History of AIESEC

What began in 1948 as an organization to help develop "friendly relations" between member countries
is now a global association with activities in 107 different countries and territories.

AIESEC International

AIESEC (pronounced - eye-sek) is a French acronym that stands for Association Internationale
des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales, or International Association of Students in Economic and Commercial Sciences. However, our focus has grown to encompass a much wider range of disciplines. AIESEC was founded in 1948 as a means to rebuild ties between the war-torn European countries in the aftermath of WWII. At that time, Europe was in a state of economic devastation and an entire generation of leaders was lost.

But perhaps worse than the physical damage was the hatred and bitterness that the war had produced. It was a hard time to sell the idea of cultural understanding. An organization was needed to bridge the gap, to bring the people of Europe into harmony. European students
believed that they were charged with a responsibility to increase international understanding
and cooperation. With this, AIESEC was given life in March, 1949 at a conference that was held
in Stockholm, Sweden. Representatives from seven European countries: Belgium, Denmark,
Finland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden officially founded AIESEC.

AIESEC US

AIESEC United States was started in 1958 at Columbia University, which later became the office
for the National Committee. The post-WWII industrial economic boom allowed businesses to participate in new international education related programs, and AIESEC quickly spread across
the country. As the number of Local Communities grew, AIESEC United States established the
four regions: Northeast, South, Central, and West and appointed directors to oversee the
regions' operations.

Today, AIESEC United States has committed itself to the increase of creating the best exchange program in the world and developing quality global leaders. We are forging into the 21 st century with 36 Local Communities who work hard to keep the original values of the organization, while facing new global challenges.

Over the past 60 years, AIESEC has been molded and shaped by the changing world.

Famous Alums

Government Heads of State

Helmut Kohl, Chancellor of Germany
Aleksander Kwasniewski, President of Poland
Janez Drnovsek, President of Slovenia
Alec Erwin, Minister of Trade and Industry, South Africa
Martii Ahtisaari, President of Finland
Borislav Skegro, Vice Prime Minister of Croatia
Johannes Stauch, Consul General of South Africa
Cavaco Silva, Prime Minister of Portugal

Civil Servants

Nerses Eritsian, Head of Monetary Policy Department at the Central Bank of Armenia
Cesar Gaviria, Secretary General of the Organisation of American States
Enrique Iglesias, President of the Inter-American Development Bank
Adolfo Thaylardhat, Executive General Director of National Council of Investment Promotion [CONAPRI]
Mr Paelinck, CEO of five major banks in Belgium and
                   General Secretary of the European Federation of Stock Exchanges
Dr Martin Indyk, US Ambassador to Israel

Business Leaders

John Neill, Group Chief Executive, Unipart
Andrija Kojakovic, CEO, Industry of Nafta-INA
Michael Smith, CEO, Land's End
R Behrens, MD, Hunt Lascaris TBWA
NA Binefell, Director, Wits Business School
N Magamola, Senior Partner, Reebok South Africa
Willie Ramashaba, Business leader and publisher of Black Business Portfolio
Israel Skosana, Director, National Sorgum Breweries
Gerhard Heiberg, Partner, Norscan Consulting; President, Lillehammer Olympics

AIESEC Today

AIESEC is the largest international student-run organization worldwide with more than 800 local committees in over 107 countries/territories. Our goal is to develop the leaders and change agents of tomorrow. In order to achieve this goal, AIESEC focuses on running an exchange program that emphasises cultural understanding and personal development.

Today, more than 35,000 students internationally work voluntarily for AIESEC to reach this goal. What is special about AIESEC is our worldwide network. This network offers endless chances for our members, trainees, and partner companies.

We enable students, members, and trainees to develop themselves by actively helping to create the future of our society through intensive international and corporate cooperation. Furthermore, AIESEC addresses socio-political topics that are relevant to our future. We try to discuss these issues both in conferences and through local cultural activities.