What is AIESEC?

Answering one of the hardest questions out there.

You might call us a student organization, dreamers, people who have too much to do or even, a sect. We have gotten a lot of interpretations on what we are, by people that barely know us. So we thought we would do the polite thing and introduce ourselves properly.

Hello, my name is Daniela and I am a member of this youth run organization called AIESEC. It all started back in 1948, with a bunch of people from across Western Europe that wanted things to change. One of the founding countries of AIESEC is actually Belgium. The Second World War has come and gone, but it took a lot from humanity: lives, trust and hope. But this bunch of people was determined to change this. Reality is only what you make of it, in the end.

The problem that they identified in the world is lack of effective leadership. We are currently led by the same belief, that the way we can change the world is by developing leadership among young people.

Since 1948, we grew and expanded our reach a bit: you can find AIESECers in over 126 countries and territories in the world. Over 70 000 young people in this world believe in the purpose of this organization: to develop leadership in other young people.

This was needed in 1948 and it is just as relevant today as it was then, maybe even more. The word in itself might sound somewhat overused or promising too much. According to our recent survey, there is a general mistrust in formal leaders. Rightly so, when you take a look at the world and the current affairs. At the same time, especially young people are beginning to take action. For example, we search for the meaning behind the word. Leadership means the state and the ability to turn a thought into action via a group of people. The term itself is very broad For us, we try to concentrate the leadership we develop around 4 qualities: being a world citizen, self-aware, solution-oriented and empowering others. These qualities matter to us and they are the ones one can develop in our organization.

How do we do this? Through our membership and through our exchange programs. We offer young people the opportunity to be active and learn experientially about themselves and about the world.

Our generations change year after year and go through a clear development process. That is one of the criteria for which we won the WorldBlu prize for the most democratic organization in the world a couple of years in a row. But that is not the only reason.

We strive for a better world via our vision, but we also take action about our reality in order to reach for our dream. That is why we work together with the United Nations.

We develop skills and, at the same time, we become a better version of ourselves, not being afraid to live in this world the way we want and to shape the world in a better way. That is why we have specific programs that one can join, depending on their needs.

Now, you can have the same chance too, in your campus.

Our question is: how will you lead?