leadership AIESEC
MAGAZINE
the international platform for young people to explore and develop their leadership potential
WORLD 15/2020
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Index
Index AIESEC Leadership Magazine
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Why Slovenia needs AIESEC Leadership Magazine
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“Imagine creating your own web, thinner than silk, but bulletproof!”
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They experienced the Slovenian culture and recommend it!
Publisher AIESEC Slovenia
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“AIESEC showed me it’s not about the goals, but the path that will lead you there”
Editor Marta Silva
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“You should follow your passion and always surround yourself with extraordinary people”
WORLD 15/2020
Design and layout Maša Kušar
illustration: Maša Kušar
10 Where should you go this summer?
Invited Contributors T K Ragha Surya Franci Stariha Matic Kašnik Katja Manfreda Manca Ahlin
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Slovenians in the World
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World Economic Forum - Agenda 2015
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2015 Trends in Slovenia
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“For sure I wouldn’t be where I am now if I didn’t know how to lead a team!”
Print Pressing 1400 copies
“We need to be hard workers with a 20 business plan and a global perspective that reaches accross borders ”
Ljubljana, Avgust 2015 Supported by www.mediade.si
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2 days, 100 Leaders and many cooperations accross sectors - For a stronger Balkan Region
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My International Experiences Bucket List/ My steps to Make it Happen
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Why Slovenia needs AIESEC Leadeship Magazine
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uring the last years governments have supported the establishment of international agreements between Universities under European programs like Erasmus or Comenius. Slovenia has, indeed, increased its relevance externally as one of the most attractive destinations for foreigner students. On the other hand, many Slovenians have also had the opportunity to go abroad with these programs but are these experiences actually bringing anything in return to the country?
photo: personal archives
Why Slovenia needs AIESEC Leadership Magazine
Once abroad, Slovenian students seem to realize about their own apathy and their will to improve Slovenian society is awaken but soon forgotten, once they are back in the country. Slovenia needs to have a voice that is able to speak international understanding but also national empowerment. AIESEC Leadership Magazine aims to be this voice. It is here to show how international experiences can help individuals to become more connected with their own selves and nation. AIESEC wants to show how pushing youth internationally can help them find their purpose, and improve who they are. This way, AIESEC Leadership Magazine aspires to be the platform that shows youth which opportunities they have to get out of their comfort zone, thus becoming more active and determined to be the change. Slovenia is seeking self aware and empowering leaders. Leaders who are integer, internationally cultural aware, and action oriented. Leaders who are not afraid of taking risks. Throughout the years AIESEC has developed some of this talent pool. Now, AIESEC Leadership Magazine is here to show everyone how to do it.
Marta Silva | Public Relations and Marketing Director AIESEC Slovenia 2014/15 Editor of AIESEC Leadership Magazine
“Slovenia needs to have a voice that is able to speak international understanding but also national empowerment�
Contacts: marta.silva@aiesec.net | marketing@aiesec.si 3
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: A will to fail
“Imagine creating your own web, thinner than silk, but bulletproof!” W
hat does it take for a small spider to ensure that creates the most spectacular homes in the entire world? The spider web is not the most perfect home but its perfect for nesting, hunting. The spider doesn’t weave a spider web in under two three to four hours without any fumbles. It takes its time and the spider never gives up in spite of the impossible locations where it is trying to weave the web. Imagine creating your own web, thinner than silk, but bulletproof! It is this particular mentality of the spider, being resilient and always willing to perform; and having a grand strategy in mind, what makes it an admiring creature that has part of this world for the past 300 million years. It certainly was a chance that I came across a Facebook Post by my friend, (talk about clichés!), which introduced me to this whole new world of Global mindset and experiential learning. This post of his was an enticing and enchanting picture of him perched on the Great Wall of China. Curiosity being my biggest virtue, I ensured that I learn about AIESEC and its various programs upto my heart’s content and took the first leap of faith during Summer 2011 to South Korea for a volunteering international internship. Truth be told, apart from my birth, no other personal event throughout the past 20 years has had such an influence over my life and my character as a whole.
It wasn’t one exact moment but a series of events and learnings which propelled me to be the person that I am today. I was really privileged to be working in a diverse environment and fields like tourism, peace studies, cultural exchange and environmental awareness which enabled me to improve myself each and every single time throughout the project. I was also in4
photo: personal archives
T K RAGHA SURYA DHL Trainee, Germany
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: A will to fail
volved with a dynamic team of 18 other Asians (8 Chinese, 3 Taiwanese, 2 Hong Kongers, 1 Singaporean, 2 Vietnamese, 1 Malaysian, 1 Indonesian) and countless other Korean students and externals who also helped me to to shape my individualistic thinking and mainly the ability of “can do attitude”. I have to be honest here, I oversaw the entire process of selection and getting myself over to Korea for this particular project but had it not been for this amazing set of individuals, the entire time spent in Korea would have been yet another passing memory, to say the least. Being the introvert that I was prior to this program, not only myself but also, all my friends and parents, in particular, could feel the change of personality that I had gone through during this experience. To put it down in actual words I became much more accountable, responsible for the things that matter to me the most.
Professionally I truly learnt the art of public speaking and presentation skills on this trip as I was challenged to step up and represent my ideas and my beliefs, several times. Of course I faltered in the beginning but this showed me that failing is nothing to be ashamed of and it all depends on how one is capable of Learning new skills and Implement them in the future. I know it sounds way too extravagant and filled with fluffy words but believe me or not, it is not just me but thousands of students who embark in AIESEC Journeys every year. It is not just the foreign lands and exotic locations which cater to your party instincts, but the purpose and the intent during these journeys which will enlighten you the most. It is clear that each person in this quest needs to ensure that they make the most out of any opportunity presented before themselves, else its plain futile.
field of logistics and European culture where I have had no prior expertise at all. This just gives me a chance to further strengthen my sphere of knowledge, face new challenges and have the freedom to come up with new solutions from the ever evolving Globalized World. Since I started this new experience, every day has been filled with something new to learn, adapt, and pushing me to the limits. All of this, dear readers, is the beauty of AIESEC’s internships. No other opportunity will
give you such immense potential to learn, a present will to fail that will make you excel in future. Remember the Spider? If such a small being can build such wonders, what marvels will we, the humankind, be able to set? If you think something is possible just work towards it, after all, remember that those who dreamt of flying were called mad until humanity came across with the Wright brothers (inventors of the modern airplanes).
After this program I was able to apply my new self within various aspects of life –academic, career, relationships etc. I might have not succeeded entirely in everything I pursued but I’m happy to say that I have fully given my best in whatever I have done with thorough passion and confidence. After my graduation and while closing my AIESEC career, I decided to enroll in another AIESEC internship program – Work Abroad. Thanks to this, I’m currently working as Operations Performance Manager at one of the divisions of Deutsche Post DHL group, in Germany. Again I’m going through a whole new journey in the 5
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Trainee in Slovenia
They experienced the Slovenian culture and recommend it! O
ne of the international programs that AIESEC offers is the opportunity of international talent to come to Slovenia and volunteer in local communities. During the last year AIESEC brought to Slovenia more than 15 international trainees to support local primary schools in the delivery of key values connected with cultural understanding, leadership and soft skills. Cultural Connecting, Young Dragons and Shape Your Future are the names of three of the different projects that AIESEC has been delivering in Slovenia. For more information please check the details in
Othmane Saudi Tunisian, 25 TRAINEE
I decided to do a volunteering internship, mainly, because I wanted to discover a little bit more the world I live in and be the difference in someone’s reality. Coming to a different country in which language, food habits and cultural traditions are not familiar was without a doubt a challenge for me. I came to Slovenia since I was searching for a life changing experience in which I could become more empathetic and certain of who I am. Without a doubt I found that in Slovenia. Teaching Slovenian kids helped me to improve my self-confidence and awareness towards other peoples’ understanding. Professionally I have, without a doubt, a more attractive profile, since I aspire to become a teacher. Therefore, this experience is giving me an experience I was looking for. 6
photo: personal archives
photo: personal archives
www.aiesec.si.
Chika Baba Japanese, 21 TRAINEE I already knew AIESEC before deciding to go on a volunteering experience. I was a member in Japan and because I had the opportunity of seeing many interns coming to my hometown and having such a life-changing experience I decided that now was the time for me to get out of my comfort zone and embrace this experience. Now I am volunteering in Kranj and I am working with children, helping them to understand cultural differences. I am overwhelmed by the Slovenian nature and life quality. During this experience the major challenge I’ve been facing is communication since I don’t speak Slovenian and some people still are not comfortable with English, so this has been a strong experience in terms of adaptation. Learning how to communicate and improving my non verbal skills.
photo: personal archives
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Trainee in Slovenia
Wallace Aquino Brazilian, 25 TRAINEE After five years working in the City Hall of Ipatinga, in Brazil, I decided that it was time for me to do something different. something in which I could help others and develop myself. The Cultural Connecting project, gave me the opportunity to work in a different environment while developing my English skills. Moreover, I was able to contact
directly with a different culture, which helped me to become more understanding towards different perspectives. I decided to take this internship in Slovenia because when I was 10 years old I watched a documentary about Slovenian history, education, nature and traditions, and from that moment on I had the dream to come here. I have no doubts that it was the best decision. My integration in Kranj was easy since the local office of AIESEC in Kranj supported all my needs and helped me to find the best solutions for my projects. I became much more solution oriented and learnt how to communicate effectively, two valuable assets in any professional. Without a doubt this was the best decision I made in my life, to go abroad on a volunteering experience that helped me to develop my global mindset and proactive learning.
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AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Diaries Franci Stariha
photo: personal archives
“AIESEC showed me it’s not about the goals, but the path that will lead you there”
FRANCI STARIHA DIRECTOR Starplast
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joined the AIESEC office in Kranj, during my first year of studies and soon I was elected as President, local office President. Right away I faced a challenging situation since many of the most experienced members left with all their experience and knowledge and my entity got the into the “alert” mode status, meaning, if the reality would not change AIESEC in Kranj might have to be closed. During the next year my local office was able to connect with local NGOs in Kranj thus marking the first incoming exchange in Kranj, since a long time. It was a blast to help incoming trainees to integrate our society and showing them Slovenia. After my time working in Kranj and in the National office I had the chance to be-
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come President of AIESEC Slovenia (2002/2003). As President of AIESEC Slovenia I had two team members, Suzana Kovacic and Mee Peng Toh from Malaysia who helped me solving the challenges we faced creatively. In this year we hosted an European, which brought more attention towards our country internationally and generated profit that was then allocated to a membership development fund. During that year AIESEC in Slovenia was celebrating its 50th anniversary, therefore we hosted a commemorative event in Ljubljana’s castle. Our most visible alumnus, at the time, President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr. Janez Drnovšek, was the honorary event sponsor. After my membership experience ended I decided to enrol on a professional internship abroad with AIESEC. I went to Slovakia where I worked in the market penetration of ex-Yugoslavia markets. These professional experiences are not only great for your resume but working abroad with AIESEC will develop you as a person and give you a career head start. It will be an experience you will remember forever. You can, for instances, work in a top tech lab with the newest technologies or get from 2 to 18 months of work experience inside some of the most known corporations in the world. Then going to a new and unknown environment will bring out the best of you. It is especially important for young people to get to know themselves and see the world beyond their native boarders. This type of experience helped me decide what I wanted to do with my life. By pushing you out
of your boundaries, you end up expanding them, and dare even further. AIESEC gave me that. All my experiences in AIESEC taught me that nothing is impossible because some goals only require more energy and time than others. It’s not about the goals themselves, but about the path that will lead you there.
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Diaries Matic Kasnic
MATIC KAŠNIK DIGITAL CONTENT MARKETING MANAGER, EDUCATION FIRST
photo: personal archives
“You should follow your passion and always surround yourself with extraordinary people” I
“ learnt, with AIESEC, that the single most important thing is that you have to follow your passion and surround yourself with people who are more experienced. They will push you out of your comfort zone and enable you to constantly achieve personal and professional growth.” I am always seeking new challenges in life and that’s what brought me to join AIESEC in Ljubljana, which was one of the most important decisions of my life. I was pursuing an engineer degree in Computer Science when I took a year off to find what my passion in life was. That made me curious and after working as a developer in a corporation I found my passion for constantly learning new things and that enabled me to discover the world of digital marketing, leadership and startups. I had the privilege of leading the local chapter of AIESEC Ljubljana. I found myself working in various projects such as Youth 2 Business Forum, or the organization of international conferences. Later, I applied for an internship, which at that point seemed impossible for me to get. I managed to prove my value for EF Education First and I was accepted to go on a life changing journey in India, leading a digital marketing department. Living in a country which challenges you everyday enabled me to excel my learning experience even more. Not only I got to know different cultures from around the world, it also enabled me to learn from the best in the industry. One of the most important lessons that I learned is to always be curious and
trying to get in the same mindset as some of the industry giants have. I am still learning new things everyday and that allows me to really pursue my passion in digital marketing and working in a startup environment (even though EF is a global 42,000+ employees enterprise) Thanks to prior experiences I had in AIESEC, I got offered a full-time position, just 2 months after my internship started, to manage the digital marketing team in Bangalore. This way I was able to prove my value, not only to myself but also the company. If there’s one thing that I’d have to expose from this experience is that there are no failures. We only win
and we learn and keeping a positive outlook makes me want to pursue for even bigger challenges. 9
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Quiz
Where should you go this summer? A
re you the type of person who loves to spend your free time on a different country? Does exploring the amazing wonders around the world sound like a plan for your holidays? Then maybe it’s time to find out, where should you go this summer!
Q1: Your exams have finished. What is the first thing you will do? a) Have a drink with friends b) Watch TV and eat. That is what I was born to do! c) Party all night long d) Take a long drive without special destination e) Spend the evening at the beach with my buddies f) Adventure sports. They are my true calling!
Q2: Which of these activities would interest you the most? a) Listen to rock music b) Sand Boarding c) Sun Bathing d) Shopping e) Admiring Light Sky Lanterns f) Partying
COLOMBIA/BRAZIL YOU SHOULD GO: A B C D E F
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 R/F R/F B/C I/E B/C C/B I/E R/F B/C R/F R/F C/B I/E B/C I/E I/E I/E B/C R/F I/E R/F I/E R/F C/B C/B R/F I/E -
R/F Russia/Finland; C/B Colombia/Brazil; I/E Indonesia/Egypt Your next destination is the one you selected 3 or more times. Check the details of each destination in the next page.
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Colombia has major attractions as a tourist destination, such as Cartagena. It has the most famous festivals such as the Cali’s Fair, or the Flower Festival, the most famous in Colombia. Brazil the country with one of the biggest florests in the world (Amazonia) is known for its warm people and extravagant landscapes. Dare learning to dance some samba this summer!
illustration: Maša Kušar
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Quiz
Q4: What best describes your personality? a) Reflexive b) Emotive c) Laid back d) Orderly e) Persistent f) Hard Working
Q3: Which of these dishes would you like to try the most? a) Moqueca b) Fried vendace c) Soto d) Crunchy Taco Rice and Beef Bowl e) Tahini salad f) Steak Tartar
Q5: Which music style do you prefer? a) Samba b) Folk c) Arabic
RUSSIA/FINLAND
EGYPT/ INDONESIA
Russia contains 23 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Major tourist routes in Russia include a travel around the Golden Ring of ancient cities, cruises on the big rivers including the Volga, and long journeys on the famous Trans-Siberian Railway. Finland is famous for its 200,000 lakes. It has green deep forests around the sea and its endless summer days are another attraction.
Egypt has intemporal places full of history like Alexandria or Cairo. Its ethnic traditions make anyone desiring to try them. Indonesia is a fortunate cultural paradise, ranging from the Jampit coffee plantations, to the Bromo Mountain or even the Ijen Crater. Not to forget the famous Bali islands!
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AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Slovenians in the World
Slovenians in the World
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orld wide, AIESEC has allowed more than 50 000 young people to have international experiences, only during the last year. Slovenians who have gone abroad with AIESEC pointed out logistical support, cultural integration, and relevance of their functions as some of the reasons that made them go on such experiences. The map shows the most popular destinations during the last year. Countries like Russia and Bulgaria appear as the hot spots for professional opportunities, whereas Egypt and Kazakhstan come up as the preferred destinations in the volunteering experiences.
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AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Slovenians in the World
WORK ABROAD
Professional Internship Destinations Russia Hungary Tunisia Qatar Japan Germany Belgium India The Netherlands Switzerland
VOLUNTEER ABROAD
Volunteering Internship Destinations Egypt Bulgaria Bahrain Marocco Lebanon Portugal Kazakhstan
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AIESEC Leadership Magazine: 2015 Trends
illustration: Maša Kušar
World Economic Forum Agenda 2015
TOP 10 TRENDS OF 2015 DEEPENING INCOME INEQUALITY | PERSISTENT JOBLESS GROWTH | LACK OF LEADERSHIP | RISING GEOSTRATEGIC COMPETITION | WEAKENING OF REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY | RISING POLLUTION IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD | INCREASING OCCURRENCE OF SEVERE WEATHER EVENTS | GROWING IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH IN THE ECONOMY | INCREASING WATER STRESS | INTENSIFYING NATIONALISM 14
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: 2015 Trends in Slovenia
2015 in Slovenia INTERNATIONAL OVERVIEW KATJA MANFREDA Slovenian Student under the Erasmus program in Italy
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ccording with the World Economic Forum (WEF) the current year will be shaped by 10 social trends worldwide. In Slovenia we could easily relate to some of them. When speaking of lack of leadership in Slovenia we are mostly focusing on the ineffective and inefficient leadership, both in governmental and business sphere. We could see lots of people being tried for irregularities in their work process, illegally obtained property (of uncertain origin), plagiarism, corruption, among others. Last few years were also very unstable governmentally speaking, since we have seen quick collapse of coalitions, resignations and we have held elections several times. As stated by WEF (2015, 14), the deeper you go into these endemic failures, the harder it is for anyone to emerge as a strong leader; one is forced to play the game the way it’s built – which is inevitably in the interest of the system, and rarely in the interest of the people”. This seems to be descriptive enough to understand the leadership issue in Slovenia. Trust in political institutions and processes are one of the basic principles to ensure that democracy is being implemented in a society properly. Not only there is huge distrust in our leadership, since the global economy crashed in 2008, there has been an erosion of trust in political institutions and processes, which can also be described as weakening of representative democracy. As WEF (2015, 20) stated we have 19th century institutions with 20th century mindsets, attempting to communicate with 21st century citizens. When governments stop being the center of everything, and the people perceive that they have become the problemsolvers that is when things will change the inefficient leadership has impacted the employment sector. In other words, it caused the increased unemployment in Slovenia. The term persistent jobless growth refers to
the phenomenon in which economies exiting recessions show economic growth while merely maintaining – or, in some cases, decreasing – their level of employment (WEF 2015, 11). Even though we can´t really see the economic growth in Slovenia, we can easily relate to the problem of decreased level of employment every year. Confirming this, Slovenia showed an increasing unemployment rate between December 2014 and January 2015, of 0, 5 %. Youth unemployment rate, represented 24, 80 % or 30.832 individuals (Primorske novice 2015), has serious consequences for our society, such as brain drain. On the other hand we would expect some consequences of inefficient leadership also in the employment sector. Income inequality presents bigger world-wide. However, the statistical evidence shows this is not the case in Slovenia. To understand what income inequality is we can associate it with the idea of income ´fairness´, meaning that it is generally considered ´unfair´ if the rich have a disproportionally larger portion of a country’s income compared to their population. Income inequality is most often measured by GINI coefficient. OECD measurments show that, the Gini coefficient is lowest in Slovenia, Denmark and Norway (OECD fact book 2013), which means that income is quite fairly distributed among citizens of our country. It is quite a pleasant surprise that Slovenia actually ranked number 1 in income equality. Living in Italy for the past year gave me a chance to see reality from a different perspective and be able to compare it to a different country’s society, too. If we can feel dissatisfaction with leadership and increasing distrust in national institutions in Slovenia, the situation is similar in Italy. Nonetheless, I see the Italian case as an opportunity to show that, so called, “western countries” can have more problems within the country compared to newly established countries of “Eastern Europe”. Italy is known as a country with unstable governments and scandals caused by its former Prime Minister Berlusconi. Removal of Berlusconi from the government slightly increased trust in political system in general and gave hope to give a new face to Italian government internationally. Matteo Renzi, new young prime minister, rep15
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: 2015 Trends
resented possibility of improving the situation in Italy, because he was able to identify the most urgent problems for Italy, to propose solutions with specific deadlines, to package messages to be easily understood by the public and making them strongly influential to society. However his popularity decreased strongly due to a problem of unemployment and large income inequality. Summing up, Slovenia and Italy are fighting similar struggle as any other European country. Main problems listed also by WEF could easily be defined as current issues in both countries’ external and domestic affairs. The lack of trust in our leaders does not give much hope for proper solving of the problems in near future, since we are mostly focusing on solving their personal problems.. Nonetheless, my perspective is optimistic for Slovenia. I strongly believe that systems are meant to be broken sooner or later, and refreshed/new rules can be implemented if the current one is not working. And as being a part of student’s society in Slovenia, I have also been a part of student’s organizations, where I had a chance to meet great youngsters who have great leadership skills, great ideas, and the most important thing, they share passion and willingness to change the mindset in people that situation happening right now is unacceptable and that we should show, that we will not keep up with it. Notwithstanding, what I have learned from living abroad is that situation in Slovenia, without doubt, needs to be improved. I have also realized that other countries might be dealing with similar problems, for example in Italy. It is up to Slovenian youth to take some action because we have knowledge and (man) power to create an environment in which we would like to live.
HOW TO DEAL WITH THESE TRENDS? From the youth perspective There are several students’ organizations in Slovenia, which implies a wide range of opportunities for Slovenian students to be empowered. Nonetheless, the potential of these institutions seems to not have been used to the fullest. Slovenian youth seems to have fallen into a deep state of apathy. So the question is how can youth associativism help overcoming the current social trends that Slovenia is facing?
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Let’s look at AIESEC, an international organization which aims to develop youth leadership through exchange or membership experience. As an international organization, AIESEC has been established in the end of the 2nd world war, in order to develop young people to become responsible leaders. It is expected that these young leaders will be able to prevent atrocities, like the ones that occurred during the wars, to happen again in the future. AIESEC programs of exchange and membership focus in four main assets that every individual should develop self-awareness, solution orientation, ability to empower others and development of borderless mindset. By being self-aware means you are aware of your own strengths and improvement aspects so you know what are your boundaries, what are the roles you are able to execute and which do you still need to work on. Solution orientation is about adaptability and resilience, ability to come up with a different approach every time you face a challenge. AIESEC strives to develop effective communicative leaders, people who are able to communicate within different societies, develop and empower others. In the end, you start believing in your own ability to make a difference in the world while taking the responsibility of building a better future with your own hands. However, there is still an unanswered question of what kind of experience AIESEC provides that is able to develop these leaders. When talking about exchange programs it is important to give a clear distinction between professional and volunteering exchanges. The first enables youth to develop the leadership assets by working in a company abroad, whereas the latter focuses more on providing positive impact on a different society by participating in short term projects, focused in youth cultural education, NGOs support, among others. By developing these projects AIESEC aims to help societies’ development and individuals’ personal empowerment. For example, it is well known that Latin America is facing challenges in education, especially in education and AIESEC has been providing an effective solution for this issue. During the last year more than 6000 young internationals moved to Latin America to deliver, among others, English classes to youngsters in the region. This way hosting societies had their people empowered with new educational approaches and, at the same time, more than 6000 international individuals were able to develop their leadership skills, global mindset, and communication skills.
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: 2015 Trends in Slovenia
More than 7000 people have been developed, during the last year, through AIESEC exchange programs only in Latin America. This number increases if we consider the 5000 members, worldwide, who were responsible to facilitate the exchange to happen. Not only they have provided a life changing experience to participants but, as members, they also developed a wide range of skills, such as proactiveness, project management, negotiation skills, global mindset, among others. It is relevant to mention that these kinds of skills are lacking all over the world and Slovenia is no exception. We have previously seen that one of the biggest prob-
lems Slovenia is facing is lack of leadership, which can be overcome by having young people more involved in this type of into programs AIESEC develops. It is pertinent to mention AIESEC – United Nations partnership that has been established in 2014. These two organizations have decided to collaborate, not only to strengthen the voices and actions of young people towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), but also and in the creation and delivery of the post2015 Global Development Agenda. This is why projects like MY World survey 2015 and the World We Want 2015 engagement platform (YouthSpeak 2014) were developed. Notwithstanding, AIESEC is not the only international organization that is creating a positive impact. It is also fair to mention initiatives like the European Voluntary Service (EVS), or entities like Red Cross, Amnesty International, Green Peace or Human Rights Watch, whose impact is also worth sharing.
illustration: Maša Kušar
On the other hand, more than 1200 job opportunities were created and delivered, within the same time scope and in the same region. Through this, AIESEC helped young people in the development of their professional experience. Overall through this type of exchange AIESEC is striving to improve cultural understanding across borders.
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AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Internationals Leaders with Slovenian Experiences
photo: personal archives
“For sure I wouldn’t be where I am now if I didn’t know how to lead a team!” antibodies. She is Russian and was a research associate in Jožef Stefan Institute, in Ljubljana for 12 years, and soon moved to the USA. She is passionate about science and throughout her life she had to learn how to lead a team. She was actually the head of several research projects thus also having the opportunity of facing the perks of working on a multicultural environment. When questioned about Slovenian scientists Olga states that “Slovenia has many outstanding scientists recognized all over the world.” And ”that one of the best ways to attract people to the scientific world is to showcase the things that we discover everyday and what we will be able to do in the future. Supporting international conferences, for instances, would be an effective way not only to attract young Slovenians to science but also to attract science to Slovenia.”
OLGA VASILJEVA Head of Department in CYTOMX Proteomics (CA, USA)
”I
first heard about the scientific wonders when I was a little kid and while going through the news I bumped on a headline who as mentioning the wonders of gene manipulation. In that moment I felt that I had found what I was supposed to do with my life.” Olga is the head of the protein development department team in CYTOMX Proteomics, an American company that develops protein-based cancer treatments, using
Through Olga’s eyes, the beauty of science lays in the way how problems can give scientists’ space to be creative and try different approaches, this also why critical and analytical thinking are keys during the scientific research, “after all, if it is not working that is just because no one discovered it yet!”. When asked about the least preferred features of science Olga mentions, without hesitation, “the funding system adjacent to academia” which, says, to be too competitive, difficult and, somehow, a bit preventive of other good projects to develop. When asked for a solution to this issue leadership was one of the solutions pointed out. Actually she confesses that she wouldn’t be where she is today if she didn’t know how to lead a team. As a leader, she says, “you need to be able to motivate your team, be patient and, never forget, that you too need to develop yourself and try to be better everyday”. It seems that leadership is not only a business thing. It is, actually, necessary across sectors and the best part is that it can be developed. 19
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Confessions of a Slovenian Architecture abroad
photo: personal archives
“We need to be hard workers with a business plan and a global perspective that reaches accross borders ” school was already a sign of inferiority among kids. In Ljubljana I was considered a provincial and not really worthy of the city’s ‘sophistication’. Even Barcelona had certain reservations towards me – its strongest weapon against me was the unbearable summer weather though. And yet all of these places had much to offer. Each of them challenged me to fight for my spot and prove my worthiness in the place I wanted to belong to. It forces you to get out of your comfort zone and look into yourself to find that thing that makes you special – something you do differently that intrigues people and make them keeping you around.
MANCA AHLIN Architect
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aving a ‘Heidi-like’ childhood in a small village of 7 houses on a hill where you would have your own sheep in lieu of a dog, where you would be taking lunch to your grandfather working in the forest and where your grandmother would teach you crochet in snowy winter days would seem like an envious way to grow up. And yet since the time I enrolled in primary school in Ziri – a town merely 5km away, I kept on having a feeling of being an outsider. Having to take the regional bus to 20
Slovenia During primary school, my parents would drop me off at the ungodly six in the morning at the Lacemaking School to spend my time there before and after classes. In time the pattern design selection became too bare for my childishly silly ideas and I started to draw my own patterns. They were well accepted so I began to sell them at the lace fairs – a young entrepreneur that made some vacation money. High school for design in Ljubljana showed me what professional design is and suddenly my lace doilies seemed much too silly to spend any more of my time for them. By the time I finished study of architecture the lacemaking scene seemed like a distant memory of a movie I have seen a long time ago and my adolescent arrogance wanted to almost erase that aspect of my life. I wanted to belong to the urban scene, not the rural crafty farmer’s provinciality that felt like the set of The Sound of Music. How little you actually know when you think you know everything…
Finland My misconceptions started to dilute after few experiences abroad, where I got to meet with extremely diverse groups of people from all corners of the world. In high school I was extremely lucky to be selected to participate at the design workshop in the north of Finland. Travelling throughout the vast plains of Lapland and working with the local artists offered a fantastic inside into the harsh nature of the North and their pragmatic approach to life. Czech Republic With very limited financial resources during my university years it was very hard to travel abroad, anywhere further than the neighboring countries, in spite of all the strong wishes to see the world. Until I came across an international student organization that offered paid internships across the world. The world suddenly became smaller and more accessible. During my work experience in Prague I got a crash course in English dialects from my new Irish friend while the playfulness of the Czech design taught me we don’t need to take our work too seriously (as we Slovenians tend to overburden ourselves with). Ireland Working in Dublin made me familiar with the Georgian architecture and the Anglo-Saxon culture, and Guinness. I could not emphasize enough how fantastic these experiences are. You get to learn about a culture and the city in a much deeper way than just being a tourist while you establish lifelong connections with friends across the globe. Barcelona I knew I wanted to be an architect since primary school and almost like a cliché wanted to fit into the architectural scene where the slightly older generation was setting the trends of the new architecture in Slovenia. It didn’t take much to figure out that all of the most successful contemporary architects have finished a postgraduate degree abroad and after returning home it seemed they started to look at our environment with fresh eyes to transform the space in a much more creative way. I took a loan and moved to Barcelona that offered a study program I was interested in and it was Barcelona after all! Back in Slovenia The theory of the fresh look after returning home
photo: personal archives, Manca Ahlin
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Confessions of a Slovenian Architecture abroad
turned out to be valid as I have soon won an architectural competition with a group of friends taking an approach I never thought of before – integrating the existing typology and materials of the Karst region into the new architecture and thus merging old with new in an organic way instead of introducing another shiny new box. New York Then I made it! After a few years of intense working days and nights (literally), mostly for free, when the recession reached Slovenia and the construction nearly stopped, I could legally move to New York – a city that I fell in love with at my first visit. They told me you have to come to New York with a plan, otherwise the city will eat you alive. I had one, or at least I thought so. Until the realization that everyone in New York is already ‘an artist’, much more outspoken with a perfect elevator pitch and a fantastic ego made me rethink my presentation. There are already too many architects out there. My craft making skills that I have been keeping in the shadow for more than a decade, came up again and became my greatest asset. The one that actually made me stand out. Life is what happens while you are making other plans, they say, and times it changes in an uncharted direction where no established patterns are working anymore. Slovenians are hard workers we say. It’s true and this is still an admirable quality. Now we need to be hard workers with a business plan and a global perspective that reaches far across our national borders. We need to become creators of our own future and our own brand. It is ok to make mistakes and step away from our charted path since every experience will count, give a new perspective and expand the horizon whether it be in professional field or personal connections. 21
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: SUMMIT 100
photo: SUMMIT 100, 2015
2 days, 100 Leaders and many cooperations accross sectors For a stronger Balkan Region
MARTA SILVA Marketing and Public Relations AIESEC Slovenia 2014/15
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uring the 1st and 2nd of June key economic drivers were reviewed and discussed between businessmen and political leaders. Many inputs were exchanged among participants and facilitators. Questions were raised and new perspectives of problem solving were presented.
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Southeast Europe and Transorts Accessibility Violeta Bulc, European Commissioner for Transport, delivered a key note about the “Smart and Innovative Transport as Tool for a Competititve Regional Economy�. In this space Mrs Bulc stated clearly how accessibility and connectivity can influence the strategic economical positioning of a region.
Having a business on a city which is fairly connected with other national and international destinations is a competitive advantage and it will, inevitably, open doors for new businesses
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: SUMMIT 100
and investments. The reason is simple, if you can be
Still under this mobility and transportation theme, the relevance of sustainable means of transportation was, once again, reinforced by the mayors of Ljubljana, Zagreb and Sarajevo, present in the discussion. Here there is again a strict synergy between the economical and environmental sphere.
This statement opened space for a cloud of thoughts, in which, the mayors agreed with the possibility of coupling each capital’s special assets as an attractive regional selling package. This initiative might have been inspired by the successful political cooperation in the Nordic Region.
photo: SUMMIT 100, 2015
The transports/transportation subject gained here a sexier connotation especially when, on top of this, the subject was merged with the international cooperation that the Central Eastern Europe region can establish.
In fact, Ljubljana was reviewed as the capital that is able to combine natural landscapes with the business market and touristic mobility needs. It is no mistake that this city has been awarded, as the European Green Capital for 2016. Smarter Cities It was clear that the capitals of the Central Eastern Europe region are striving to become smart-cities, by combining the social needs with the smart technology available. Nevertheless innovation was pointed as still lacking among the capital cities.
closer to your customers and/or branches in a faster way you will spend less time in itineration and it will allow you to keep supporting them directly. On the other hand, usually, the bigger accessibility the more services available, since people can easily access those spots and engage in the city’s opportunities.
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photo: Yves Morieux in SUMMIT 100, 2015
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: SUMMIT 100
How the Nordics do In conversation with Mr Dagfin Høybråten, the General Secretary of the Nordic Council of Ministers, the AIESEC Leadership Magazine got to know that, in fact, the political Nordic Cooperation started following a bottom-up framework. This means that the citizens of the different countries were the ones bringing the political class together. Politics just led the alignment of the social expectations and needs between the countries.
By becoming more engaged, citizens will develop the feeling of responsibility towards the current reality, thus increasing their contribution in the decision making process.
The key for such an initiative to be possible was the Nordics’ level of engagement within their societies. In the Balkans there is still a gap to fill, but the obvious cultural and geographical similarities naturally bring them closer.
These were some of the messages shared in the Summit100. All of them worth to hear, now you just need to take action.
Looking the future in the eyes Like Mr Yves Morieux (Managing Director of the Boston Consulting Group) mentioned, the context drive behaviors, and these drive results. Maybe now would be the time to address the lack of citizens’ engagement instead of just addressing citizens’ dissatisfaction. 24
Once the citizenship, in each individual country, becomes conscious and engaged, then the political division can drive the strategic political alliances in the desired direction.
photo: SUMMIT 100, 2015
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: SUMMIT 100
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AIESEC Leadership Magazine: My steps to Make it Happen/ My International Experiences Bucket List
My International Experiences Bucket List
My Steps to Make it Happen
AIESEC Partners
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