For the monotypic cephalopod genus, see Egea inermis.
EGEA is an acronym for the European Geography Association, which is a European network of geography students and young geographers, with the goal of exchanging geographical knowledge. To achieve this, EGEA organises congresses, student exchanges, sponsors scientific commissions, hosts foreign students and publishes information in its newsletter. These and other features can be found on EGEA's website, where an extensive community of EGEA-ns are active online.
Organisation
In 1987, students from the universities of Warsaw, Barcelona, Vienna and Utrecht met and had the idea to start a European geography association. Since the organisation's inception, 18 annual congresses have been held in various countries. EGEA has grown from its initial four participants to a current number of about 80 entities in around 20 different countries. Every entity is active in its own way, some entities just receive the information which EGEA brings them while other entities have even founded their own foundation structure and operate as an independent association themselves.
EGEA is divided into four regions, namely the Northern and Baltic, the Eastern, the Western and the EuroMed. Each region elects a representative to the Board of Executives. These regions are connected by meetings of these elected board members, who formulate future directives and initiatives.
Activities
All entities meet once a year at the annual Congress. This Congress takes place in autumn and is the main event on the EGEA calendar. During five days different topics are discussed in workshops. The hosting organisers showcase their country through at least one excursion.
In addition several Regional Congresses are organised throughout the year between the regions of EGEA. These take place in springtime and focus on varying geographical themes.
Another way for entities to meet, are student exchanges, where university students share their houses with each other. They are organised quite often, with the idea of visiting a different country in an affordable and non-touristic manner. Two entities organise visits for individuals in their organisation, and each hosts and creates a programme for the visiting group. During these exchanges, which usually take a week, geography faculties are visited, geographical excursions are organised, the city and surroundings are informally introduced and social events take place which familiarise participants to other geography students. The travel costs are paid by the visitors, but the food, accommodation and programme are taken care of by the hosting group.
