Framework

THE
AIESEC
WAY

The guide that explains the purpose of our existence and the unique way we achieve it as an organisation.

The AIESEC Way is the guide that explains what is the purpose of our existence but also the unique way of how we are achieving it as an organisation.

Framework

The Golden Circle

The AIESEC Way is explained through an adapted version of the Golden Circle model — a simple and powerful explanation of what we believe in and what drives us.

Our Foundation

It all started after the Second World War

AIESEC was founded after the Second World War by a group of young people from Europe (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden). The political and social context of the time shaped our fundamental principles.

The perception of ‘peace’ has evolved. We now know peace starts with people accepting, understanding, and embracing what makes us unique.

That is why AIESEC strives for Peace & Fulfilment of Humankind's Potential.

WHY — Our Vision

Peace & Fulfilment of Humankind's Potential

In today's context, ‘Peace’ does not only mean avoiding war. Peace can refer to a world where no conflict arises from cultural, religious, or other differences in humanity.

AIESEC's aspiration is for every young person to work towards their understanding of peace and take collaborative action towards fostering a better world.

Through “Fulfillment of Humankind's Potential”, AIESEC envisions a world where people continually become better versions of themselves and empower others along the way.

WHO — Our Target

We engage and develop youth to create a better future

Getting young adults involved and developing them is essential. We believe that we as young people have the responsibility to create a long-lasting, positive impact on our own lives, our communities, and the world at large.

We trust that we will drive and shape the future with our passion, dynamism, and innovative spirit — for themselves, their communities and therefore, the world.

HOW — Our Method

Leadership is the fundamental solution

AIESEC is a platform that strives to unlock the potential within humankind. We do that by enabling young people to demonstrate and live by values based on AIESEC's leadership development model.

Our Values

Our Unique Leadership Development Model

AIESEC's leadership development model seeks to prepare youth to take a stand on what they care about. Hover over each value to learn more.

ACTIVATING LEADERSHIP

DEMONSTRATING INTEGRITY

ACTING SUSTAINABLY

ENJOYING PARTICIPATION

STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE

LIVING DIVERSITY

ACTIVATING LEADERSHIP

We lead by example and inspire leadership through actions and results. We take responsibility for developing the leadership of others — we live it by inspiring others to be role models.

· Practising empathy

· Inspiring others

DEMONSTRATING INTEGRITY

We are consistent and transparent in our decisions and actions. We fulfil our commitments and conduct ourselves in a way aligned with what we envision — our actions back up our words.

· Living authenticity

· Doing what is right

ACTING SUSTAINABLY

We act in a sustainable way for our society. Our decisions take into account the needs of future generations — we live it by building on what has been done in the past.

· Making long-term decisions

· Managing resources sustainably

ENJOYING PARTICIPATION

We celebrate and enjoy the way we are and what we represent in the society, considering the role of youth in the world — we live it by putting a youthful energy in everything we do.

· Demonstrating enthusiasm

· Being proud in who we are

STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE

We continuously improve through creativity and innovation. We strive to deliver the highest quality performance in everything we do — encouraging each other to be better and appreciating feedback.

· Self-developing based on feedback

· Continuous learning

LIVING DIVERSITY

We seek to learn from different ways of life and opinions represented in our multicultural environment. We are inclusive by respecting and actively encouraging the contribution of every individual.

· Building inclusive spaces

· Capitalising on each others' differences

Our values guide our everyday actions and decisions. They shape our organisational culture, bringing the AIESEC way to life.
This is the leadership that we believe in and develop.

HOW — The LEAD Model

Inner Journey & Outer Journey

We believe that young people learn best by doing and reflecting. The outer journey is the individual's interaction with the external environment. The Inner Journey is the internal change that happens within the individual.

Impact

Your journey's impact on society — enables young people to see their connection with the world and take ownership.

Individual Responsibility

Taking individual responsibility with clear goals is a first step in the outer journey of leadership development.

Challenging Role & Environment

Your role and surrounding environment push you to leave your comfort zone, enabling you to learn.

Interaction with Multiple Stakeholders

The diversity and quantity of stakeholders heavily influences one's leadership development.

Reflect on Your Experience

Self-reflection exercises to understand how you are achieving personal goals and capture your learnings.

Support System

A mentor, coach, or buddy — provided by AIESEC or any external stakeholder — supports the inner journey.

Set Personal Goals

The inner leadership journey starts with understanding where you are and setting goals for what you want to gain.

Understand Your Personal Values

By living the experience you realise fundamental things about yourself — your values and how they impact everyday life.

Reinvent Yourself

Capturing the learning from this experience to use in the future: understanding your new self.

WHAT — What we do

What We Offer

We enable young people to develop their leadership through practical experiences

Our Impact

We create direct and positive impact in the world by developing leadership in young people. We impact the world indirectly by designing cross-cultural opportunities that strive to address society's challenges.

Cross-Cultural Understanding

Cross-cultural understanding encompasses an understanding of different nations or territories, races, ethnicities, religions, as well as across different sectors and segments of society.

Leadership Opportunities

AIESEC provides diverse opportunities such as exchange opportunities, work experiences, volunteering, and other activities created for young people to develop their leadership in unfamiliar environments.

AIESEC Membership

AIESEC members collaborate in teams to create, support and manage these cross-cultural, practical experiences — living fulfilling team experiences that activate their leadership potential.

Who We Are

AIESEC

Global

AIESEC is present in all parts of the world. We have a global network that strives to make the world a better place through leadership development and peace while standing up for fundamental human rights.

Non Partisan

AIESEC chooses peace above all and therefore does not have a pre-defined or officially accepted political tendency or subscription.

Independent

AIESEC as a global network is not a subsidiary or an entity that is dependent on any other bodies in its work, sustainability or decision-making.

Not-For-Profit

AIESEC's main goal is to develop leadership for young people to have a positive impact in the world. We use our resources sustainably to generate impact rather than making profit for shareholders.

Youth-Run

AIESEC is completely run by youth for youth.

AIESEC does not discriminate on the basis of gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, ability, creed, or religion, nor on the basis of national, ethnic, or social origin.