many Alumnis still have to keep a strict eye on their budget, so the participation should not be limited because of a too high participation fee. If you or members of EGEA Prague would have and ideas on suitable hostels / group accommodation it would be great. Although it is still 4 months until this meeting could take place the question of accommodation should be clarified as soon as possible!
Congress fee:
Participation fees in EGEA events basically cover accommodation & food. Do you know if EUROGEO would also collect a certain amount of money for participation in their event, or would we be invited as guests?
2 - Do you like and are you able to participate in this event? Of course it would be very important that a representative of the board is present.
Spoken for myself I'm highly interested to join this event. So without knowing my workload in May I'd say that I will participate! Also Andrea and Sabine showed their interest, but are still a bit cautious about free time & money.
3 - if you would like to play a role in the organisation (Sabine mentioned her interest into this)
Yes, we would like to. Since nobody of us has personal connections to EUROGEO members or know Prague very well, it would be most efficient if we would assist your organisation efforts with parts that can be achieved without this knowledge and connections.
Promotion:
One major thing could be promotion of this event among EGEA Alumni & Dinosaur members. Next to the Alumni webpage (which is - unfortunately - not very frequently visited) we think of the new established EGEA Alumni Facebook group and the Newsletter. Regarding the newsletter we offer to design a digital advertisement flyer in order to promote this event. The circulation of this newsletter is scheduled for Sun 24th Januar. This date is important because we want to spread the information before the start of the "EGEA Nostalgia Weekend" organized by Marijke, Desi, Jan-Willem and Emiel. Although this is a fun weekend without official "Alumni" label on it we should take the change to promote this event there (maybe even with printed flyers), since the participants of this weekend seem to be a core target group of the EGEA A&D / EUROGEO meeting as well.
With best wishes,
Dirk, Bine, Andrea and Philippe
Fantastic!
Dear all,
it is wuite funny to read your (long) posts, just before the Egea Nostalgia Weekend...
I really hadn't hear anything about it at all. Although Dennis went to Switzerland, he did not say anything about this idea.
I most probably will join this event in Prague as well. It really is a great opportunity to create a link between the students and the professional field, as you all mentioned.
Most of you will join the weekend, so we will intensify this subject for sure more.
Cool! See you in a couple of hours, or later again at the forum!!!
More details available, registration opened
Hi all!
Registration for the EGEA reunion is open!
Vita, Roman (from Prague), Sven (from Brussels and the scientific committee) and Claudia (president) joined as organisers. Other input is still welcome!
95 Euro, two nights, I know it is not cheap, but lower wasn't possible for now. It includes accomodation, seminar, program and all meals and a serious field trip on Sunday.
We decided to organise it from Friday until Sunday, due to our own availability as organisers, but of course it is possible to come on Thursday and organise your own program.
Plan is to join the whole Saturday with EUROGEO, including the evening program. A meeting with the EUROGEO board will be on the programme.
Deadline for registration and for possible abstracts is the 1st of April!
Please check the EGEA forum and this little document this little document for more details.
And please register! Because we need you and because it is gonna be great!
All the best!
Gert
premiminary registration overview?
Hi Gert, hi all,
as for now it seems I can make it to Prague in May.
Few qustions might be allowed:
Rooms: do we have double-rooms, or different sices?
What about the conference-fee, if I would have already an "own" accomodatiojn in Prague?
Further more I am curious who did already sign in for the weekend?
Thanks in andvance for some answers here...
Looking forward,
Maren
Re: premiminary registration overview?
Hi Maren and all,
As this event is not only meant for Alumni but also those we'd like to call still active "Dinosaurs" I'd propose to use the EGEA forum to discuss organisational issues regarding this event.
EDIT: @Maren: I signed in.
ah, ok - I "move back" to the
ah, ok - I "move back" to the still yellow-homepage to discuss furhter things about Prague...thx for your answer here.
...and, @Linde: I (almost) signed in ;)