AIESEC
The AIESEC logo
Recently, I had an interesting meeting with a couple of representatives of an international student organization: AIESEC.
AIESEC, (pronounced “aie-sek”), stands for ”Association internationale des étudiants en sciences économiques et commerciales” or “International Economic and Commercial Sciences Students Association”.
They explained to me some background information about the organization:
It is one of the largest student organizations in the world, (they claim to be the largest “student run” organization in the world), with over 60,000 members, in over 2100 universities, in 110 countries and territories. AIESEC’s main aim is “to develop friendly relations among nations and peoples.” It organizes a range of conferences, seminars and training courses but the main tool used in achieving this goal is its international student exchange programme and internships, (in both commercial firms and non-profit organizations). In their own words, AIESEC gives “young people the opportunity to discover and develop their potential and contribute positively to society“.
The organization sprang from initiatives back in the 1930’s when representatives from schools across Europe exchanged information about various programmes and schools which specialized in business and economics. Some international internships were arranged, but these tended to be on an informal basis, and the Second World War limited the range of possibilities to those offered in neutral countries.
AIESEC, itself, wasn’t founded until after the war, (in 1948), by representatives from Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Holland, Norway and Sweden, (although a fledging organization had been established in Stockholm in 1944). It wasn’t until 1960, however, that they had their first permanent headquarters, (in Geneva, Switzerland), although they have since relocated to Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
It has been recognized as an international, nongovernmental, nonprofit and nonpolitical organization.
For students and recent graduates, membership of AIESEC offers many advantages. Apart from the fellowship the experience and various activities, the advantages offered by the internships give them the opportunity to travel abroad, experience a different culture, obtain work experience (thus increasing their competitiveness in the employment market), create a broad network of contacts whilst developing both personal and professional qualities whilst, at the same time, making a contribution to the host organizations and having an impact on social trends and developments.
Former members of AIESEC have included people who went on to be business leaders, (for example of household names such as Carlsberg, Microsoft, Reebok and Unipart), politicians, (for example Helmut Kohl – former Chancellor of Germany, Janez Drnovsek – former President of Slovenia, Martii Ahtisaari – former President of Finland, Cavaco Silva – President of Portugal, and Junichiro Koizumi – former Prime Minister of Japan), civil servants and others.
For the partner organizations who accept an intern, whether a large international company or a small businesses, a non-profit organization or governmental agency, they gain the advantage of being able to attract talented young researchers, can be introduced to new working methods, establish contacts with other partners abroad, make a contribution to solving social problems in their own community, (thus raising their CSR – Commercial Social Responsibility – profile), and support the personal and professional development of their employees.
They also accept some responsibilities, such as a commitment to provide basic induction training, help with some of the formalities and paying a salary equivalent to the average salary in the host community.
Internships can last for anything from six weeks to one and a half years. And are usually based in the fields of management, (such as economics, financial and personnel management), Engineering, (for example, IT and mechanics), Education, (especially as teachers of English), and Social Work. Apparently many of the internships here in Kyrgyzstan are in Educational institutions, but there are some in commercial companies.
Of course, there is also the opportunity for Kyrgyz members of AIESEC to travel abroad. They undergo a selection process and training and when they are in the host country, the network of members there can offer them support, logistics and information as well as fellowship and companionship.
Now, as it happens, I knew most of that already. Although, as a student, (many years ago), I had never heard of the organization, a couple of years ago I was asked if I would attend a couple of training sessions that they were organizing at one of the Universities here in Bishkek.
The reason for coming to see me was that were interested in the possibility of finding opportunities for internships in the tourist industry here in Kyrgyzstan. I am not sure if we could offer one, but they had some interesting ideas and it provided food for thought.
Bishkek