YOUTH LEADERSHIP THROUGH CULTURAL EXCHANGE
AIESEC was founded way back in 1948 in 7 countries in Europe. Now, more than 68 years later we’re present in over 126 countries and territories and are still growing.
What is AIESEC?
AIESEC is a global youth-led organization striving to achieve peace and fulfillment of humankind’s potential by activating leadership qualities in youth through learning from practical experiences in challenging environments. Together with partner organizations, AIESEC facilitates a network of cross-cultural exchanges in the form of volunteering experiences and professional internships.
OUR VISION
It is every young person’s responsibility to take a positive role shaping the future of our planet, and we believe that every young person deserves the chance, and tools, to fulfil their potential.
We provide young people with self-driven, practical, global experiences. We enable them to see the world, make a real difference and discover what truly matters to them – all while creating a positive social impact.
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Why we do it
Our belief is that sustainable, informed and globally-minded leadership can help us solve many of today’s challenges. Our global platform enables young people with opportunities to grow in confidence, gain experience and can perhaps fail but learn fast. By doing so, they can learn more about themselves and the world around them – and just how much their actions can change the environment they live in.
AIESEC is a global platform for young people to explore and develop their leadership potential. We are a non-political, independent, not-for-profit organisation run by students and recent graduates of institutions of higher education. Its members are interested in world issues, leadership and management. AIESEC does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion or national / social origin.
Since we were founded, we have engaged and developed over 1,000,000 young people who have been through an AIESEC experience. The impact of our organisation can be seen through our alumni who represent business, NGO and world leaders, including one Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Martti Atisaari of Finland.
AIESEC (pronounced eye-sek) was originally an acronym for Association Internationale des Étudiants en Sciences Économiques et Commerciales. AIESEC is no longer used as an acronym but simply as the name of the organisation.
Members of AIESEC are known as “AIESECers.”
We are a global network of young leaders under the age of 30 who strive to better themselves and the communities around them. We are passionate about world issues, leadership development, cultural understanding and experiential learning.
The organisation spans 126 countries and territories and every aspect of AIESEC’s operations are managed by students and recent graduates.
We have operated in this way since our inception, making us uniquely “by young people, for young people”, for over 65 years. The global leadership teams are elected by the membership annually.
AIESEC does not have a pre-defined or officially accepted political tendency or subscription.
AIESEC is not a subsidiary or dependent entity of any other bodies in its work, sustainability or decisions.
We are in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), affiliated with the UN DPI, member of ICMYO, and is recognised by UNESCO.
AIESEC was founded in 1948 in 7 countries in Europe by Jean Choplin (France), Bengt Sjøstrand (Sweden), and Dr. Albert Kaltenthaler (Germany). Over 65 years later we are present in 126 countries and territories.