AIESEC UA
ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008
INTRODUCTION
Dear AIESEC-members, partners, parents, stakeholders, Dear AIESEC friends, As current president of AIESEC UA, I have the privilege of writing a few introducing lines to this wonderful annual report. I believe this is the perfect opportunity for me to express my gratitude to all the people who made it possible to have such an amazing year with AIESEC. And let us be clear about one thing: 2007-2008 was an exceptional successful year for our organisation! My term started in July 2007, when I took over of Naomi. Not an easy task for 20062007 had been an amazing year as well. But nevertheless, me, Birgit, Nathalie, Magali, Marijke, Quinten, Pieter and Rik started our term with a positive and enthusiastic feeling, sure of making 2007-2008 a year that none of us would ever forget. Well, I am not lying if I state today that we, as a whole team, succeeded in this difficult task. When I presented the new team on the Stakeholdersevent last year, I said we wanted to take step forward. I can only say that we didn‟t take a step forward, we took a giant leap forward. We managed to raise and realise more exchanges than ever before, we recruited more active members than ever before, we had more sponsors and learning partners, we had more and new activities organised, we completely restyled our website and we have made sure the financial structure of AIESEC UA is more solid than ever before. But what I believe that contributed most to the success of this year, is that we have created an exceptional atmosphere within our committee, a special feeling that made us passionate and proud of what we did! This made sure that all members were ready to give themselves for the full 100% for our committee, and the friendships that were realised during this process are of a value I cannot describe! Personally, I have had the time of my life this year! Getting to know so many amazing people, organising such great activities, being involved in such a wonderful organisation… I can only be grateful for the opportunity I was given and say that it has been an honour for me to have been standing next to you guys in going through this wonderful journey! Some people say that beautiful songs do not last for long… But with the new team in place, I am more than sure that AIESEC UA faces another year full of successes, joy and friendship!!
AIESEC UA can be reached at:
Thank you very much for this amazing experience! AIESEC UA vzw
Dimitri Ruyssers Local Committee President 2007- 2008 AIESEC University of Antwerp
Liesbeth Ollieuz Local Committee President ’05-‘06
Prinsstraat 13 2000 Antwerpen +32 (0)3 220 40 25 www.aiesecua.be
What is AIESEC? AIESEC is an international platform for young people to discover and develop their potential in order to have a positive impact in society. Our platform enables organisations to interact and to source high potential university students and recent graduates from all over the world through our exchange program, conferences and, physical and virtual communication tools.
Are you waiting for the future or helping to build it?
Our Vision Peace and Fulfilment of Humankind's Potential.
Activating leadership since 1948
Our Nature
What began in 1948 as an organisation with an aim to develop "friendly relations" between member countries is now a global association based in over 90 different countries and territories. During its history, AIESEC has provided more than one million people with highly impactful leadership experiences.
AIESEC is a global, non-political, independent, not-for-profit organisation, run by students and recent graduates of institutions of higher education. Its members are interested in world issues, leadership and management. AIESEC does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, creed, religion, and national, ethnic or social origin. Our Role Our international platform enables young people to discover and develop their potential to provide leadership for a positive impact on society.
Connecting people and organisations
Our Core Work
At every stage of its history, AIESEC has been connecting people and organisations.
AIESEC provides its members with an integrated development experience comprised of leadership opportunities, international internships and participation in a global learning environment Our Values Activating Leadership - We lead by example and inspire leadership through action and results. We take full responsibility for our role in developing the potential of people. Demonstrating Integrity - We are consistent and transparent in our decisions and actions. We fulfil our commitments and conduct ourselves in a way that is true to our identity. Living Diversity - We seek to learn from different ways of life and opinions represented in our multicultural environment. We respect and actively encourage the contribution of every individual. Enjoying Participation - We create a dynamic environment by active and enthusiastic participation of individuals. We enjoy being involved in AIESEC. Striving for Excellence - We aim to deliver the highest quality performance in everything we do. Through creativity and innovation we seek to continuously improve. Acting Sustainably - We act in a way that is sustainable for our organisation and society. Our decisions take into account the
needs of future generations.
Throughout time, this has had a different aim. In 1950, it was used to bridge nations after World War II. In 1970 to develop internationally aware managers. Looking for more relevance, nowadays AIESEC is the international platform for young people to discover and develop their potential. Our innovative approach to developing young people focuses on taking a proactive role, developing self-awareness and a personal vision, building networks, and developing capacity to drive change.
Youth driven organisation We are an organisation which is driven by youth in an energetic, innovative, passionate and dynamic way. We share our hopes and ambitions for a better future.
To find out more about AIESEC and possible ways to become a partner, please visit: www.aiesec.be www.aiesecua.be
AIESEC 2010 “Every day, AIESEC is enabling the development of agents of positive change who create the needed impact in society. Our rapidly growing network connects high potential people around the world to generate an increasing volume of AIESEC Experiences. Every member in our thriving local and global communities of learning completes a life-changing AIESEC Experience. Our contribution makes us the first choice amongst young people and organizations for activating leadership.”
Every day, AIESEC should be allowing individuals to develop into people who can produce positive change in their environments. The emphasis on AIESEC being an enabler reflects the self-driven aspect of the AIESEC Experience. The continued focus on creating agents of positive change with the characteristics of social responsibility, entrepreneurship, cultural sensitivity, and active learning, is an important continuation of AIESEC‟s focus for the past years, and reflects a simple yet ambitious goal.
During the International Congress 2005 in India (Agra), the whole AIESEC Network refreshed the identity of the organisation.
We wish to create the change that is truly relevant for our societies, and the change agents we produce are the ones who will indeed create this impact. Creating the needed impact means we have to be examining the needs of our communities and ensuring that our people have the opportunities that they need to be able to impact the specific needs of our societies.
This describes how AIESEC strives to be by the year 2010.
The network should be growing at a fast pace in geographic presence, quantity of members and internships, and number of partners. This is a specific ambition, ensuring that all of the above are growing. Regarding the members, we seek to fill AIESEC with individuals who can best embody, pursue, and deliver upon our vision and values – „high potential people‟. One of the powers of AIESEC is our ability to connect these high potential people throughout the network. It is crucially important that we constantly strive to increase the quantity of AIESEC Experiences we are able to create. The increasing volume means that there is never enough, and that each day we want to be generating a higher volume of AIESEC Experiences. This also means we need to focus on sustainable increases in volume of AIESEC Experiences. We aim to grow in results year after year but in a sustainable way in which all of our sub-systems are healthy. Our ambition is that each AIESEC member is able to go through an AIESEC Experience that includes all the stages and forms of learning in an environment reflective of the principles of the AIESEC Experience. The communities of deep and lasting learning we wish to create include our members, our alumni, and our partners. These communities are local at base, but the interaction of these local communities combines to form a global community of learning. The result of all we do will mean that young people will prefer to join AIESEC, and organizations will look to us first for the leaders they need.
As well as this, we also agreed on the AIESEC 2010 statement.
AIESEC Difference Our innovative approach to developing young people focuses on taking a proactive role, developing self-awareness and a personal vision, building networks, and developing capacity to drive change. We do this through an international platform of opportunities that provides our members with over 5,000 leadership opportunities, 3,500 work abroad opportunities, 350 conferences, and virtual tools to build networks. Together with the principles of the AIESEC Approach, this platform is how we give young people the desire and capacity to have a positive impact on society – that is the AIESEC Difference
The AIESEC platform allows individuals to craft their own experience through the available opportunities. The result is typically a 1-5 year experience that produces individuals with the following skills and experiences:
AIESEC Experience The following diagram shows the different steps in the AIESEC experience.
Leadership Experience Through the management of over 700 offices at the local, national, and international level, AIESEC members have the opportunity to lead teams in different areas, do planning, take decisions, speak in public, and turn their ideas into action. AIESEC members are oriented to enter situations with the intention to make things happen. Multi-Functional Skills AIESEC members get practical experience in all facets of running an organization, including sales and marketing, customer servicing, recruitment, evaluation, budgeting, planning, project management, presentation skills, and more. Practical experience in such a broad range of areas is unique for university students. Effectiveness The way we run a global organization with such an impressive scale of programs and almost 100% turnover is through an incredible commitment from our members. AIESEC members invest between 15-30 hours a week in the organization while also managing university, part-time jobs, family, and friends. They learn how to manage their time, set priorities, and multi-task. Global and Diversity Through the management of our exchange program and interaction on our global on-line platforms, the average AIESEC member is working and communicating every day with people from all over the world. Nearly all AIESEC members speak more than 1 language and have an international experience. AIESEC members learn how to work effectively in diverse environments and see things from a global perspective. Self-Awareness With a focus on reflection, AIESEC provides space and support for individuals to do goal-setting, personal awareness exercises, and personal vision development. Pushed by an inspiring environment, AIESEC members develop a strong sense of who they are and the role they would like to play in the future. This is the AIESEC Difference – what gives people with AIESEC experience an edge over other young people and what drives them to play valuable roles within their workplaces and communities.
All members go through a formal introduction to the organization and then begin to take on responsibility in some area. They then have the option to take on leadership, work abroad, or both. The final step is to head for the future – to take the skills, inspiration, and networks from AIESEC to have a positive impact in society. This flow and the opportunities within it are reinforced by 5 key principles that are reflected in all parts of the process. - Take an active role in your learning & the learning of others - Constantly challenge your worldview - Increase, both your practical & theoretical knowledge - Create a network of contacts - Developing self awareness & personal vision.
AIESEC in Belgium
AIESEC in Belgium offers the platform through which members create their own AIESEC experience. This same platform also serves to connect our partner organisations to the talented young people within AIESEC. The main opportunities for the members are working abroad, leadership experience, conferences, supported self-discovery, and the learning networks in an early phase. Working Abroad – the opportunity to work abroad is the defining element of the platform and is the most intense experience we offer. We enable about 3,500 members to work abroad each year in management, technical, education, and development areas. Our current partners include organisations such as: ABN AMRO, Bridgestone, Danone, DHL, Electrolux, InBev, Junior Chamber International, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sony, LMS International, Rockwell, Johnson Controls, JobEQ, Statoil and Team Laser Press. Leadership Experience – through the management of 11 offices at the local and national level, we provide at least 60 leadership opportunities for our members every year. This provides our members with valuable and practical experience in both hard and soft skills in management and leadership.
AIESEC in Belgium enables approximately 200 active members to discover and develop their potential through a full AIESEC experience. All members are spread over a national network of 11 universities and business schools (KU Leuven, EHSAL, FUCaM, ICHEC, UCL, University of Antwerp, University of Gent, University of Hasselt, ULB/Solvay, UMH and VLEKHO). They go through an introduction to the organisation and then begin to take on responsibilities in different areas. AIESEC in Belgium offers its members the chance to take leadership roles, work abroad, or both. The final step is to head to the future – this is when the members take the skills, inspiration, and networks from AIESEC to have a positive impact in society.
Conferences – we organise approximately 7 conferences each year to train and develop our members. These conferences provide the opportunity to practice leadership, participate in important training, and develop a strong network. Our partners include organisations such as ABN AMRO, Dynamo, PricewaterhouseCoopers, EBBF, International Works, BASE, IBGraf, Junior Chamber International, OK Consulting and DHL. Learning Networks - through virtual and physical interaction, AIESEC in Belgium encourages its membership towards learning networks which enable our different stakeholders to come together to develop their skills, knowledge, and networks on topics of interest. Example of learning network topics AIESEC Belgium has focused on this year are Corporate Social Responsibility and Finance. The majority of our partner organisations engage with AIESEC through one of these platforms in order to increase their profile, attract top talent to their organisation, or to support our efforts in enabling young people to develop and discover their potential. AIESEC in Belgium can be reached at:
AIESEC in Belgium vzw/asbl Koningsstraat 221, rue Royale 1210 Brussels Tel.: +32 (0)2 219 94 64 Fax: +32 (0)2 217 47 93 E-mail: be.mc@aiesec.org
AIESEC’s international exchange program
The exchange program has different steps. This is the procedure we follow in order to realise a satisfaction of all our stakeholders.
Internal Screening: Each AIESEC-office pre-screens candidates through a review board consisting of interviews and tests
Profile identification: You determine the desired candidate profile and job description for your intern.
Intern selection: AIESEC presents a number of suitable candidates and facilitates the selection process by arranging telephone or online interviews.
Visa services: AIESEC arranges the visa for the intern Pre-arrival services: AIESEC supports the intern with cultural preparation and goal-setting exercises.
. Post-arrival services: AIESEC arranges logistics, such as accommodation, pick up and registration of the intern. Integration services: AIESEC provides ongoing activities for the interns and connects them to a network of other AIESEC members
Evaluation: AIESEC facilitates an evaluation process for both the organization and the intern throughout the internship to ensure objectives and expectations from all sides are being met.
AIESEC in Belgium works with all these organisations to provide students and recent graduates from abroad a challenging work experience.
The following companies partnered with AIESEC for exchange, at least once since 2005:
ABN AMRO AGFA Alcatel Bridgestone Dexia DHL/Deutsche Post Worldwide Network Electrolux Exel EABIS InBev Instromet International JobEQ Johnson Controls LMS International Lâ€&#x;Oreal Lu Management Cockpits PricewaterhouseCoopers Rockwell Automation Sony Statoil Team Laser Press TechTeam 4U Campus
AIESEC UA’s External Relations
About the External Relations-team „Double the VP, double the energy‟ was the slogan we created when the both of us applied together, as a team, for the function of VP External Relations. It would be a challenge to fulfill the same function, working together as one person. But now, one year later, we believe that the combination Marijke en Magali has created a synergy in favor of the development of AIESEC UA. Together with our amazing and hard working ER team, we worked around the three S‟s that symbolized our ER focus areas: Sell, Structure and Sexy. We chose Sell as a keyword because it is the main task of External Relations to sell AIESEC‟s services, from Campus Recruitment to the Exchange Program. Of course, our team would not have been able to sell without a structured approach, hence Structure. The development of a sales booklet and the introduction of the ER Week were the biggest achievements in this area. During the ER Week, all members of AIESEC UA were given the opportunity to follow intensive Phone and Sales Trainings and engage in the real thing: call and meet with companies. Sexy was our last but not least keyword this year. One marketing principle says: „No matter how good the product is, if people don‟t know it exists, it won‟t sell‟. Therefore, we wanted to let companies and students know that we are AIESExy: AIESEC is an amazing organization that provides services which everybody should know about and experience! Overall, this approach turned out to be very rewarding. The ER team is proud to inform you that our cooperation with Deloitte, Accel and UA is still successfully up and running. We have managed to attract national media attention, a first! We have established productive new relationships with reputable companies such as Barco and Financial Forces. Furthermore, we are proud to announce Procter & Gamble as AIESEC UA‟s very first content partner and Bare International as our new exchange partner. Ongoing talks with LU and Atlas Copco are also very promising! We would like to thank all of our partners for their cooperation with and support to AIESEC UA, AIESEC Belgium for rewarding our efforts, our ER team and the whole LC for their amazing efforts and persistence and the other members of the Executive Board for the extraordinary team effort we have carried out. We wish the ER Team of 2008-2009 a lot of success, we are convinced you will continue to make AIESEC and AIESEC UA grow. AIESEC UA, we‟ll miss you!
Marijke Wouters & Magali Maes aka M&M Vice Presidents External Relations 2007-2008 AIESEC University of Antwerp
AIESEC UA’s Exchange
About the Exchange-team In April 2007 I got elected as the next LCVP exchange for 2007-2008. At the time I knew my responsibility would be: “the well-functioning of both the incoming and outgoing exchange program”. In order to do so, I had to make sure I would be familiar with myaiesec.net for the whole matching and realisation procedures, remain good relationships with our exchange partners, find accommodations for incoming trainees, let them feel welcome and so on. On the other hand the outgoing exchange needed a boost, so an organized exchange promoting campaign would be necessary and a good follow-up system would be critical too. By October 2007 a whole exchange team was created and counted 13 people: Frank, David, Bram, Guus, Joeri, Julie, Kaat, Kirsten, Sarah V., Sarah G., Sophie, Steven and Thomas. Job descriptions and responsibilities needed to be divided among the team. During the year problems of all sorts had to be tackled. ICX numbers were boosting. A promo campaign was initiated, the Review Board was organised, meetings were being attended, exchange became a part of the Eunity project, a reception weekend was planned, ... One year further I would like to thank my Exchange team, the EB and the whole LC. I am very proud and honoured that I was able to be a part of this team for several reasons:
No more accommodation needs to be found, since all trainees now live in the same street since October 2007 ! ! ! A real Outgoing Exchange Promo campaign at the campus made sure we got to our target of 10 Exchange Participants passing the Review Board. A good follow-up system was created by the exchange team members. Revival of DIAMANT, reception weekend for trainees, thanks to our reception team. 2 team members of the exchange team were elected for the EB 2008-2009 ! AIESEC UA won the ICX award of Belgium: 2007 counted 23 incoming trainees. Last, but not least, AIESEC UA won the interns satisfaction award: we proved quantity and quality can go perfectly together!
Birgit Ketele Vice President Exchange 2007-2008 AIESEC University of Antwerp
AIESEC UA’s Project Management
About the Project Management-team March 2007 the first VP Projects in AIESEC UA history got elected. The start of a wonderful Experience with a Project team who had three major goals:
Implement the first Issue Based Experiences in Antwerp Increase leadership opportunities for our members Profile AIESEC UA towards its stakeholders
Very quickly, the first members got an introduction into AIESEC and organised one of the most successful Jobdays / Jobfair in Antwerp. Students turned up in huge numbers, companies were excited and our efforts were acknowledged by the National Team. Only one week later, the AIESEC UA Prom got organised at a top location in the south of Antwerp. More than 300 people present. Again, one week later, AIESEC UA organised a three day conference of over 100 people. At the same time the first Issue Based Experience team was set up with people from all functional areas. Finance, Projects, ER, Communications, Exchange and Talent Management all joined together to start the EUnity Project, a project about emerging markets and creating understanding between Belgium and Eastern Europe. In only one semester the Project team succeeded in organising:
a partnership with the Polish LC in Lodz a polish CEED coming to Antwerp for a month a workshop around Emerging Markets and Poland an Eastern-European Kitchen and Movie Night a Virtual Platform
And maybe more important, more than 11 people applied for the leadership position of EB of AIESEC UA 08-09. From these 11 people 7 (!) people came out of the Project team where they had the position of OCP or OCVP, a proof that Projects can enable people to push their boundaries and take up responsibility. Thank you team for a wonderful experience, you could not have made me more proud !!!
Quinten De Witte Vice President Project Management 2007-2008 AIESEC University of Antwerp
AIESEC UA in the media Only two days after the Jobfair AIESEC UA got Media Coverage in Newspapers such as the Gazet van Antwerpen and Metro, companies sent thank you emails and were waiting to subscribe for the next event. EUnity is also mentioned in Polanianet, a Polish magazine with a monthly circulation of more than 15.000 samples and 1.200 subscribers.
AIESEC UA’s Talent Management
About the Talent Management-team After the Planning Days is the summer, with the necessary teambuilding activities and information input, one thing was clear: “AIESEC UA was ready ...Ready to Rock!!” Our year really kicked off... at Kick off, the first Conference of the AIESECyear. Then the recruitment rush started! This first TM challenge included: Students on stage, aula speeches and info sessions with one overall message: “It‟s up to you! Join AIESEC!” Several weeks later all our newies were invited to experience there first AIESEC activity... the induction day! We introduced our brand new members to the AIESEC experience, alumni and trainees shared there stories and new teams were created. Since almost the entire team was graduating at the end of the year, we had to make sure there were enough new members that would carry on the success of our LC. I think that, without a shadow of a doubt, we succeeded in this mission! Our newies were motivated, intelligent, creative, eager to learn,… What I am saying is : they were (and still are) the best team ever and totally AIESEC! The TM-team continued their activities by organizing monthly UA-nights where we gathered for a drink, a dinner or a party to catch up and welcome new trainees. Other TM accomplishments where:
The Christmas market The Christmas party Our famous fundraisings Our legendary Champagnecantus ( not once but twice this year!)
and... the AIESEC soirée, to thank all those who made this wonderful AIESEC-year possible!
Nathalie Brosius Vice President Talent Management 2007-2008 AIESEC University of Antwerp
AIESEC UA’s Communication
About the Communication-team This year, I was the first VP Communications ever to be elected in AIESEC UA. A chance to start something new and set the example. Our team started the year with a couple of primary objectives. Our main goal was to rebuild the entire AIESEC UA website. Instead of just updating the old and dated content that was already there, we set off to build a whole new framework in which we could make a true dynamic website that included a bundle of new features. The object of these new features is to make the AIESEC UA website a true interactive tool within our Local Committee that helps to streamline the internal communication and information flow. The main priorities on the content side were to: • • • •
Update all the current information about AIESEC on the site in a fresh, new website design. Incorporate a forum to ease internal communications between the different teams. Creating a member area where pictures and other memories of past activities could be stored. Making sure all our digital documents and information were easily accessible from any location through the website.
The work on this huge task isn't done yet and so we will continuously add new features and information to the site in the following year. Another objective of our team was to make sure the promotion of the AIESEC UA activities ran smoothly to both our members and other students in the university. During the year we made sure our promotional materials were professionally designed, printed and distributed. The posters and flyers, together with our weekly newsletter and the unifac post made sure the AIESEC UA activities were clearly advertised throughout the university buildings. A special thanks to all the volunteers who helped putting up the posters and handing out the flyers. I would also like to thank my team who helped me all year with a big number of smaller tasks and of course for the wonderful time we had this year here in AIESEC UA.
Rik Barrezeele Vice President Communication 2007-2008 AIESEC University of Antwerp
AIESEC UA’s Finance
About the Finance-team The finance team really started working at the induction day in October 2007. We put together a motivated and smart group which I am very grateful for their support and motivation during this year! Our goal for the past year had two aspects: on one hand we wanted to improve the cooperation between finance team, as a support function, and the other ‘core teams’ of AIESEC UA. On the other hand, we wanted to deal with the financial sustainability of our local committee. Our first goal - the implementation of the finance team into the whole committee was achieved. Most of the finance members were actively involved in different events. Each OC had at least one financial representative, in order to guarantee the financial sustainability of each project. Besides this cooperation, the finance members became more active in organising projects and thereby increased their commitment. The second challenge concerned the major growth our LC wanted to achieve this year. Growth always goes hand in hand with more expenses and higher costs. Through huge efforts of our exchange, projects and external relations team our income sharply rose and the profitability of AIESEC UA even increased compared to the previous years. The finance team really likes to thank everybody for the sustainable growth AIESEC UA achieved! It has been a great year and a basis was laid down to ensure AIESEC’s further development next year.
Pieter Beliën Vice President Finance 2007-2008 AIESEC University of Antwerp
AIESEC UA’s Trainees
A word from one of our trainees
List of AIESEC UA’s Trainees 20072008
I'm Dana-Maria Pondichie, I’m from Romania--where I was an AIESEC member at Bucharest for 1 year.
Incoming Trainees
At the present I am a trainee at ABN AMRO in Antwerp, Diamond Department, and I enjoy this new experience at maximum: I started my internship at the beginning of this year, on 2nd of January, but I arrived in Antwerp on 30th of December 2007. Why do I mention that? Because for me it was a really pleasant surprise to be received in such a welcoming atmosphere by the AIESEC students here in Antwerp: to keep it shortly, I got familiarized with living here in only a few days, as they found accommodation for me and I had everything needed from the beginning! Thanks Birgit and AIESEC UA. To keep it shortly, it's been already 4 wonderful months that I would describe, in a few words like this: • • •
•
learning every day -living in another city is considered a challenge, but for me it is not such a cultural difference, so I focused on self development and learning -for instance learning a new language, Nederlands :) very nice colleagues at work, international team -really helpful and pleasant atmosphere at the job very diverse and rich social life - I consider an unique opportunity to be an AIESEC trainee and to enjoy life in such an international environment ! So many trips, visits to museums, cities in Belgium, The Netherlands for instance networking is one of the most valuable things for me, and here I had the chance to meet so many trainees, people from around the world
In one sentence, for me this internship is : Enjoying Antwerp every day, build a valuable network, travel as much as I can, growing both personally and professionaly, living the most of this unique eXperience THANKS
Dana-Maria Pondichie ( Romenia ) A proud AIESEC trainee in Antwerp Internship in ABN Amro
Aleksander Tisinovic - Serbia – ABN Amro Dana-Maria Pondichie - Romenia – ABN Amro César Oyarce - Ecuador – Statoil Karl Bayeshev – Canada – Statoil Sara Hernandez – Spain – Statoil Maros Cunta – Slovakia – Statoil Isaac Kahara – Kenya – Statoil Knud Hammer – Denmark – Statoil Jahonar Haland – Norway – Statoil Irina Lange – Germany – Invensys Rüdiger Knust – Germany – Invensys Mette Trolle – Denmark – Invensys Erik Olsson – Sweden – Invensys Dana Schade – Germany – Invensys Zsolt Lacko – Slovakia – Invensys Simona Lungu – Romania – Alcatel Lucent Jeeten Desai – India – Alcatel Lucent
Outgoing Exchange Gijs Barrezeele – Switzerland – Syngenta Priscilla Brems – Finland – Global me Stéphane Lambert – Poland – Enterprise Incubator
Filip Pelgrims – India – Agriya Infoway
AIESEC UA’s Trainees
A word from one of our trainees I am Simona Lungu, 24, Romania, currently working as Market Analyst at AlcatelLucent When you start an experience like this you have of course, a lot of questions on your mind: will I make new friends there? will the job be interesting? Even questions like: where will I live? How will I manage in a country where I don't speak the language? Will there someone be waiting for me at the airport? At least these were the questions I had before coming to Belgium. When I arrived in Belgium, AIESEC Antwerp provided me all support needed to integrate and to arrange my stay here, from searching for a house where to live, to joining me at the Registration House and helping me to complete the procedures to register in Antwerp. After 7 months as intern in Belgium I believe that going on an AIESEC internship was one of the best choices I have ever made: I gained tremendous work experience working in a truthfully international team, I had fun, I met amazing people and I have friends from seven countries. An internship is a truthly life-changing experience, but but you have to open minded and positive.
Simona Lungu ( Romenia ) A proud AIESEC trainee in Antwerp Internship in Alcatel Lucent
AIESEC UA @ National Conferences
About Belgian Leadership and Development Seminar Often was I told that one could not understand the culture and philosophy of AIESEC, without going to one of its National Congresses. Being part of the organising committee of the Outgoing Preparation Seminar, I thought I had seen it all… Nevertheless, I was proven wrong when I went to BeLDS in March. At that time, I was holding an OCP function for the EUnity project and was curious what this Leadership and Development Seminar had to offer me, what could I learn there and how it could improve the development of my project. Although I arrived there with high expectations, it was still an astonishing experience! The intensity of a national conference is so inspiring and motivating; I truly had to agree: one cannot image the power of a conference! Our AIESEC members and trainees had the opportunity to meet people from all over Belgium, from all over Europe… yes, people from all around world attended: Slovenia, Poland, Holland, Malta, Russia, Slovakia, Germany, Greece and Brazil… all of them were represented. These conferences breathe the spirit AIESEC stands for: integrity, diversity, motivation, leadership, participation… Through learning circles, group sessions, speeches and workshops, we didn’t just learn about leadership, we experienced it ourselves! It is amazing how much energy this one weekend generated, how much it influenced my way of thinking, my way of acting, my way of looking at a given situation… how it influenced me as a person! Never have I met so many inspiring people, such strong individuals, each having their own character, but whom all carry a strong believe in what they do, who all have a clear vision, but better yet… who know how to realize this vision! I would like to advise every AIESEC member to go to one of these conferences, it is the experience of a lifetime… something you will never forget!
Yorick Van Alphen Vice President Project Management 2008-2009 AIESEC University of Antwerp
About National Conferences Kick off – September The purpose of this conference is to train the Executive Boards to make sure they have the knowledge, competencies and skills to work efficiently and effectively in their tasks and responsibilities through the next year. National Training and Motivation Seminar ( NTMS ) – November The purpose is to motivate the new members and provide them with the tools ( through sessions, trainings and workshops ) for them to be able to take responsibility and officially start their AIESEC experience. National Conference I ( NatCo I ) – February The aim of NatCo I is to evaluate the performance of AIESEC in Belgium and each of its local committees, according to their plan at the end of the first semester. Belgian Leadership and Development Seminar ( BeLDS ) – March During this conference members will be motivated to take up leadership positions, they will discover how to pass on their AIESEC knowledge and experience to the next generation and they will learn how to use this information for their personal and professional future, out of AIESEC or not. National Conference II ( NatCo II ) – April This conference is being held to plan the national focus areas, national direction and strategies, etc by gathering the deciding entities of AIESEC in Belgium.
AIESEC UA @ International Conferences
About EuroXpro - Russia End of March 2008, four people leave for EuroXpro in Sint-Petersburg, Russia. In Russia, LCPs and MCs of over 40 countries will gather and exchange thoughts on AIESEC and its future. But even more special, the Belgian MC team of 08-09 will be together for the first time! They come from Columbia, Greece, Romania, UK,… and Belgium. Only our future MCP from India could not make it. But no worries, in a matter of days the AIESEC in Belgium team demonstrated its talent from all over the world! Next to the interesting meetings with countries from all over Europe and the numerous networking events, the Belgian team demonstrated its qualities by dancing ‘Kabouter Plop’ in front of more than 400 Russians, singing ‘Io Vivat’ in front of a 300 delegates and letting Russian people taste of fine Belgian Chocolates and Beers. Together with the workshops, these activities enabled us to meet and exchange thoughts with people from the Netherlands, Tunisia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Czech Republic, Australia, … a wonderful and life-changing experience where we made friends from all over the world, an experience which I can recommend to everybody!
Quinten De Witte Vice President Project Management 2007-2008 AIESEC University of Antwerp
Alumni Opportunities AIESEC Alumni are located globally, working in various professions and industries and playing different roles in their communities. AIESEC recognizes the fact that its alumni are the biggest measure of its success. AIESEC alumni are the agents of positive change which we aim to create. We also recognize the value of our alumni and the support they have continuously given us. We hope that more alumni will reconnect with AIESEC and get involved in developing the organisation further.
Is AIESEC part of your past or part of your present?
AIESEC in Belgium and AIESEC UA both provide various opportunities for its alumni to interact and engage with each other and with current AIESEC members. Here we introduce them.
Networking
AIESEC 60th Anniversary – Alumni event
AIESEC UA offers a variety of events where alumni can network with each other and with current members in order to stay connected. The annual Prom has since long been an annual get together for alumni. The Champagne cantus is aimed more at recent alumni and has been a tradition for years. In addition, a new event was created: the Stakeholder Event. This event aims to connect alumni with each other, with partner organizations and with current member. This is done in a reception style event, combining both networking and presenting the organisation in its current form.
AIESEC in Belgium, one of the founding fathers of the organization, is organizing the 60th anniversary of AIESEC. This event will reunite all the generations of leaders of the organization.
Selection Procedures and Incoming Exchange Both for the exchange program and the selection of the national and local boards, AIESEC is selecting candidates. Alumni involvement in these procedures can increase professionalism of these selections as their external experience can be an added value. Alumni are also active in a variety of sectors and companies and since AIESEC is always looking for more companies to provide exchange opportunities to our members, they can provide the first contact of their organisation with AIESEC or promote the relationship.
Conferences Our national and international conferences do not only have workshops provided by members. External expertise brings a much appreciated added value to its contents. That is why AIESEC always seeks to involve partner organizations. An alumnus can add even more value by bringing both professional insight and an inside knowledge of the organisation. Therefore alumni involvement as trainer in our conferences can lead to very productive results.
Board of Advisors The Board of Advisors has since long been an external body providing continuity to our local committee. Its strategic insights have always been an added value in planning the direction of AIESEC UA. The majority of our Board of Advisors has always consisted out of active alumni who donate their time to increase the knowledge available to the local board.
Coaching and mentoring members AIESECers are people who want to learn from their mistakes and experience what it is like to start their own projects. Alumni can assist our members in their development through coaching and mentoring and make their experience more valuable.
Conclusion Your involvement in AIESEC does not have to stop when you leave the organisation. Through the alumni network, there are lots of opportunities to stay involved. At the same time it is very rewarding to see new people having those experiences you enjoyed before and assist them in their development.
Under the theme of 60 years of activating leadership, we are organizing a celebration for all our stakeholders in order to reconnect all current and former members of AIESEC and network with them. The celebrations will last from Friday 27th of June till Sunday 29th of June 2008. High profile speakers will discuss relevant topics around leadership, its link with AIESEC and its impact on society by creating agents of change There will be many opportunities to network, reconnect and socialize - official dinner on Saturday evening, informal activities in Belgian cities on Sunday. The event will take place in different locations in Brussels.
International Network In the past few years, AIESEC has again expanded its geographical reach. These are the countries and territories we are currently present in. When countries are grouped, this means that for that specific area, one unified member committee is coaching all the local committees. We are present in over 1100 universities and business schools in over 100 countries and territories.
One of AIESEC’s great strengths is its ability to bring together young people and partner organizations from all over the world through exchange, conferences, and virtual tools. The base of our network is a volunteer membership base of approximately 28,000 individuals in over 1100 universities in over 100 countries and territories. The national and international offices are managed by students on leave or members that have very recently graduated. Together, the network manages relationships with well over 5000 partners, facilitate 3500 exchanges, and organize over 350 conferences each year. The network interacts and collaborates through AIESEC.net, our on-line collaboration and communication platform. With over 1,400 active communities, 250,000 documents, and 10,000 forum postings per month, it is the largest and most active installation of the OpenACS platform in the world. And beyond our members and partners, we have an alumni network of nearly 1 million people since the conception of AIESEC in 1948. These ex-members stay in touch with each other and AIESEC through the AIESEConnect interface on AIESEC.net.
AIESEC UA would like to thank... AIESEC UA wishes to thank all of its members, partners and alumni for another great year. All of these stakeholders have made continuous efforts to make this organization grow. We especially want to mention the following people for their contribution to our network this year.
Member Committee AIESEC in Belgium 2007-2008 Andries De Vos Leen Van Ranst Stephanie Raymond Janina Mirea Vishal Jodhani Vincent Joris Geoffrey Kamba
MC President MCVP Talent Management MCVP Exchange MCVP Finance MCVP Project Management MCVP External Relations MCVP Campus Recruitment
Executive Board AIESEC UA 2007-2008 Dimitri Ruyssers Birgit Ketele Nathalie Brosius Magali Maes Marijke Wouters Quinten De Witte Pieter BeliĂŤn Rik Barrezeele
LC President LCVP Exchange LCVP Talent Management LCVP External Relations LCVP Public Relations LCVP Project Management LCVP Finance LCVP Communications
Organising Committees AIESEC UA 2007-2008 Quinten De Witte Angela Nanikashvili Tim Van Aelst Yorick Van Alphen Rik Barrezeele Simon Delcroix Thomas Kokken Nathalie Brosius Nathalie Brosius Frank Troch Kirsten Draulans Thomas Kokken
OCP Job Days / Job Fair OCP Galanight OCP OPS TtT OCP Eunity OCP Champagnecantus I OCP Champagnecantus II OCP Reception Weekend OCP Kerst op UA OCP Stakeholdersevent OCP OGX promo campagne OCP Review Board OCP Reception Weekend DIAMANT
Board of Advisors Carl Reyns Johan Vanhoutte Eva Mattheeussen Liesbeth Ollieuz
Naomi Van Meel Filip Roeckens Koen Boute
OC Annual Report 2007-2008 Yorick Van Alphen
AIESEC UA’s Partners
Main Partners Deloitte Accell Barco KBC Financial Forces Bare International University of Antwerp Exchange Partners Statoil Coordination Center CH Robinson Invensys ABN Amro Alcatel
Project Sponsors Decathlon Antwerp – OPS-TtT