AIESEC

 

AIESEC is an international non-governmental and not-for-profit organization that provides young people with leadership development and cross-cultural global experiences, with a focus to empower young people.

The AIESEC network includes over 100,000 members in 126 countries and territories. It is the largest youth-run organization in the world.

 

It envisions "Peace and fulfillment of humankind's potential," by developing globally-minded leaders that live by its six core values: Activating Leadership, Demonstrating Integrity, Living Diversity, Enjoying Participation, Striving for Excellence, and Acting Sustainably.

 

Global Expansion

The organization grew exponentially in the following years, with more than 1,000 exchanges took place in 1955 alone, the same year thatIsrael became the first non-European member. In the following few years, AIESEC quickly became global by establishing its first North American member, the United States, in 1957, and its first South American and African members, Colombia, Venezuela, and South Africain 1958.

 

For the first years of its existence, AIESEC had no central governing body, but was instead managed jointly by a Presiding Country Committee composed of the National Committee Presidents of each member nation. As the organization grew, a central governing body was created and led by democratically-elected Secretary General. Morris Wolff, from the United States, was chosen as the first Secretary General in 1960, and established the first permanent international office for AIESEC in Geneva, Switzerland. Over the following decade, AIESEC expanded to eastern Asia, Australia, and deeper within Europe, Africa, North America, and South America, having a presence in 43 countries by 1969. 

 

Today

As of 2014, AIESEC has since expanded to 127 countries and territories across the globe. AIESEC annually offers over 27,500 leadership positions and delivers over 500 leadership conferences to its membership of over 100,000 students. It is present in over 2,400 universities in its 125 member countries and territories across the globe and its international exchange program that enables over 27,500 students and recent graduates the opportunity to work or volunteer in another country. AIESEC is supported by over 8,000 partner organizations.