Aiesec 60th

AIESEC 60th Anniversary Reunion
AIESEC International Alumni
AIESEC in Belgium Alumni
Brussels, Belgium, 27th -29th June 2008

Content Guests
Introduction 4; About the event 5; The Present 6; The Past .9; The Future 12; The Future 14

Available resources
Guests profile: http://www.aiesec.org/AI/60/files/Guests_profile.pdf
Günter Verheugen speech: http://www.aiesec.org/AI/60/files/Gunter_Verheugen_Speech_xAlumni_Event_Brusselsx.pdf
Robin Wood presentation: http://www.aiesec.org/AI/60/files/Robin_Wood_xCatalysing_the_second_renaissancex.ppsx
Jean Choplin speech: http://www.aiesec.org/AI/60/files/Jean_Choplin_speech_in_Brussels.doc
AIESEC Today: http://www.aiesec.org/AI/60/files/AIESEC_Today_by_Gabriela_Albescu_PAI_Brussels_08.ppt
Event press release: http://www.aiesec.org/AI

Video
Message from Bernd Thomas (PAI 58/59): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPDw3flgYxs
Message from Victor Loewenstein (PAI 61/62): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZY9qreyaR4
I am an AIESEC alumnus Øyvind Sørbrøden (PAI 1968/1969): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wTRSWyBYgA
I am an AIESEC alumnus Juan Carlos Ardila ( AI team 88/89): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlMk6EJF2z8
Event at TV news: http://www.tvnet.pt/noticias/detalhes.php?id=29778

Picture
Graphic output The Present: http://picasaweb.google.cz/aiesec.org/ThePresentBlockAIReunionBrussels
Graphic output The Past: http://picasaweb.google.cz/aiesec.org/TheStoriesFromThePastAIReunionInBrussels
Graphic output The Future: http://picasaweb.google.cz/aiesec.org/TheFutureBlockAIReunionInBrussels
Friday: http://picasaweb.google.cz/aiesec.org/Friday27JuneBrussels60thAnniversary
Saturday: http://picasaweb.google.cz/aiesec.org/Saturday28JuneBrussels60thAnniversary
History Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.cz/aiesec.org/MemoriesFromTheHistory

AIESEC 60th Anniversary Reunion 2


Alumni Calling for Action! Alumni can benefit from the
alumni network- connecting to people with same area of interest or business,
group of alumni can create projects/ventures or share expertise,
the potential of the network is unlimited. Alumni can support
AIESEC entities to grow. What else comes to your mind?
s

What



Introduction by chair and agenda team

Martin Bean (PAI 1986/87) kindly accepted the invitation to chair this great event, his opening remarks were about stories and recognition:

For 20 years today Belgium hosted us (AI office was located in Brussels), and yet again today we are here in Belgium hosted by AIESEC International
to celebrate 60 years of activating leadership. I stole a gift from AIESEC International--Mary Murphy--who was part of AI for close to 6 years. We
have been doing a great job ensuring that we get more AIESEC members, and we now have three AIESEC babies! There are amazing people like
Victor, who have never left AIESEC.
“Skills of leadership, communication, cultural
The opportunity to become part of AIESEC again has re-ignited the spark in my life again, I as part of understanding, problem solving, team building,
IC in Turkey last year when Gabiza invited me. I realize that some things have changed but some ladies and gentleman those are the skills that
have not changed yet. Word of advice for alumni “before you go for an AIESEC conference, be employers are demanding in the 21st Century to
careful because you may feel really old!” be relevant. Those are the skills that AIESEC has
In our time we stood up for what we thought was right, Our team faced some challenges as other teams that always taught and trust me, those skills are just as
followed, every alumni faced some difficulty in their time. In our year we were trying to remain relevant in South needed and just in demand today as they were
Africa in the time of apartheid, having people like disagree with what we were doing for example the Swiss right in the very beginning of AIESEC. “
government saying they would shut as down if we kept working in South Africa.
Martin Bean, General Manager, Education Products
I was having a conversation with an alumnus from the US and he said that the AIESEC Exchange program may Group at Microsoft Corporation; PAI 1986/87
not be relevant in the world today. I have two points to share around that; The world is changed, business goes
where the talent is (the World is Flat) Life time employment is being replaced by lifetime employability, to thrive
is all about having the skills. In my experience, the skills that I have to survive with in the 21st century currently, I
learnt them from AIESEC. Global equity, I visited Rwanda as part of the WEF foundation, coming up with the MDG. I am sure we are all aware of what Rwanda
went through during the genocide. I called up the MCP Kevin and at that time he had a meeting with the LC and MC members, I then took a cab to join them to
be part of the meeting. I had a session with them and what I saw in their eyes is the inspiration and motivation to drive change, the interactions they can have
with people from other areas, this is what the exchange program can offer. With this I then concluded that my alumni friend was wrong, the AIESEC Exchange
program is still relevant in the world today. This is what this conference is all about, it is about going through the past, present and future of AIESEC.

Martin, you have been a fantastic chair of the first gathering of the global leadership teams of AIESEC throughout the past 60 years. Thank you very
much for your inspiration, for sharing your AIESEC Experience.



About the event

Under the framework of The Past, The Present and The Future the event provided a platform for
individual connections and showcasing the impact of the network we are part of.
The event flow has been designed and facilitated by an agenda team represented by AIESEC International in cooperation with
professional leadership organizations Future Considerations (www.futureconsiderations.org) and Center for Creative Leadership
(www.ccl.org).

A graphic facilitator captured the key themes of discussions throughout the day, and a high quality agenda was developed in
cooperation with two leading leadership development organizations.

The team from Future Considerations included: Jarda Dokoupil (AI, Director CEE 2005/06); James Shaw (AI alumnus 1997/98); Mark Young
(Founding directors, alumnus), Monika Koncz (AI People Development 2004/05), Robin Wood (guest), Patrice Van Riemsdijk(AI
Supervisory Group member)

Team from Center for Creative Leadership: Rudi Plettinx (Managing Director Europe, Belgium alumnus), Jeff Beeson (expert on World Café), Paula Nielsen, Path
(graphic facilitator).

The shining people, a story by Jarda about what could happen at this alumni reunion:
When I was in AIESEC, I described it as a space covered in a glass wall, in this wall people came in with different aspirations and with ideas inside the glass wall.
Inside these walls we see how a powerful individual would be and together these individuals in the glass having a common reason to be within the glass wall
than just individuals and this would make the glass wall shine. This was easy while in AIESEC and then the challenge came when they had to leave and suddenly
the wall was not shining. As alumni while in the wall you find how you can shine as individuals but then tend to loose the shine once outside but in a forum like
this where alumni come here it is because they want to come back to connect to the shine.
Because of the 60th anniversary, the possibility that is there today is that we are able to take all the members in AIESEC and we are able to bring back that shine
here today. Alumni are the people that brought that shine and that can use their network to pass on the shine to the members and reconnect with that shine.



The Present- visual output is available on this link: http://picasaweb.google.cz/aiesec.org/ThePresentBlockAIReunionBrussels
The Present block provided perspectives on current European and global issues presented by recognized guests.

Vice-President of the European Commission Günter Verheugen shared thoughts about The Role of Europe in the World. Commissioner
greatly enjoyed his participation at the celebration.
“You have been a front runner of globalization and the values that
A panel moderated by Martin Bean engaged into a discussion Jermyn your organization embodies are more relevant than ever. Cross-
Brooks, Robin Wood, Romina Rosado and Juan Cajiao. The question was cultural understanding and entrepreneurship education contribute
simple: to a peaceful development of the world.” Günter Verheugen, Vice-
President of the European Commission
What is the single most important trend in the world today
that leaders in every sector need to pay attention to?

Jermyn Brooks mentioned six challenges confronting us. He encouraged understanding them as called for action! He is afraid if we aren’t
too late to deal with the Climate change, the sea levels is rise, what will happen to the world in 50 years? Are we going to overcome the
Energy crisis, Financial crisis the new level of volatisation or The poverty gap differentiating between north and south, corruption,
Immigration, etc. Crisis of democracy are bothering both in the developed and developing world –overspending on campaigns, low turn
out for voting. European Union – we see a return of nationalism, now we have a recurrence of national thinking. How are we going to deal
with that?
Robin Wood strongly believes we can make things happen if we have the mind to do so. We have the power to create a new renaissance or fall in the Dark Age .
We are driving most of our ecosystems to the point of collapse. A solution is a new Renaissance.
Romina Rosado was talking about the increasing role of technology in transferring information. She believes that the
information revolution will help us collaborate on how to exchange information on the global crisis. Why are we talking
about revolution? Let think about how many people read hard copied newspaper; read blogs; watch television news;
watch online video; write letters? Increasingly we have more sources of information. Romina is asking if the technology is
answering the questions people have or if the information continued to be groomed by sad information. What can our
current leaders do to share information better?



Juan Cajiao
stated believes that alumni and members are the legends who can make a change. Juan sees as the main trends Globalisation – We cannot disconnect events
from what is happening in the world, it doesn’t matter what our virtual interactions are but we are part of this world. Climate change. Gap between rich and
poor – What then comes to me is the network; the health of the network is based on 1. The people, 2, is the money where it is needed or in the right hands 3.
Information to make right decisions and 4. Technology- the way how it is used. We cannot talk about the next generation, we have to talk about what to do now.
AIESEC is also facing the same situation, how do we make resources flow through the network. We need good leadership that can see the resources and channel
them to the right places.

Question by the audience: With all the change that has been spoken about, as parents of young children,
what kind of skills and education the students needs to be equipped? Some of the ideas that we’ve been discussing
Robin: Creativity is what we need to ensure we provide to the children. For us to deal with the changes, people today at the AIESEC summit really resonate,
have to learn to think outside the box. educating people, diversity, how technology is
Romina : Diversity. Schools are being defined to specific regions and we need to engage and talk with people transforming the way we communicate. Romina
from different backgrounds, culture. Social skills.
Rosado, Global Head of Marketing at The
NewsMarket
Question by audience: In a case like Rwanda, where resources have been stretched and turn to war, what
do we do to stop the great resource war for the future?

Juan: We are in a bubble and the population is increasing really fast so we have less space for more people, less resources. The first thing would be technology as
a key tool increasing the productivity, converting resources into the things we want to use. This could also provide answer how to generate more and more
outcomes and how to use people consuming the resources we generate.
The power of a network is that we are more
powerful actually then all those governments and Robin: We are experiencing the turning down of the global development curve.
corporations out there because we have no
constraints, we’re free! To do what we think is Jermyn: At any time of the work there are about 20 conflicts at local, national or international level. Consultants are
right, and I think that’s the key, we need to have dealing with conflict management with minimal success. The idea is to be preventive, giving the local population
the courage to do that. the empowerment and space to hold their governments accountable.
Robin Wood, Founder of Renaissance 2
Sustainability & Innovation Lab



Question by audience: What can we do and how do we explain the people in Europe the European dimensions of the globalization beyond the
capitalization, free market, etc.

Jermyn: We got to understand that it started as overcoming the conflicts between countries and have gotten to a point of nationalism. I would like to see more
courage, leadership and more transparency in Britain saying this is what we see as benefits in the EU, the kind of issues we could have Europe of 2 speeds.
Robin: Quality of leadership– Europe needs a global outreach, a generation of global heroes that can demonstrate the true value of Europe, we need to put our
mouth in where our money is and more inspirational leaders in Europe and now

Juan thinks the immigration is a big issue. Great step would be if we are able to present the consequence of having a global mindset that goes beyond the EU.
Media can play a big role in curbing this problem. I think that we have a lot of good answers to really specific topics, and I think the bottleneck is not in the
design of the solution but in the implementation of the solution.

Romina: We do not have to go to media, we have information technology. We need to explain to people what it means to them to be in Europe beyond the
history.

Question by audience: Global economy is growing; however there are still many parts in the world without basic infrastructure. What can we do as a
powerful network to ensure the reach of the infrastructure and resources in the world to implement the solution?

Robin: For example we need to adopt a village, it does not cost a lot and you can see a lot the change that happens in a short while.

Juan: The need for the countries to develop the skills to attract investment. See a need, transform it into a business need and then raise the funds. The mindset
does not allow them to go for their dreams so we need to focus on the people.



The Past- visual output is available on this link: http://picasaweb.google.cz/aiesec.org/TheStoriesFromThePastAIReunionInBrussels
When we look at the world of today, where can we get inspiration and power for going forward?

This block guided alumni to look back in an appreciative way at what is the difference AIESEC alumni have made. The
Story Wall became a place for all stories, comments and acknowledgements, as part of our history making process. The
following questions were reflected: In what ways have we, as 60 generations of AIESEC Alumni, made a difference?

Over your life in what ways have you continued to express the vision and values we shared as members of AIESEC?
What part did the organization play in terms of who you have become today?
Where, when and how have you made the difference? Since you left AIESEC, where have we made a difference in the
last sixty years?
How we have we made a collective difference?

After sharing the stories Martin Bean (PAI 86/87) moderates a discussion between former Presidents of AIESEC International Jean Choplin (PAI 1950/1951);
Bernd Thomas, (PAI 1958/1959); Victor Loewenstein (National President of AIESEC in UK; PAI 1960/1961); Michael Stewart (President of AIESEC in the US; PAI
89/90). Guys shared their thoughts about the history…

Victor summarizes the past 60 years: These 60 years have shown that when you espouse the right culture, the right spirit and have the right organization able to
maintain that, that is the great strength of AIESEC. Here today, we are representing many generations. Despite enormous changes that have occurred there is
still commonality of what we feel we belong to. All of us can go to an International Congress, alumni and the “kids”, and not feel that there is any generation gap
from the people that could be our children and sometimes grandchildren. Same principles have not moved. This is the power of this organization that will take
us for another 60 years. One thing that we have to be attentive to, with the growth of other regions, is not to be detriment to Europe. Now it has moved east
with due reason. But when we see that some of the founding countries that were the founding force of AIESEC, are totally insignificant, future generations need
to make sure to bring back these countries with very powerful history.



Message from Victor Loewenstein (PAI 61/62) about supporting traditional countries in need as leverage countries for the entire network:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZY9qreyaR4

Jean Choplin points out peace as a key criterion for success: Jean connected the early years to a vision, will and youth symbolizing the hope for peace. 40
Internships were done in the first year. Jean believes that personalized capital of trust makes a difference in international negotiations. The main idea we had
was international understanding it was not personal leadership it was international understanding as an essential criteria for peace and I think international
understanding is still necessary today in this globalized world. We originally had very deeply in mind French German
What’s fantastic about AIESEC is that we reconciliation where German representatives attended the first meeting in Stockholm. I think we should have a trans-
engage in our differences, rather than just generational project.
trying to pretend we’re all the same and
we’re coming together to get along and
pretending to get along is understanding.
We know that’s not the case. To get Bernd Thomas about the AIESEC courage: Hard to find common thread, but if I try I would say a typical AIESEC
understanding you’ve got to engage in member is equipped with particularly curiosity, AIESEC charges him up with the idea of a mission to utopia, that takes
differences and you’ve got to argue your courage. Then he leaves AIESEC and has to go one in life, so he applies bits and pieces of that. Whether it’s working in
points in a respectful, appropriate way. teams, or international cooperation, surprisingly many corporate tools can already be learned in AIESEC. These can also
be used in defining the culture of your life. You go on with your choice of career steps. Are you going to be an expat?
Do you maintain the AIESEC courage of being such a missionary? Then you remember there are the AIESEC alumni and
Michael Stewart , working for an
you want to benchmark how have they done and how have you done?
International Management Consultancy
There is a new sustainability paradigm. You have to find a new position to these new values. There is the new
firm, PAI 89/90 globalization paradigm. You have to find position to that. There is an area where alumni can create joint projects or
where alumni can be organized to get in touch with AIESEC field projects. If I could get a monthly update of projects
that are happening in AIESEC, I am willing to give professional expertise or finance.

Message from Bernd Thomas (PAI 58/59) about the need for AIESEC alumni to support current AIESEC projects:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPDw3flgYxs



Mike Stewart about being actively engaged in the big things shaping world on that time: I mean what strokes me clearly and significantly today, and is very
similar to what I was active having conversations with alumni in my own interaction with AIESEC over the years, just underscore what Jean said, leadership
develop yes that’s fine, its important but it’s not what makes this distinctive, enduring this organization. It is the sense of being actively engaged in the big
issues of the world, whatever they are. The big political, social issues, but not only be aware of them but personally invested and personally engaged.
That’s different stories I heard around the tables. The things you are working on that have nothing to do with your personal development, nothing to do with
actually with AIESECs activities, its orientation on the big issues that matter: Jean mentioned about the reconstruction of Europe with Germany and France;

Matthew was the first elected president of South .Africa, bringing this country to the network was an issue, that same year we had Tianmen square, Berlin wall,
opening of USSR. We introduced Peoples Republic of China, eastern Germany; you feel you are actively engaged on fascinating historical events.
Also a distinctive characteristic was that we had fun. We get together every two years; and lately we have more children coming to the events than alumni!

I am an AIESEC alumnus…
Øyvind Sørbrøden (PAI 1968/69) about bridging gaps between generations: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wTRSWyBYgA

Juan Carlos Ardila (1988/89 AI Director Latin America) about sustainability and how his work in AIESEC gave him a competitive edge:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlMk6EJF2z8



The Future- visual output is available on this link: http://picasaweb.google.cz/aiesec.org/TheFutureBlockAIReunionInBrussels

World café was a conversation in very nice atmosphere bringing thoughts about what difference we want to make in the world: as individuals and together.
Alumni had discussions with, wrote their thoughts on the wall and chose a picture that represented the conversations. The future needs creativity. What can we
do concretely?

As AIESEC Alumni we have diverse leadership roles in our organizations and our communities. What is the
simplest step that I / we can take that will have maximum impact in fulfilling AIESEC’s vision?
Few thoughts from alumni:

▪ Crisis in leadership globally, world wide shortage of leaders when we need them most. Without vision, leaders will
perish. AIESEC needs to develop a concrete vision as to what its role in the world is. People are here to be in the middle
of what is important now. Taking a stand and bold implementation is what’s needed. Need an AIESEC Davos. What is
the legacy of AIESEC in the next decade?
▪ Look at the alumni group in a diversified way. Some of us are older than 60 years who have been out for a long time,
and are realistic now. Have more time, focusing a lot on values. Good body for the organization to use. Also look at the
early career people (need to focus on their careers), late career people who are preparing for 60+ age.
▪ In the past we sold traineeships for right thing for companies to give kids opportunity to work abroad. These days termed CSR. AIESEC can be a power and a
force worldwide to promote and implement CSR as a policy. Shareholders’ looking at what role of company is within society. Alumni can talk to companies
they know to promote CSR traineeships and help AIESEC to understand the company needs and help them to sell these internships. Sustainable
development can make the biggest impact globally.
▪ We had different discussions around the same picture because people are different. What happens after 60 years of activating youth leadership? We learnt a
lot, but what can alumni do for our world?
▪ Mechanism of AIESEC develops people to know what role they can play in the world and make that impact. How do so many people get lost? Most people
adopt other people’s values and lose the sight of the light. Alumni – form communities to keep each other accountable to keep the light and keep
their values and vision. Alumni need to hold each other to not lose sight.
▪ We have a responsibility and a duty to our society and children to give back both directly and indirectly to the communities we serve. That’s the least we can
provide AIESEC with after all it’s given us.



Alumni hosted discussions on Sunday
On Sunday alumni have continued the conversations that have started on Saturday in a comprehensive and structured, but yet relaxed and flexible way.

Here together with hope that we don’t have to wait another 10 years to celebrate in a similar way. Imperative that we use the coming hours to try and discuss in
great depth where we go from here, how cane we put together a workable, successful and sustainable alumni association. Have one, but with growth problems.
Have capable individuals here; let’s take advantage to gather thoughts and ideas on how we move to the next stage of alumni engagement. Talk abut the
development, survival and success of the alumni association to get together and do what we need to do for the benefit of the association that made us the
people we are today. Victor Loewenstein (PAI 61/62)

Thank you to alumni who proactively hosted the following sessions:

Alumni Policy – this session was led by Bernd Thomas who has extensive experience with this topic, as well as important input for further development on a
global level.

International AIESEC Alumni Foundation – Jean Choplin shared his ideas about such a foundation, and the floor is open to continue the work started by a
group of alumni with Jean.

Leading alumni associations – learn from the good practice and hear about the success of the Japanese Alumni Association! Hiro Kinashi shared his top tips
and engaged in conversations around how to activate a national alumni network.

The General Meeting of AIESEC Alumni International took place and followed the agenda: Introduction; Report of the AAI EB ; Progress in Alumni work of AI;
Internals; Other Business; Close of Congress.

All ideas and concepts will be taken forward for further discussions and implementation with a support of AIESEC International.



The Next Steps….continue hosting & harvesting powerful conversations
▪ Register for MyAIESECnet at www.myaiesec.net
▪ Tell your alumni friends about the Alumni Online – Networking Platform MyAIESECnet. Bring at least 2 new alumni on the system.
▪ Continue discussions & networking using different tools of MyAIESECnet: forums, news, wiki, networking, post your profile, upload files, etc.
▪ Stay connected and updated while reading Monthly Global Alumni Newsletter at www.aiesec.org/alumni
▪ Alumni involved in AIESEC projects: HR capacity (coaching, mentorship, training at conferences, board of advisors in AIESEC entity); Financial capacity
(supporting projects, conferences, donations); In-kind capacity (offices, logistics, etc); Alumni offering internships in their companies; Increase
interaction between LC and alumni (formal / informal)
▪ Alumni attending regular Networking Events organized annually on national and global level:
31 national 60th anniversary alumni events ();
Join Global 60th Anniversary Celebration as part of International Congress on 22-24 August 2008, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The event will connect over
1000 alumnus, members, partner organizations and highly profiled guests. For more information please visit the web site: Hyperlink:
http://www.ic2008.org.br/EN/alumni.php
▪ Every contribution towards building the alumni network is welcome; just get in touch with alumni@ai.aiesec.org!
▪ Read Inspiring alumni stories at the web site: www.aiesec.org/alumni
▪ Launching new version of Alumni Networking platform MyAIESECnet in the autumn 2008



Dear AIESEC alumni, members, and partners!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all the energy, passion,
memories and ideas for the future that you brought to the event in Brussels on 27-
29 July 2008! It was surely an incredible experience for AIESEC International and
AIESEC in Belgium!

For further questions or comments please feel free to contact Monika Gmucova, 60th Anniversary Manager at AIESEC International, on e-mail:
monikag@ai.aiesec.org or on phone: +31 10 443 4383.



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