SAO PAULO, August 5, 2008—Over 700 young people will gather in Brazil from the 21st-30th August for the International Congress of the world’s largest youth run organisation. AIESEC will be hosting the annual International Congress in Sao Paulo for the first time, recognising Brazil ’s emergence as a front runner in sustainability

Celebrating 60 years of developing leadership, the AIESEC International Congress will connect young people with some of the world’s most experienced and effective leaders to explore the challenges and opportunities of a sustainable future. The Congress is an opportunity for young people to challenge their preconceptions and options and become agents of positive change.

For the first time in 60 years, International Congress will be hosted in Latin America. Juan Cajiao, President of the AIESEC network, is pleased to welcome the AIESEC Community to Sao Paulo “ Brazil is a front runner in utilising the entrepreneurial spirit of young people to drive development and sustainability. We will capture some of that spirit, equipping young people across the world to create positive change in their societies.”

The Congress will be opened by Marina Silva, Brazil’s Environment Minister from 2003-2008, and will address the role of young people in leading a sustainable global future.

This year, AIESEC International Congress is hosting the ‘Youth Davos’, with speakers including Augusto Lopez Claros, Eduardo Rodriguez Veltze and Fábio Barbosa. The workshops and panels of Learning Networks Day will cover pressing issues in the areas of Energy, Technology, Finance, Corporate Social Responsibility and HIV/AIDS.
Together with DPWN/DHL, Artemisia and Instituto de Empresa, the 60th anniversary celebrations will use cutting edge open space technology to connect over 1,100 AIESEC members, partners and alumni to define their vision for a sustainable future.

The ten-day annual congress will kick off on August 21st with AIESEC’s famous Global Village, showcasing the cultures, customs and diversity of 100 countries around the globe for the citizens of Sao Paolo.

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Notes to Editor
About AIESEC
AIESEC is the international platform for young people to discover and develop their potential.  Present in over 1100 universities and encompassing over 28,000 members, AIESEC is the world’s largest youth-run organization.  Focusing on providing a platform for leadership development, AIESEC offers over 6500 leadership opportunities each year, in addition to over 4400 international internship opportunities annually. 

Broadcast-standard video available
For broadcast-standard video supporting this press release, please visit www.thenewsmarket.com/aiesec.  If you are a first-time user, please take a moment to register. In case you have any questions, please email journalisthelp@thenewsmarket.com
For further information and media enquires please contact:

AIESEC in Brazil Camila Bacchi Email: camilabacchi@aiesec.org.br Mobile: +55 11 5549 4880

AIESEC International Lucy Symons Email:  lucys@ai.aiesec.org Office: +31 10 443 4383

Commissioner Verheugen to speak at event

BRUSSELS, June 18, 2008—Brussels will be transported in time as it hosts AIESEC’s 60th anniversary celebrations June 27 – 29, 2008.  Established in 1948 by seven European countries—i ncluding Belgium,—AIESEC’s aim was to foster cultural understanding amongst nations, a similar dream to the would-be European Union.

Over 150 elite business leaders along with past and present AIESEC members will gather for this event in Brussels, which was the home of AIESEC’s international secretariat for many decades.

European Commission Vice President for Enterprise and Industry, Gunter Verheugen will speak about the role of Europe today at the opening of the event in the Crowne Plaza Brussels, on June 28, 2008.

Other speakers at the event include Jermyn Brooks, former Executive Director and CFO of Transparency International and former Senior Partner, PwC, along with Jean-Jacque Graisse, AIESEC alumnus and former Senior Deputy Executive Director for the UN World Food Program.

An atmosphere of nostalgia is the aim on Saturday June 28 as some of AIESEC’s founders take the stage to reminisce about how they formed the organization in post-war Europe, and the challenges they had in doing so. 

At the heart of where the European Union now stands will be a celebration of a dream come true—c ultural understanding, peace and cooperation between nations, a modest dream of seven European students back in post-war 1948.  Their vision for the future took shape into AIESEC—now the world’s largest youth-run organization—where they organized international work exchanges to give students the opportunity to experience living and in another country.

“Once upon a time,” remembers AIESEC co-founder, Jean Choplin, “speaking of the very early days, some young minds, young business students, felt that time had come after a terrible war to devote their intelligence and energy and imagination to the promotion of peace through true international understanding.  The AIESEC vision was born as an original and at the time unique kind of contribution for international understanding.”

Jean Choplin remembers what it was like to set up AIESEC’s exchange program back at that time, “ Having labor permits for foreign students was unbelievable. Having Albert Kaltenhaler as a German representing the foreign students and making the speech at the Chamber of Commerce in 1951 was something extraordinary, I mean the war had ended five years before!”

During its 60 years of history AIESEC has been committed to enhance understanding among nations, and has been able to do so successfully. “Our organization has a rich history—from seven people in seven European countries 60 years ago to now 800,000 alumni, presence in 100 countries and with 28,000 members. AIESEC has grown a long way over these 60 years and we look forward to celebrating these memories and impacts AIESEC has had on the world throughout 2008,” said Gabriela Albescu, President of AIESEC International.

Today AIESEC has grown into a leading platform for young people to truly discover their leadership potential—and a real training ground for the world’s next influential leaders.

The 60th anniversary will be celebrated throughout the globe in 2008 in four regional events (Tokyo – March, Budapest – May, Brussels – June and Brazil – August) as well as more than 60 national events throughout AIESEC’s 100-country network.  For more information on the 60th anniversary please visit http://www.aiesec.org/60.

- END -

About AIESEC
AIESEC is the international platform for young people to discover and develop their potential.  Present in over 1100 universities and encompassing over 28,000 members, AIESEC is the world’s largest youth-run organization.  Focusing on providing a platform for leadership development, AIESEC offers over 6500 leadership opportunities each year, in addition to over 4400 international internship opportunities annually. 

Broadcast-standard video available

For broadcast-standard video supporting this press release, please visit www.thenewsmarket.com/aiesec .  If you are a first-time user, please take a moment to register. In case you have any questions, please email journalisthelp@thenewsmarket.com

 

For general media information:

AIESEC in Belgium Jachim Gobien Congress Committee Vice President Media Email: jachim.gobien@aiesec.net Mobile: +32(0)474.86.98.65 Website: http://www.aiesec.be/anniversary/

AIESEC International Michelle Gallant Vice President Communication Email:  michelleg@ai.aiesec.org Office:  +31 (0) 10 443 4383  Mobile:  +31 (0) 6 2539 2446

BUDAPEST (May 11, 2008)—European business leaders gathered in Budapest this weekend to celebrate AIESEC’s diamond anniversary—founded by members from seven European countries now 60 years ago.

The weekend meeting was a culmination of reminiscing, celebration and reconnecting to the valuable network that AIESEC provides its members and alumni. 
The event started on Friday evening where delegates were welcomed to one of the most notable landmarks in Hungary, the national parliament building. The Hungarian State Secretary of International Affairs, Katalin Bogyay addressed the crowd about the importance of intercultural dialogue and cooperation, which organizations such as AIESEC addresses.  Although not an AIESEC alumna herself, Bogyay noted that she could see very strongly the importance of the AIESEC network.

AIESEC co-founder, Jean Choplin added to the nostalgic atmosphere of the evening by sharing a bit about his dream of establishing such an organization a reality.  From seven European countries to now 100 across five continents, AIESEC has grown quite significantly since the dream came into conception in 1948.
“Once upon a time,” he remembers, “speaking of the very early days, some young minds, young business students, felt that time had come after a terrible war to devote their intelligence and energy and imagination to the promotion of peace through true international understanding.  The AIESEC vision was born as an original and at the time unique kind of contribution for international understanding.”

Former President of Poland (1995 – 2005) and AIESEC alumnus, Alekander Kwasniewski was meant to attend the event but had to cancel at the last minute due to personal obligations.  In a personal letter read out at the event, he expressed his fond memories of his time in AIESEC.
“I still remember with strong emotion my first internship in Wuppertal in 1977.  It was a great experience and practice for me; there were also many meetings with young people from around the world.  I have met many long-time friends thanks to AIESEC.”
Kwasniewski also expressed his belief in the current members of AIESEC, and the need of focus on young people when looking to the future,
“I have always stressed –as a young activist, politician and finally as the President of Poland – that every pursuit to reshape and change our world must include young people.  Furthermore, these changes should in fact rely on young people – on their vitality, energy and creativity.  Present day youngsters will be decision makers of the future:  in the field of social politic, economic, international relations and so on.  In these aspects the education, experience and attitude of young people – shaped and improved due to an activity with AIESEC – are of particular importance,” he said.

The sentiments of Kwasniewski were echoed by the 150 alumni present at the event.  Discussions continued on Saturday when delegates heard an ‘outside’ perspective on the role Europe has played over the last half a century, and later reflected on what the external trends meant for AIESEC at the time.
Director of the Tallberg Forum, Alexander Crawford spoke about the strengths and weaknesses of Europe today.  “What I don’t see today is leadership, is a set of leaders, (not leadership in the conceptual tem but the actual individual leadership) which goes back to the sense of governance, governance is the conceptual framework if you like and leader is the person that makes this happen.”
Panel moderator, Professor Anders Aspling, Secretary General for GRLI, agreed. “I think that education and training are key issues for the future, especially the focus on leadership.”< /p>AIESEC is certainly up to taking that challenge, while providing a platform for youth to become globally responsible leaders, making a positive change on society.
So while AIESEC is a breeding ground for the worlds future leaders, it is also a network of global change agents from its 60 years of existence—a network that amounts to nearly 800,000 across now 100 countries.  One of the aims of the 60th anniversary throughout 2008 is to reconnect this network, to help inspire and initiate positive change in society.

The 60th anniversary will be celebrated throughout the globe in 2008 in four regional events (Tokyo – March, Budapest – May, Brussels – June and Brazil – August) as well as more than 60 national events throughout AIESEC’s 100-country network.  For more information on the 60th anniversary please visit http://www.aiesec.org/60.
- END -

About AIESEC
AIESEC is the international platform for young people to discover and develop their potential.  Present in over 1100 universities and encompassing over 28,000 members, AIESEC is the world’s largest youth-run organization.  Focusing on providing a platform for leadership development, AIESEC offers over 6500 leadership opportunities each year, in addition to over 4400 international internship opportunities annually. 

Broadcast-standard video available
For broadcast-standard video supporting this press release, please visit www.thenewsmarket.com/aiesec .  If you are a first-time user, please take a moment to register. In case you have any questions, please email journalisthelp@thenewsmarket.com

For general media information:

AIESEC in Hungary Viktória Nagy, Vice President Communication Email: viktoria.nagy@aiesec.net Phone: + 36 20 326 5772

AIESEC International Michelle Gallant, Vice President Communication Email:  michelleg@ai.aiesec.org Office:  +31 (0) 10 443 4383  Mobile:  +31 (0) 6 2539 2446

5 May 2008, Abu Dhabi , UAE: Abu Dhabi Women’s College hosted the AIESEC MENA Symposium on Thursday, 1st May, on the ADWC campus.
AIESEC is the world’s largest student-run organization, encompassing over 28,000 members in over 1,100 universities worldwide. AIESEC provides the platform for leadership development for young people by offering over 5,000 leadership opportunities each year in addition to over 4,400 international internship opportunities for its members. AIESEC activates leaders and creates a network of change agents that have a positive impact on society. AIESEC signed an MOU with the Higher Colleges of Technology in November 2007 in order to increase the number of global opportunities for all HCT students.
The theme for the AIESEC MENA Symposium 2008 was “Talent Attraction and Development in the Middle East and North Africa.” The event provided a forum for young people to meet with HR representatives from across the Middle East and North Africa to discuss the challenges for employers and potential employees in the region and to consider possible solutions to those challenges.

"I see a considerable gap and some miscommunication between the rapidly changing young generations and the corporate world,” stated Stella Grancheva, President of AIESEC UAE. “Such a gap results in a disproportionate talent market and creates frustration in young people who are searching for relevant career opportunities and the HR professionals who are trying to ensure that the proper talent is recruited for their organizations. Most HR gatherings fail to resolve this simply because they do not ensure equal participation of both parties -- the talent and the employers. This recognition is exactly what makes the AIESEC MENA Symposium unique – it is a platform where talent and the corporate world meet to enter into a real two-party discussion to identify sustainable approaches for talent attraction and development."

Over 100 participants attended the symposium, including delegates from Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan and Iran. Participants contributed to panel discussions and workshops on topics such as “Defining Employer of Choice,” “Developing Talent” and “What Makes Employing Arab Women Different.” Students met with industry leaders and were able to present their points of view on these topics as well as discuss ways which employers could better meet the needs and expectations of potential employees from the Gulf Region.
“AIESEC consistently seeks to promote the leadership potential of young people and this symposium is another example of the organization’s commitment to this region,” noted Dr. Brad Cook, Director of ADWC.  “Challenging young people to discuss the HR issues which may very well affect them as they graduate and move into the job market is an excellent way to encourage responsible career decisions.”

The Platinum Partner for the AIESEC MENA Symposium 2008 is Manpower. The Gold Partner is DHL. The Founding Partner of the AIESEC chapter in Abu Dhabi is Abu Dhabi 2030 Research and Development. For more information on AIESEC, please visit www. aiesec.org.
Abu Dhabi Women’s College is part of the Higher Colleges of Technology. All media references to the organization should be noted as the Higher Colleges of Technology’s Abu Dhabi Women’s College or Abu Dhabi Women’s College of HCT. For more information on the college’s activities, please visit www.adwc.hct.ac.ae. For more information on the Higher Colleges of Technology, please visit www.hct.ac.ae.

Contact: Abeer Haddad Marketing and PR Phone: 02-6941347 Fax: 02-6941354

Abu Dhabi Women’s College P.O. Box 41012 Abu Dhabi, UAE www.adwc.hct.ac.ae

BUDAPEST, April 28, 2009—While the world’s sport community is focusing on Beijing, Budapest will be the host of world’s notable business leaders as being the European spot of AIESEC’s 60th anniversary celebrations May 9 – 11, 2008.

AIESEC will celebrate its 60th birthday throughout 2008 across five continents in a variety of events throughout the year.  The European event in Budapest brings together European business leaders and AIESEC alumni in an event that takes us back to post-war Europe and the founding of now the world’s largest youth-run organization.

Over 150 elite business leaders along with past and present AIESEC members will gather for this event.  Budapest will be the centre of celebration on the European continent after it was chosen over three other famous European cities to host the event.

Hungarian State Secretary for International Affairs, Katalin Bogyay will speak at the Opening Ceremony held at the Budapest House of Parliament on May 9, 2008. 

Notable AIESEC alumni who will be present at the event include Zsolt Müllner, CEO of Wallis Zrt., Zoltán Széni, HR director of Ernst & Young and Fernando Mendes, founder of five venture businesses in Portugal and Mozambique.

The aim of the congress goes further than celebration, however. We would like to make use of the opportunities that this global organization provides, and follow the framework set 60 years ago by AIESEC’s founders: AIESEC through its members and programs has a positive impact on society.

An atmosphere of nostalgia is the aim on Saturday May 10 as some of AIESEC’s founders take the stage to reminisce about how they formed the organization in post-war Europe, and the challenges they had in doing so. 

Founder and AIESEC International President, 1949 – 1950, Jean Choplin remembers what it was like to set up AIESEC’s exchange program back at that time, “Having labor permits for foreign students was unbelievable. Having Albert Kaltenhaler as a German representing the foreign students and making the speech at the Chamber of Commerce in 1951 was something extraordinary, I mean the war had ended five years before!”

Although the event is European, delegates are coming from many countries from the United States to India. They vary in cultural, business and academic perspectives which can provide new solutions to the relevant problems of our world today. Different thinking, more experience, wider view, thus solution – this is the logic that makes the European Alumni Event so valuable.

During its 60 years of history AIESEC has been committed to enhance understanding among nations, and has been able to do so successfully. “Our organization has a rich history—f rom seven people in seven European countries 60 years ago to now 800,000 alumni, presence in 100 countries and with 28,000 members. AIESEC has grown a long way over these 60 years and we look forward to celebrating these memories and impacts AIESEC has had on the world throughout 2008,” said Gabriela Albescu, President of AIESEC International.

Founded in 1948 after the Second World War by seven European countries, AIESEC strived towards peace and cultural understanding amongst war-torn Europe by running an international work exchange program.  Today AIESEC has grown into a leading platform for young people to truly discover their leadership potential—and a real training ground for the world’s next influential leaders.

The 60th anniversary will be celebrated throughout the globe in 2008 in four regional events (Tokyo – March, Budapest – May, Brussels – June and Brazil – August) as well as more than 60 national events throughout AIESEC’s 100-country network.  For more information on the 60th anniversary please visit http://www.aiesec.org/60.

- END -

About AIESEC
AIESEC is the international platform for young people to discover and develop their potential.  Present in over 1100 universities and encompassing over 28,000 members, AIESEC is the world’s largest youth-run organization.  Focusing on providing a platform for leadership development, AIESEC offers over 6500 leadership opportunities each year, in addition to over 4400 international internship opportunities annually. 

Broadcast-standard video available

For broadcast-standard video supporting this press release, please visit www.thenewsmarket.com/aiesec .  If you are a first-time user, please take a moment to register. In case you have any questions, please email journalisthelp@thenewsmarket.com

 

For general media information:

AIESEC in Hungary Viktória Nagy Vice President Communication Email: viktoria.nagy@aiesec.net Phone: + 36 20 326 5772

AIESEC International Michelle Gallant Vice President Communication Email:  michelleg@ai.aiesec.org Office:  +31 (0) 10 443 4383  Mobile:  +31 (0) 6 2539 2446

 

Singapore (April 7, 2008)—The AIESEC Symposium, sponsored by Unilever and PricewaterhouseCoopers, was held at the Fullerton Hotel in Singapore on April 4, 2008. The one-day event centered on the theme of Youth Talent: Leadership and Innovation in Asia Pacific.

Business and AIESEC youth leaders from Asia Pacific were brought together through this Symposium. Corporations such as the Royal Bank of Scotland, Merrill Lynch, Singapore Exchange were amongst the 92 attendees at the occasion.

Ms. Gathoni Wang’ombe, SEAA Leadership Development Director of Unilever, said: “The Symposium was engaging. It was a door that opened up exchange of opinions between corporates and youth. Students want to be heard and their views need to be taken seriously. They have provided insight that there is a reason behind job-hopping: nowadays, people want to move to other companies to seek personal development.”

During the focus group sessions, corporate leaders gained insight into how youth from various parts of the Asia Pacific perceive their career, ambitions and expectations. Topics covered include the methods of attracting youth during information sessions to final year students in universities. One suggestion included having company representatives at information talks share their personal work experiences; thereby outlining the company’s values and cultures for the youth.

With Asia Pacific becoming one of the fastest growing regions, companies are seeking to attract and retain talent from this part of the world. Increasingly, companies are finding it difficult to compete for skilled talent – people who have the technical skills coupled with soft skills like leadership and communication and the ability to work with diversity. High turnover rates in corporations show that there is strong competition for talent and many youths in Asia typically spend two to three years in a company.

AIESEC previously held successful Symposiums in the Netherlands in 2006 and Egypt in 2007. Singapore was selected as the venue this year.

About AIESEC
AIESEC is the international student platform for young people to discover and develop their potential.  Present in over 100 countries and encompassing over 28,000 members, AIESEC is one of the world’s largest student organizations. AIESEC provides the platform for leadership development for young people by offering over 6500 leadership opportunities each year, in addition to over 4400 international internship opportunities for its members.  AIESEC is an organization that activates leaders, creating a network of change agents that have a positive impact on society. AIESEC in Singapore consists of undergraduate members from the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and the Singapore Management University.
###

For more information, please contact:

Cheryl Chen
National Branding and Communications Coordinator
AIESEC in Singapore

Email: cheryl.chen@aiesec.net
Phone: +65 9654 9456
Web: www.aiesec.org/singapore

Panel includes TOYOTA, SONY GM’s and Senior Advisor of the UN

 

EVENT: Discussion panel on the role of companies in sustainability featuring leading executives from within Asia-Pacific.

The discussion, entitled “Environment Initiatives by Companies,” marks AIESEC’s 60 years of activitating leadership across the region and will be attended by 150 AIESEC alumni, 200 youths from across Asia-Pacific and the current President of AIESEC International, Gabriela Albescu.

WHO:

• Tachi Kiuchi; E-Square CEO (moderator)
• Hidehiko Tajima; TOYOTA GM, CSR & Environmental Affairs Division
• Hidemi Tomita; SONY GM, Corporate Social & Environmental Affairs;
• Frederic C. Dubée; Senior Advisor of United Nations (Global Compact)
• Nobuo Tanaka; Executive Director of International Energy Agency
• Yotaro Kobayashi; Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Board of Advisor, AIESEC in Japan
• Koichi Kaneda; Daiwa Securities Group GM, CSR Promotion Department
• Naoki Aso; Asahi Beer GM CSR Department
• Anthony Hayward, co-founder, the Newsmarket

 

WHERE: Keidanren Kaikan (1-9-4 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku) Tokyo, Japan

WHEN:  22 March, 2008, 15:30 – 16:30

 

NOTES TO EDITORS
Founded in 1948 after the Second World War by seven European countries, AIESEC strived towards peace and cultural understanding amongst war-torn Europe by running an international work exchange program.  Today AIESEC has grown into a leading platform for young people to truly discover their leadership potential—and a real training ground for the world’s next influential leaders.

AIESEC’s 60th anniversary will be celebrated throughout the globe this year in four regional events (Tokyo – March, Budapest – May, Brussels – June and Brazil – August) as well as more than 60 national events throughout AIESEC’s more than 100-country network.  For more information on the 60th anniversary please visit http://www.aiesec.org/60/

ABOUT AIESEC
AIESEC is the international student platform for young people to discover and develop their potential.  Present in over 1100 universities and encompassing over 28,000 members, AIESEC is one of the world’s largest youth organizations.  Focusing on providing a platform for leadership development, AIESEC offers over 65            00 leadership opportunities each year, in addition to over 4400 international internship opportunities for youth.  AIESEC is an organization that activates leaders, creating a culture of change agents that have a positive impact on society.

For media information:
Michelle Gallant
Vice President Communication, AIESEC International
Email:  michelleg@ai.aiesec.org
Office:  +31 (0) 10 443 4383      
Web:     www.aiesec.org

Ohrid, Macedonia, FYRO – (20th February, 2008) – Juan Cajiao has been newly elected as the President for AIESEC International for the term 2008-09.

Originally from Costa Rica, Juan is the current Director of Ibero America on AIESEC International. He has been working for five years with AIESEC and has held various leadership roles on the national and international level.

With a background in Industrial Engineering, Juan’s vision for the future is to have his own consultancy firm, which will also lend support to NGOs and SMEs and provide opportunities for young talents. He see’s his term as President of AIESEC International, providing him with the skills required to achieve his future goals. While Juan’s term officially starts on August 1st 2008, he is currently involved in the selection of the rest of his team.

Juan was elected against two other candidates during the elections that took place at the International Presidents Meeting 2008 at Ohrid in Macedonia, FYRO. This conference is one of the AIESEC’s annual international conferences, where over 200 leaders from 103 country/territory chapters of AIESEC come together to elect AIESEC’s new global team as well as develop global strategies for the new term.

About AIESEC
AIESEC is the international student platform for young people to discover and develop their potential.  Present in over 800 universities and encompassing over 22,000 members, AIESEC is recognized by the United Nations as the worlds largest student organization.  Focusing on leadership development, AIESEC offers over 5000 leadership opportunities each year to facilitate the Global Internship Program, which sees the exchange of over 4000 students each year to live and work in another country.  AIESEC is an organization that activates leaders, creating a network of global change agents that have a positive impact on society.
This year, 2008, we celebrate the 60th anniversary of AIESEC and 55th anniversary of AIESEC in Macedonia, FYRO as well as the 50th International Presidents Meeting.

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For media information:
Michelle Gallant
Vice President Communication
AIESEC International
Phone: +31 10 443 4383
Email: michelleg@ai.aiesec.org
www.aiesec.org

SKOPJE , Macedonia, FYRO  ( 17 February, 2008 )—This week marks the start of AIESEC’s annual International Presidents Meeting (IPM)—a gathering of 200 student leaders from across 100 countries. 

The 10-day meeting, running February 18 – 27, 2008 will be held in Ohrid and hosted for the first time in the history by Macedonia, FYRO. 

IPM 2008 brings together current and future AIESEC country leaders and starts with the core: facilitating contact between young talented individuals who work together to fulfil the ambition of AIESEC as an organization. During IPM 2008 they will decide upon worldwide AIESEC policies and elect the global organization leaders. Through workshops, trainings and obtaining knowledge they are prepared for their leadership roles.  This conference will also see the election of the new international leadership for the next year.

Highlights of the conference include:

Global Village
Date:    Monday February 18
Time:    11:00 – 15:00
Location:           “Macedonia, FYRO” square in Skopje
Description:
The 200 IPM participants from over 100 countries will show a display of cultures, national dances and music, food, and drinks to the visitors. Artistic performances will be also organized, with some of the most popular Macedonian musicians and performers (Adrijan Gadja, Jovan Jovanov, Elvir Mekik, Robert Bilbilov, etc.)

Official Ceremony
Date:     Monday February 18
Time:  17:00 – 19:00
Location: Hotel Alexandar Palace, Skopje
Description:
The Official opening Ceremony kick starts the ten-day conference.  Key note speakers include Mr. Erwan Fouere, Special Representative of the EU commission in Macedonia, FYRO and Ms. Elena Dojranska - Slabev, Administration Officer at Cosmofon, the general partner for the Global Village event.

Debate during election process for the next President of AIESEC International
Date:    Tuesday February 19
Time:    20:00 – 21:30
Location: Hotel Metropol in Ohrid
Description:
Candidates running for the position of President for AIESEC International in the next term, JohnJo Ryan, current President of AIESEC in the United Kingdom and Juan Cajiao and Robert Parkinson, both Directors on the AIESEC International team will be debating together with other global leaders.

The event will also bring together leaders from other youth based organizations, including JCI, The International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences and European Students of Technology. The topic for the debate will be "The role of youth in the world transformation" – which is apt as AIESEC's intent is to enable young people to discover and develop their potential to provide leadership to have a positive impact in society.

The debate aims to showcase the knowledge the Presidential candidates have about the topic, as well as serve as input for the voting countries that constitute AIESEC.  The AIESEC International President for the 2008-2009 term will be elected on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 

IPM is supported by AIESEC’s partners on global level, including ABN Amro, Cadbury Schweppes, KPMG, InBev, Procter & Gamble, Tata Consultancy Services, whose representatives will be attending the Meeting. Also, representatives from Macedonian partners and supporters will take part in the meeting, such as the American Embassy, Cosmofon, European Commission, City of Skopje, PricewaterhouseCoopers, HP, Komercijalna Banka, and many others.  Media support and coverage is provided by Eurolinija, New Moment, Kapital, A1, Vreme, Spic, Koha, City Radio, Metropolis, Club FM, and Antenna 5.

 

About AIESEC
AIESEC is the international student platform for young people to discover and develop their potential.  Present in over 800 universities and encompassing over 22,000 members, AIESEC is recognized by the United Nations as the worlds largest student organization.  Focusing on leadership development, AIESEC offers over 5000 leadership opportunities each year to facilitate the Global Internship Program, which sees the exchange of over 4000 students each year to live and work in another country.  AIESEC is an organization that activates leaders, creating a network of global change agents that have a positive impact on society.

This year, 2008, we celebrate the 60th anniversary of AIESEC and 55th anniversary of AIESEC in Macedonia, FYRO as well as the 50th International Presidents Meeting.

 

-30-

For media information:

Olivera Aritonoska
International Presidents Meeting Marketing and PR Officer
Mobile: +389 (0)70 824 240
E-mail: olivera@aiesec.org.mk
URL: www.ipm.org.mk

Michelle Gallant
Vice President Communication
AIESEC International
Mobile: +389 (0) 72 519 031
Email: michelleg@ai.aiesec.org
www.aiesec.org

ROTTERDAM, NL (February 6, 2008) – In a few weeks, over 200 young leaders will gather to elect the President of one of the world’s largest student run organizations, AIESEC.

Three candidates will be running for the elections of AIESEC International’s next President, which will take place during AIESEC’s annual International Presidents Meeting in Macedonia, FYRO from February 18 – February 27, 2008.

Two of the Presidential candidates are from the current AIESEC International Team and include Robert Parkinson and Juan Cajiao, who are both Directors of AIESEC International. The third candidate, JohnJo Ryan, is the current President of AIESEC in the United Kingdom.

Robert Parkinson is the current Director of Western Europe and North America on AIESEC International. He has been working for four years with AIESEC, taking numerous responsibilities and leadership roles at the local, national and international level. He is very proud of the leadership that he is inspired in other young people during his work with AIESEC, particularly in Thailand, where he worked for one year to coach AIESEC in Thailand. Today, Robert is running for President is because he believes that this is a unique role at a unique time in the world, and he believes in taking on valuable opportunities such as this that add uniqueness to himself and his experience.

 

Juan Cajiao is the current Director of Ibero America on AIESEC International. He has been working for five years with AIESEC and has held various leadership roles on the national and international level. Juan is 28 years old and has been working with dynamic and competitive organizations since he was 10. He is running for President of AIESEC International because he believes that AIESEC was born to be a legendary organization and in the next one year, he would like to experience AIESEC increasing its achievement levels and leave AIESEC with a concrete legacy.

 

JohnJo Ryan is the current President of AIESEC in the United Kingdom. JohnJo has been working for AIESEC UK since 2004 and has been involved in several local and national leadership teams, as well as a number of global support teams for AIESEC. JohnJo is running for President because he believes that he can make the impact that is needed for the organization to reach its vision for the year 2010, and it would help him achieve his personal dreams by preparing him with the most challenging experience of his life

Elections will begin on February 19 with candidate speeches, question and answer sessions and a panel discussion. The final voting and announcement of the President of AIESEC International for the 2008-2009 term will be made on February 20, 2008.

Oxford UK and Rotterdam NL, 21 January 2008 - A new survey of the ‘Digital Generation’ has been launched today by AIESEC, the world’s largest student-run organisation, in partnership with workplace experts Career Innovation. The research will track people’s use of new technology, analyse their motivation and enable students to find out about careers that match their profile. It is based on young people's increasing expectation that work should be fun as well as well-paid.

LONDON, January 15, 2008—This week AIESEC—the world’s largest student organization—launched a year-long celebration of activating youth leadership, in honour of the organization’s 60th birthday.

The festivities were kicked off in London at AIESEC International’s annual partner’s dinner, hosted this year by career and education network, QS Ltd. and it is just one of a string of events AIESEC plans on running throughout the year.  The launch in London featured keynote speeches from Paul Bachelor, former Managing Partner of PwC and Nunzio Quacquarelli, Managing Director of QS Ltd and an AIESEC alumnus.

“Our organization has a rich history—from seven people in seven European countries 60 years ago to now 800,000 alumni, presence in 100 countries and with 28,000 members. AIESEC has grown a long way over these 60 years and we look forward to celebrating these memories and impacts AIESEC has had on the world throughout 2008,” said Gabriela Albescu, President of AIESEC International.

Founded in 1948 after the Second World War by seven European countries, AIESEC strived towards peace and cultural understanding amongst war-torn Europe by running an international work exchange program.  Today AIESEC has grown into a leading platform for young people to truly discover their leadership potential—and a real training ground for the world’s next influential leaders.

The 60th anniversary will be celebrated throughout the globe this year in four regional events (Tokyo – March, Budapest – May, Brussels – June and Brazil – August) as well as more than 60 national events throughout AIESEC’s 100-country network.  For more information on the 60th anniversary please visit http://www.aiesec.org/60/ .

For media information:

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AIESEC International
Michelle Gallant
Vice President Communication
+31 10 443 4383
michelleg@ai.aiesec.org