Recap 75 years of AIESEC – European celebration

On Saturday 28 October 2023, AIESECers and alumni in Europe celebrated the founding of AIESEC 75 years ago. For the occasion more than 200 people from all generations and continents came together at the Wereldmuseum in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The museum like AIESEC brings people and cultures together, although the museum already for 160 years.

After an introduction by Marco Swan (President of AIESEC Alumni Netherlands), Nilton Pinheiro (Museum Guide & Africa Expert) presented the purpose of the museum as a space where the people of Rotterdam collected exhibits from cultures around the world for the education of their fellow citizens.
Alysha Alva from AIESEC International shared information on the AIESEC 75 Storybook which collects stories from AIESECers around the globe about deciding moments in their AIESEC career. Lots of stories played on a continuous loop throughout the evening for participants to see and read.
In a fireside chat, current PAI (President of AIESEC International) Chester Shum discussed with the first Secretary General (aka PAI) Victor Loewenstein about the association in 60s, the recent challenging years and the future. Both emphasised that AIESEC’s mission of “Peace and fulfilment of humankind’s potential” is as valid today as it was 75 years ago.

Building on this, Yana Rudenka (Alumna of AIESEC in Ukraine) and Kateryna Kirvas, the current MCP of AIESEC in Ukraine, gave a moving account of their experiences in Ukraine from February 2022. Both shared with the audience how their life had dramatically changed and how they and the organization gets involved to help children, mothers and families to get through the winter. During the evening, more than €3,000 were collected for Netherlands for Ukraine Foundation on potbelly stoves for internally displaced Ukrainians, people in de-occupied territories and in the regions that are close to the battle field. Netherlands for Ukraine Foundation is one of the biggest Dutch organisations that help Ukrainians. Your donation can be tax-deductible, as NL4UA has ANBI status. Please, consider making a contribution: https://donorbox.org/netherlands-for-ukraine

From talking about peace we switched to a panel discussion on Sustainable Leadership. Current Dutch MCP Bianka Demeter discussed with Daan Smits (Head of Operational Development at Mosa Meat), Tatiana Izmaylova (HR Director Group Functions and DEI at Ontex), Tamer Zikry (Global Head of Talent at CSC and Intertrust Group) and Simone Jeuken (HRM Young Interim Professional at Yacht) about their AIESEC careers, what they have learned and still use now in their careers and how the future looks like for leadership.

To close the event Christiane Stein, President of AIESEC Alumni Europe, joined Marco to introduce the European Regional Alumni Conference in April 2024, the next chance to come together and “Connect2Impact”.
The official program was followed by a walking dinner, mingling and dancing. Several AIESEC roll calls were brought back to live with AIESECers and alumni.