Present in over 107 countries and territories across the globe, activating leadership in more than 1,700 Universities, AIESEC has been recognised as the World’s largest youth run organisation, whose international platform enables young people to explore and develop their leadership potential for them to have a positive impact in society. Using an innovative approach, and building up on its extensive personal networks, it explores leadership opportunities so as to engage the youth and provide them an international forum to assist discover their direction, and their ambitions for the future.
The idea behind AIESEC started in the 1930s when Universities across Europe began exchanging ideas related to business and economics, received a push during World War II, when the concept of exchanges and internships nearly came to a standstill, and the organization was officially founded in 1948. Today, after more than 60 years of existence, AIESEC facilitates 5,500 international intern ships annually, delivers over 470 conferences and and offers 7,700 leadership roles to its membership of over 50,000 students.
Kofi A.Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations (January 1997-January 2007) said, “The United Nations has long recognised that the imagination, ideals and energies of young men and women are vital for the continuing development of the societies in which they live. AIESEC has contribuited to this development by serving as an agent of positive change through education and cultural exchange to develop a broader understanding of cultural, socio-economic and business management issues.”
AIESEC identifies itself today as an international, non political, non profit, youth run, independent, educational foundation. It is comprised of students and recent graduates of institutions of higher education. AIESEC does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin. Its core work is to facilitate international traineeship exchanges and develop individuals by supporting activities that provide practical learning experiences, which in turn facilitate the learning of members and other stakeholders.
India is one of the highest performing AIESEC countries across the globe, having facilitated over 2,000 exchanges annually. It is also home to AIESEC in Delhi University, founded in 1983, a local chapter which is acknowledged as one of the highest performing local committees in the world. It was recognized as the “Best Local Committee” in AIESEC India in the year 2007, and has been renowned for its sustainable approach ever since. It also received the awards for Best Outgoing Exchange, Best External Relations, Best Initiatives, Best Corporate Relations in the year 2007, Most Progressive Finance and Best Corporate Relations in the year 2008, as well as Most Progressive Communications, and Best Corporate Relations in the year 2009.
AIESEC in Delhi University also recruits a diverse team of students from the best academic institutions in the city, as well as hosts a multifarious selection of events over the year. In the year 2010, AIESEC in Delhi University saw a brilliant turn out at the February recruitment, with nearly 950 forms sold, and envisions a legendary Youth to Business Forum in April (A Corporate Event) in addition to a fantastic Empower (A student Event) further into the year, as well as a Balakalakar (A social event) to be remembered!