After World War 2 left Europe in ruins, with 55 million deaths and hatred between nations, students from 8 countries met in Paris in 1946 to begin organizing an exchange program. They formally established AIESEC at a meeting in Stockholm in 1948 with the goal of promoting tolerance through international exchanges. Starting with 7 countries and 250 members, AIESEC grew steadily over the following decades, spreading to all continents and facilitating thousands of internships annually by the 1960s. It continued expanding its global reach and member programs over subsequent decades, reaching 90 countries and over 20,000 members by 2005.
21. AIESEC welcomed Turkey as
a member, taking AIESEC
outside the confines of
Western Europe.
1954
22. With the International Congress in
Rotterdam in 1955, the number of
traineeships broke through the
thousand mark, with 1.114
traineeships a year.
1955
23. AIESEC became inter-continental with
the entry of the United States in 1957.
The organization had made the leap
across the Atlantic.
1957
24. By the following year, AIESEC had
spread to Latin America, with Venezuela
and Colombia joining the Association.
1958
25. The African continent became
represented with South African
membership in the same year.
1958
26. Meanwhile, the number of traineeships
continued to grow steadily. In 1960,
AIESEC achieved 2.973 trainee
exchanges.
1960
33. 1982 The 1980’s started with an emphasis on
regional development with the African
region officially established.
34. 1982
The purpose statement was changed:
“AIESEC’s purpose is to develop
students and recent graduates and
to facilitate the development of our
environment on the local, national
and international levels.”
35. 1986
The purpose statement got an addition:
“AIESEC does not discriminate on
the
basis of race, colour, creed, religion,
national or ethnic origin.”
37. In 1989 we realized the highest
number of traineeships ever with
7.029 trainees exchanged around the
world.
1989
38. Externally in 1989, an event that many
thought would never happen in their
lifetime occurred. The Berlin Wall came
crashing down. The “Iron Curtain”, that
had separated a continent for nearly half
a century, crumbles.
1989
39. This continues in the 90’s with the
release of Nelson Mandela from prison
in South Africa. In 1991 the country
holds its first democratic elections.
1990-91
40. … elects a black student for National
Committee President
AIESEC in South Africa …
42. 2005• 90 countries
• 20.000 members
• more than 3.500 exchanges
During International Congress 2005, our core
work was refreshed:
AIESEC provides its members with an integrated
development experience comprised of leadership
opportunities, international internships and
participation in a global learning environment.