The Evolution of a European Student Network By Anouk Adang, Sandor Kreuze and Gert Ruepert Utrecht University 2005

Content of the presentation What is EGEA? What is EGEA? The development of the network The development of the network Reflection and future perspectives Reflection and future perspectives

What is EGEA? The European Geography Association for students and young geographers The European Geography Association for students and young geographers Since 1988, founded by Utrecht, Barcelona and Warsaw Since 1988, founded by Utrecht, Barcelona and Warsaw Network with around 73 entities in 29 countries Network with around 73 entities in 29 countries 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. 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.

Activities Congresses Congresses Annual Congress Annual Congress 4 Regional Congresses 4 Regional Congresses Other congresses Other congresses Exchanges Exchanges Other activities Other activities National weekends National weekends New years party New years party Introduction for foreign students Introduction for foreign students Excursions etc. Excursions etc. Scientific committees and magazine The internet website and forum

Organisation Division in four regions Division in four regions General Board General Board Board of Executives Board of Executives

Some pictures… The Annual Congress 2004 in Baarlo, The Netherlands 206 participants 206 participants themes Water and European integration and identity themes Water and European integration and identity 5 Lectures, 14 workshops, 4 big excursions, parties, presentations and more 5 Lectures, 14 workshops, 4 big excursions, parties, presentations and more

The development of the EGEA network Which entities have been active in the EGEA history? Which entities have been active in the EGEA history? Is there a geographical pattern in the growth of EGEA? Is there a geographical pattern in the growth of EGEA? Which factors play a role in the in the origin of entities? Which factors play a role in the in the origin of entities?

Number of participations in Annual Congresses per entity

Years in BoE per entity

Results Expansion and dynamism Expansion and dynamism No clear geographical direction of growth No clear geographical direction of growth ‘Core’ in the Netherlands, Germany and Poland ‘Core’ in the Netherlands, Germany and Poland Some striking blank spots Some striking blank spots Face to face contact as the most important mode of communication Face to face contact as the most important mode of communication

Reflection and future perspectives Benefits for students joining EGEA Benefits for students joining EGEA Improve and share knowledge on geographical subjects Improve and share knowledge on geographical subjects Getting acquainted with other geographical traditions Getting acquainted with other geographical traditions (Cheap) travel opportunities (Cheap) travel opportunities Getting to know other countries and cultures Getting to know other countries and cultures International contacts International contacts Improve organisational skills Improve organisational skills Fun! Fun! Time and Money Time and Money

Future perspectives Further growth? Further growth? Problems with finding organisers Problems with finding organisers Seriousness vs. fun Seriousness vs. fun Scientific committees and magazine Scientific committees and magazine Structural funding Structural funding Alumni network Alumni network The next Annual Congress… The next Annual Congress…

Thank you