Remarkable 20 Years of AIESEC Friendships

We crossed paths in Mumbai back in 2003, brought together by the AIESEC Internship Programme. Hailing from diverse corners of the globe, our group is a vibrant tapestry of continents, countries, and backgrounds. We also looked at the world in a positive way.

We were all AIESEC trainees, driven not only by the desire to advance our careers, but also by the yearning to immerse into the intricacies of Indian culture. Those days were a whirlwind, both in our professional pursuits and personal lives. While our AIESEC internships lasted only a handful of months for most, the impact of that experience has endured across time, shaping our lives to this day.

Our group gatherings generally have evolved in size over the years, yet the thread of continuity has remained unbroken. 

From Hong Kong in 2008 

to Vienna in 2010, 

then Berlin in 2013, 

Cologne in 2017, 

Berlin again in 2019, 

and then Amsterdam in 2022, our connections have thrived. 

The fruit of these connections is remarkable. Six cross-cultural marriages have blossomed while giving rise to thirteen children who effortlessly talk in multiple languages. Their friendships perpetuate our legacy into the next generation.

This upcoming New Year’s Eve, we will celebrate together in Poprad, Slovakia, 20 years of being friends. To sum up, our group shows how important AIESEC’s values and vision are because they’ve helped us to stay connected and strong over all these years.

Magda Zawodny Barabanow 

2003: Intern India 

2023: Innovation Manager at Berlin Partner

Alumni Mentor Program starts new Round 2023/24 – call for participation!

AIESEC Alumni Poland is looking for other national AIESEC Alumni associations to run the next edition of our award-winning international Alumni Mentor program together!

1st edition of Alumni Mentor took place in 2020/2021 solely in Poland, in cooperation with a people development company Kingmakers (run by AIESEC Alumni). After that we run 2 more international editions, involving SwedenUAERussiaHungaryCroatiaBelgiumCzechiaSlovakia! At European Regional Alumni Conference 2023 in Naples our program was awarded for international alumni cooperation by AIESEC Alumni Europe! Now we’re looking for more partner associations to join us in edition 2023/24!

Alumni Mentor Program

Why should your AIESEC Alumni association participate in Alumni Mentor?

  • Create a positive impact on your environment.
  • Provide a high-quality, amazing development experience to your members.
  • Promote your association and also gain new members – hanks to Alumni Mentor the membership base of AIESEC Alumni Poland tripled!

The quality of the Alumni Mentor program is ensured by:

  • Recruitment of mentors and mentees based on maturity – we are verifying application forms, checking the motivation of mentor and mentee candidates and assess their suitability for mentoring
  • Matching process – based on background, preferences and profiles described in application forms but also on LinkedIn
  • Training program for mentors and mentees – our partner Kingmakers will deliver 3 professional trainings to mentors and 1 training for mentees
  • Progress tracking of meetings because we check if the pairs really meet and work
  • Evaluations – we monitor the quality of the program, in particular, through mid-term evaluations and react if needed

Key assumptions:

  • Participants (mentors and mentees) can choose if they would like to work in mixed (international) or local pairs (native language).
  • Kingmakers is the strategic partner of the program on an international level.
  • The executive board of the AIESEC Alumni Poland will appoint a person for the International coordination.
  • Each participating national Alumni association will appoint one national coordinator who will hence organise the program on the national level.
  • Key events happen within the same timeframes and dates. All participants will join key meetings in English (especially training for mentors and mentees).
  • Only formal members of the national AIESEC Alumni associations can participate in the program meaning both mentors and mentees need to be members. Of course, each association can define its criteria for formal membership.
  • Generally, key materials like application forms, evaluation surveys, mentoring contracts are unified on the international level and will be in English.
  • We will assign mentor-mentee matching on the global level in cooperation with Kingmakers while national coordinators will participate and can provide suggestions for matching of participants coming from their countries.

Responsibilities

International coordinatorNational coordinators
– Timeframes.
– Application forms.
– Trainings for mentors and mentees.
– Mentor-mentee matching.
– Meta-mentoring sessions.
– Evaluation surveys.
– Promotion on the national level.
– Participation in matching.
– Tracking the progress of the mentoring process in pairs where the mentee comes from their country.
– Handling participants’ cases that require attention on the national level.

Timeframes

September 2023– Setup of cooperation among national AIESEC Alumni associations
– Recruitment of national coordinators
October 2023– Firstly, preparation of global templates for promotion materials
– Secondly, preparation of application forms
– Lastly, preparation of final local promotion materials
November 2023– Recruitment of mentors & mentees
– Global mandatory trainings for mentors and mentees across all countries
– Mentor-mentee matching
December 2023 – April 2024– Actual mentoring sessions
– Evaluation surveys/checkpoint such as which pairs are active (March)
– Mid-term global training for mentors (March)
– Meta-mentoring sessions for mentors (March)
May 2024– Final global training for mentors
– Final global evaluation surveys
June 2024– Global Closure Ceremony
– Certificates for mentors

Next steps

lastly, if your national AIESEC Alumni association is interested or has questions, please write to marek(at) aiesec-alumni.pl and start looking for the national coordinator!

Follow us also on LinkedIn to get the latest updates about AIESEC Alumni Mentor!

AIESEC 75 – European Celebration: Unleashing 75 Years Of Vivid Leadership

Join us for the celebration of AIESEC’s 75th anniversary in the Netherlands! This event is a regional gathering of AIESEC members and alumni from all over Europe. We will be celebrating our accomplishments and looking forward to the future of AIESEC. You don’t want to miss this exciting event!

confirmed speakers: Victor LoewensteinSimone JeukenBianka DemeterTamer Zikry

Normal tickets from 109€

Reduced tickets for active AIESECers and studying alumni: 49€ 

Register now: //bit.ly/AIESEC75Europe!

Agenda

16:00 – 16:30 Walk-in

We will welcome you and have you settle in. See and meet who else is joining us for a memorable afternoon and evening.

16:30 – 18:00 Plenary: Keynotes and Panels

Speakers will be announced soon! Guaranteed is an inspring afternoon, reflection on how far we have come as an organisation, and a look towards the future.

18:00 – 20:30 Walking Dinner

Serving you a walking dinner allowing you to enjoy the food, good conversations and absorb all the stories present in the AIESEC Alumni Network.

20:30 – 23:59 Gala

We will dance into the night and party as we are used to. You know parties in the Netherlands are a guaranteed success – so put on your dancing shoes and have a blast.

Frequently asked questions

Which hotel(s) do you recommend? 

Depending on your preferences we recommend the following hotels: – Hostel: Hostel ROOM Rotterdam (3 min. walk to venue) – Budget: Hotel Breitner (18 min. walk to venue) – Regular: Thon Hotel Rotterdam (3 min. walk to venue) – Luxe: Inntel Hotels Rotterdam Centre (9 min. walk to venue)

Until when are early bird tickets available? 

Until August 15th

What’s included in the ticket? 

The full program with interesting speakers, a dinner and a gala. Our location is an iconic building from 1851 on the banks of the Maas river with a view of the Rotterdam skyline. F&B included: aperitif, 3-course walking dinner including drinks, and snacks at the gala. 

My country does not have a formal NAA, can I stil buy the lower priced ticket ?

Yes, but only if your country has an alumni board recognized by AIESEC Alumni Europe that can confirm you as an active alumni member.

Am I allowed to buy an extra ticket for a +1? 

Yes, a +1 is allowed.

APPLY NOW for the AAE Board 2023/2025

Apply on here: //bit.ly/AAEboard23 – Deadline 15 October 2023

Common requirements for all board positions:

  • Passion and vision for AIESEC Alumni
  • AIESEC experience
  • Persistence and energy
  • Ability to travel (time & money) to three AAE meetings per year (Planning Weekend, ERAC, StepUp)
  • The board will be elected for a term of two years.
  • Residence in Europe in 2023-2025.Ability to travel to three AAE meetings per year
VP Finance 
Responsibilities 
– Develop and oversee the annual budget for AAE in collaboration with the other board members.
– Monitor the financial performance of AAE on a monthly basis and report to the board on financial status, cash flow, and budget variances.
– Ensure compliance with all financial regulations and laws.
– Ensure timely and accurate invoicing of fee share agreements.
– Be informed about AAE activities and their financial implications.
– Offer advice and guidance to the other board members on finance-related matters.
– Work with auditors to ensure accurate and timely completion of financial statements.
– Manage AAE’s bank account and process reimbursements for expenses.
– Maintain accurate financial records and ensure their confidentiality.
– Attending bi-weekly calls, planning meeting, ERAC and StepUp
Skills 
– Strong accounting and financial management skills.
– Ability to work independently and take initiative in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
– Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
– Attention to detail and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
– Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
– Risk-averse with the ability to identify potential financial risks and implement measures to mitigate them.

Additional requirement: EU citizen or Swiss National 
  
VP Communications 
Responsibilities 
– Create Communication Strategy
– Management of Social Media channels & website
– Logo and Marketing Materials
– Collect input from board for publication
– Run communication campaigns
– Gatekeeper for outside AAE communication
– Lead the communication team
Skills 
– Strong communication skills
– Outgoing, open personality
– Team leading
  
VP NAA Growth 
Responsibilities 
– Inform about status of NAAs and suggest actions
– Organisation of monthly NAA call
– Collect and share best practices
– Regular bilateral calls to NAAs and communities
– Development and maintenance of “NAA Start-up package”
– Management of communication details to NAAs and communities
– Keeping track of events of NAAs and communities
– Collect and calculate KPIs
– Lead the team of regional managers
Skills 
– Strong communication skills
– Outgoing, open personality
– Team leading
 
VP Joker?! 
Responsibilities 
What area would you like to run?   
Skills 
– Strong communication skills
– Outgoing, open personality
– Skills in desired field

ERAC – Get ready to book now!

Dear all,

ERAC takes place from 18-21 May 2023 on the island of Ischia – a ferry/ boat trip from Naples.

We will stay at the Hotel Apollon in the Miramare Sea Resort & Spa  //www.miramaresearesort.it.

The following rooms are available (3 nights):

  • Standard double room 420€ per person 
  • Superior double room 480€ per person 
  • Single room 540€

The room fee will be collected by the hotel and includes breakfast – light lunch and dinner ( with wine included) and gala dinner. Furthermore, the hotel is situated in a thermal water park and access to all 9 pools is included. 

Further we will take 25€ conference fee. That will be collected on-site by AAItaly. 

There will be a study tour after the conference for 1, 2 or 3 days. Details to follow soon.

To register for ERAC, please send an email to hotel@hotelmiramare.it with your room choice and the person you want to share the room with.

If you have any questions, please let us know.

Foto von Samuel C. auf Unsplash

World CleanUp Day 2022

OBITUARY

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend, supporter and mentor Arnould de la Boulaye.

Arnould was an example of dedication, perseverance and total commitment to defend causes he deeply believed in. Many of us had the privilege of working closely with him on a variety of projects and observe that his prime goal was to serve others, build paths of collaboration and fight for ambitious goals that would make ours a Better World.

One of the causes he treasured throughout his life was AIESEC. Having been President of AIESEC-France while a student, Arnould maintained both the spirit and the objectives of the Association alive all through his personal and professional lives. His consistent aim was to help others and he reflected this by the numerous persons he mentored, by the various start-ups he helped launch, by the support he offered those seeking counsel while consistently doing so on a selfless voluntary basis.

Doubtless he was the Founder and creator of the AIESEC Fund, an initiative which he saw as a potential vehicle to fundraise and thus generate funds to finance AIESEC initiatives, whether generated by the Student or the Alumni bodies. He fought to launch this ambitious project because he deeply believed that it would fulfil the Association’s goal of “Peace and Fulfilment of Humankind’s Potential”.

Arnould was the prime example of an AIESECer. He took the Association’s purpose and goals from his student days till the day of his death. He leaves great memories in those who had the pleasure and honour of knowing him. He will be remembered as someone dedicated, committed, persevering and always having the service of others as his prime objective. He embraced the concept that “AIESEC is for Life”.

May he rest in Peace.

Words by Victor Loewenstein

——

StepUp 2022

Support to Ukraine

Here we have some actions you can take to help: 
DISCLAIMER 
We are not responsible for the content issued by the organizations mentioned above, media, and broadcast channels outside our association; however, we encourage you to keep yourself informed and analyze if the information to read is from a reliable source. Also, remember to contrast the news for a complete perspective and stay in touch with your alumni association to learn about more initiatives and ways to help. 

📌 Keep yourself informed from verified and unbiased news sources:
UN News: //news.un.org/en/story/2022/02/1112202
Kyiv Independent: //kyivindependent.com/
Hromadske International: //en.hromadske.ua
BBC News: //www.bbc.com/news@reuters 

📌 Make donations to help with resources, check on verified donations for relief:
Support Ukrainian Children fighting cancer: //tabletochki.org/en/
The Red Cross ICRC: //www.icrc.org/en/donate/ukraine
UNOCHA: //www.unocha.org/ukraine
UNICEF Ukraine: //www.unicef.org/ukraine/en
care.org
icrc.org
internationalmedicalcorps.org
projecthope.org
savethechildren.net
unhcr.org 

📌 Find a place to stay as a refugee:
//elinor.network/gastfreundschaft-ukraine/
//www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2022/02/additional-immigration-support-for-those-affected-by-the-situation-in-ukraine.html 

📌 Real ways to support Ukraine:
//how-to-help-ukraine-now.super.site/ 

From AAI Newsletter, Call To Action, 7th April 2022

ERAC 2022: LEADING FOR PEACE

ERAC 2022 MANIFESTO

In 1948, a group of visionary people from different countries came together to create and promote actions for peace and fulfillment of humankind’s potential. And that’s how AIESEC was born!

In Europe, we are now going through challenging times of crisis. In the unfortunate context of the war in Ukraine, we have decided to get back to basics and to redesign the agenda of ERAC on LEADING FOR PEACE.

AIESEC Alumni are change agents, leaders in their countries, businesses, and communities. It is time to come together and build solutions for a better shared future, based on AIESEC values – peace, collaboration, respect, and intercultural understanding.

Join us at ERAC, between 26 -29 May, in Bucharest and be part of the most important mission for all of us: LEADING FOR PEACE.

We aim to:

– Promote solutions for interpersonal conflict management

– Elaborate ideas and projects for a better common future

– Achieve results, tangible contributions to take back home

– Collaborate on international projects

– Elevate our joint response to the global challenges.

We welcome all AIESEC Alumni who believe in the unique power and potential of our Global Community.

Register now and join us at ERAC 2022!

//aiesec-alumni.ro/erac2022/#registration-form

We stand for Peace

For many of us here at the board of AIESEC Alumni Europe the fall of the iron curtain in 1989 was the moment which enabled us to live the free life we live today. The vision of AIESEC, the organization we cherish so much as Alumni, is ‘Peace and Fulfillment of Humankind’s Potential’.

War and violence are never the path to achieve anything but destruction. The suffering, the loss of life caused by this war makes us feel extremely sad, helpless and our hearts hurt seeing what is unfolding on our European continent.

We feel extremely worried by the now real possibility of the iron curtain to reappear.

We are not powerless. Peace is the basis to fulfill humankind’s potential, and this is what we all need to stand up for. Our thoughts are with all the people who suffer so much under this war.

We ask you to support AIESECers and Alumni in Ukraine.
We ask you to stay connected with AIESECers and alumni in Russia.

Only with open communication, we can hope to build bridges and bring everyone back to the table.

The Board of AIESEC Alumni Europe

Christiane Stein * Irma Bejdic * Katarina Korenkova * Jean Paul Kenmoe * Jude Ahor * Michael Illert

StepUp 2021

Register here: //bit.ly/AAEStepUp

Agenda

APPLY NOW for the AAE Board 2021/2023

Application Link: //bit.ly/AAE_Board21

Common requirements for all board positions:

  • Passion and vision for AIESEC Alumni
  • AIESEC experience
  • Ability to travel to three AAE meetings per year
VP Finance 
Responsibilities
– Annual budget: Creation and Control
– Invoicing of fee share agreements
– Be informed about AAE activities, know financial implications
– Offer advice to other board members on finance related matters
– Auditors
– Management of bank account & reimbursement of expenses
Skills
– Experience of AIESEC Alumni Management
– Accounting know-how
– Risk averse  
  
VP Communications 
Responsibilities
– Create Communication Strategy
– Management of Social Media channels & website
– Logo and Marketing Materials
– Collect input from board for publication
– Run communication campaigns
– Gatekeeper for outside AAE communication
– Lead the communication team
Skills
– Strong communication skills
– Outgoing, open personality
– Team leading
  
VP NAA Growth 
Responsibilities
– Inform about status of NAAs and suggest actions
– Organisation of monthly NAA call
– Collect and share best practices
– Regular bilateral calls to NAAs and communities
– Development and maintenance of “NAA Start-up package”
– Management of communication details to NAAs and communities
– Keeping track of events of NAAs and communities
– Collect and calculate KPIs
– Lead the team of regional managers
Skills
– Strong communication skills
– Outgoing, open personality
– Team leading
  
VP Tech 
Responsibilities
– Setting AAE’s IT systems up for success
– Make agreements with IT suppliers for NGOs (Microsoft, LinkedIn, Zoom, …)
– Administer web sites, WordPress, email/ lists…
– Define templates and good practices for our NAAs
– Knowledge Management
Skills
– Energy and passion for AIESEC Alumni
– Technical skills: Understanding of WordPress, Web hosted server management or willing to acquire these skills via online training (paid by AAE)
– Communicate templates and products
– Ability to allocate time for calls if needed
  
VP Programmes 
Responsibilities
– Run AAE’s most prominent programmes: Alumni Theme Programme, Alumni Talks, Conferences and Mentoring
– Develop and implement long-term goals and objectives to achieve the successful outcome
– Supervise the programmes by providing direction, input and feedback
– Oversee the collection and maintenance of records of the programmes
– Report evaluation findings to the stakeholders and recommend changes to enhance the programmes as appropriate
– Keep an open mind for other international alumni programmes
– Connect NAAs who run similar programmes and facilitate best practice sharing
– Share experiences with regional programmes managers worldwide
– Lead a team of programme managers
Skills
– Communication skills
– Outgoing personality
– Skilful use of program management tools
– Structured working methods
– Ability to allocate time for calls if needed
– Team Leading
  
VP Human Resources 
Responsibilities
– Design application process for management team and board
– Search new talent for AAE projects, management team, board
– Take care of onboarding and teambuilding activities
Skills
– Share AIESEC Alumni vision and passion
– Strong communication skills
– Outgoing, open personality
  
VP Joker?! 
Responsibilities
What area would you like to run?   
Skills
– Strong communication skills
– Outgoing, open personality
– Skills in desired field