We are a Youth Leadership Movement

We are passionately driven by one cause: peace and fulfillment of humankind's potential

What is AIESEC?
AIESEC is a global platform for young people to explore and develop their leadership potential. We are a 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 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 organization can be seen through our alumni who represent business, NGO and world leaders, including one Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Martti Atisaari of Finland.
What does AIESEC stand for?
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 organization. Members of AIESEC are known as “AIESECers.”
Youth Run
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 organization spans over 110 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.
Independent & Non-Political
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 recognized by UNESCO.
Origins
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 over 110 countries and territories.
Who can be an AIESECer?
Anyone who believes in the AIESEC vision, supports the mission of AIESEC, and lives by the AIESEC values is a part of the youth leadership movement, and hence is an AIESECer. They can be our partners who relate to our organizational values and vision, or it can be our parents who constantly support us to give our best to our leadership development journeys.
OUR UNIQUE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT MODEL
AIESEC’s leadership development model seeks to prepare youth to take a stand on what they care about and embody the AIESEC values for long-lasting impact.
  • Activating Leadership: We lead by example and inspire leadership through actions and results. We take responsibility for developing the leadership of others we live it by inspiring others to be role models.
  • Acting Sustainably: We act in a sustainable way for our society. Our decisions take into account the needs of future generations we live it by building on what has been done in the past.
  • Striving for Excellence:We continuously improve through creativity and innovation. We strive to deliver the highest quality performance in everything we do we live it by encouraging each other to be better and appreciating each others' feedback.
  • Acting Sustainably: We act in a sustainable way for our society. Our decisions take into account the needs of future generations we live it by building on what has been done in the past.
  • Self Aware: Understands personal strengths, lives by his/her values and constantly explores passions.