Why we do what we do?
What is AIESEC?
AIESEC is the world’s largest youth-run organization. Active in over 1,700 universities across more than 113 countries and territories with 86,000 members around the world, our international platform enables young people to explore and develop their leadership potential for them to have a positive impact in society. We are able to do this by providing our members with an integrated experience comprised of leadership opportunities, international internships and participation in a global learning environment. This is the best personal and professional development experience currently available to university students worldwide.
AIESEC is a global, non-political, independent, not-for-profit organization 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 race, color, gender, sexual orientation, creed, religion, national ethnic or social origin.
AIESEC History
AIESEC was founded 1948 after the second World War as a means to create understanding among people from different nations and enable a new generation of leaders envisioning a better world. Today, after more than 60 years, we continue to enable youth to explore and develop their potential to have a positive impact in society. In the early years of the Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales* (AIESEC), activities regarding exchange consisted of traineeships, study tours and the exchange of information on studies.
Traineeships were organized during the months of November or December through careful selections by the ‘local committees’ (groups of AIESEC members) and training occurred during the following summer.
‘Receiving Committee’ members of the host country played a role, completing the whole experience by serving as a point of contact for trainees with the economic and cultural life of the locality.
Efforts by the association for better organization could also be witnessed after the congress in Copenhagen (1952) addressing uniform procedures and employment contracts for exchange. * Note: Nowadays, the french acronym AIESEC is no longer used by the organization, since in the history AIESEC expanded to other backgrounds different to Economic and Commercial Sciences. Please use AIESEC simply as is.
AIESEC Value
Activating Leadership
We lead by example and inspire leadership through our activities. We take full responsibility for developing the youth leadership potential of our members.
Demonstrating Integrity
We are consistent and transparent in our decisions and actions. We fulfill our commitments and conduct ourselves in a way that is true to our ideals.
Living Diversity
We seek to learn from the different ways of life and opinions represented in our multicultural environment. We respect and actively encourage the contribution of every individual.
Enjoying Participation
We create a dynamic environment created by active and enthusiastic participation of individuals. We enjoy being involved in AIESEC.
Striving for Exellence
We aim to deliver the highest quality performance in everything we do. Through creativity and innovation we seek to continuously improve
Acting Sustainably
We act in a way that is sustainable for our organization and society. Our decisions take into account the needs of future generations.
AIESEC in Number
Check out some interesting facts and figures about AIESEC below.
AIESEC is present across the globe in 124 countries and territories and expanding as we speak. If you are interested in setting up AIESEC in your country please contact the AIESEC International office.
Since our founding in 1948 AIESEC has grown our alumni network to more than one million young and senior professionals that aim to have a positive impact in their organisations and communities the world over.
8,000Partner OrganisationsAIESEC partners with more than 8000 organisations globally. These organisations range from NGO's, universities, youth networks to some of the worlds most progressive corporations.
AIESEC places more than 22,500 students in volunteer project based experiences in large parts of the developed and developing world. Each internship aims to educate our volunteers in world issues, community development and understanding new cultures.
AIESEC places more than 5000 students and recent graduates in professional internships in organisations that range from multi-national corporations to start-ups to social impact businesses each and every single year.
Conferences annually AIESEC co-ordinates more than 500 conferences to educate our members and local communities on topics such as marketing, global issues, youth leadership, management and cross-cultural understanding.
Annually, 27,500 young people step up to the challenge of leading teams of young people at university, county and international level.
AIESEC currently has 100,000 young people taking part in life changing team experiences every year.
AIESEC is present at 2400 of the worlds top universities, enabling students to complement their university education with practical leadership and team experiences.
AIESEC has 780 Local Committees based out of universities in more than 500 cities and towns across 5 continents.
AIESEC was founded over 65 years ago and is the only organisation in the world to have such a long tenure whilst being a purely youth-led.