After 8 months of deliberation, pages of written draft missions and manifestos, 2 months of hiatus due to political turmoil, and a few presentations for different youth organizations, HENQ has gone public!

HENQ organized its first public presentation on Saturday, May 31st, at Common Ground. Following the spirit of HENQ, the coordinating group decided to bend the classical rules of making a presentation and turn the event into an interactive mutual exchange of perspectives.

The event was started off by a discussion on a key question: "After all, what is the State"? We've noticed that there is a general view in society that the State is basically the state authorities – the President, the Parliament, the Government, and so on. Some think of it as a regime, some as a machine, or apparatus for governing. Surprisingly enough, these views weren't widely held in the group that had gathered, which opted for the perspective which is being campaigned by HENQ, that is:

We are the State.

The discussion went on to elaborate thoughts on this point, and what we understand by saying we are the State. After giving each participant the opportunity to think over what "State" and "Citizen" mean for himself/herself, HENQ went on to the next stage of the event – presenting the HENQ introductory powerpoint.

A Q&A session followed the presentation, again engaging participants in the event by opening the floor for questions, comments, and suggestions. Most of the participants presented their personal experiences in standing up for their rights, their disappointment at the level of civic apathy still prevalent in most youth, and the necessity to bring on change not by blaming others, but starting from yourself instead.

Being through with the planned part of the event, participants went on to enjoy refreshments, establish new contacts and chat with each other, under walls decorated with purple and silver balloons and covered with posters carrying slogans like "We are the State", "Job Offer: Citizen required for an Independent Statehood", and, one of our favorite:

"You're henq? You're cool!" ("Ov vor henq a, inqe demq a!")