Dear Partners, AIESECers, Family and Friends, When our team met for the first time to get started with our mission back in February 2017, we found ourselves looking at a common goal – delivering the best and the most memorable AIESEC conference our delegates have ever witnessed. Professionalism was the driving factor towards achieving our goal and fulfilling our team’s vision - “Fostering 300+ relevant experiences through professionalism”. Bringing 300 young leaders from beyond the Asia-Pacific region to the land of the Taj was a daunting challenge considering the geography of the conference venue. We planned well and made sure our delegates have a blissful experience and a great start to the conference. We tried building a home for the delegates, providing a flavour of Indian culture wherever possible. We are proudly closing AIESEC’s Asia Pacific Conference 2017, which would not have been possible without the ones who supported us and believed in us. I would like to communicate my greatest gratitude to all the organizations that chose to partner with us, volunteers, the member committee of AIESEC in India, and my precious – the amazingly talented and efficient Core Committee who made this conference a reality. 57 days, tall and short hurdles, crazy ideas, innumerable failures, good and bad times, the memories, and our love for each other – Asia Pacific Conference 2017 was a truly overwhelming experience for the Core Committee; an experience which we will cherish throughout our lives. Rohit Shaw Congress Committee President AIESEC Asia Pacific Conference 2017
AIESEC is a non-governmental not-for-profit organization in constitutive status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), affiliated with the UN DPI, member of ICMYO, and is recognized by UNESCO. AIESEC is a global platform for young people to explore and develop their leadership potential. We are a non-political, independent, not-for-profit organization 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 ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion or national/social origin.
Since we were founded, we have engaged and developed over 1,000,000 young people who have been through an AIESEC experience. The impact of our organization can be seen through our alumni who represent businesses, NGOs and world leaders.
The Indian chapter was founded in the year 1981 and has long existed since then, having undergone evolution in growth and generations of membership as well as leadership. AIESEC in India strives to create a better world, by ensuring members achieve their talent potential and become responsible leaders. AIESEC in India is one of the highest performing member countries of the Global Network of AIESEC, recognised multiple times for the contribution it makes to the association.
Presently, AIESEC in India has 59 operating units consisting of 26 major local chapters. Presently, there is a focus to work on business expansions across the country in order to deliver more and more leadership experiences, far from being limited to the current geographical presence. The representatives of India’s 26 local chapters spread across the country are agents of AIESEC, who are to direct the vision for a more empowered youth population in their city or region of work and existence.
Asia Pacific Conference (APC) is the annual convening of AIESEC and its members from 23 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, aimed at celebrating youth leadership, cultural diversity and global togetherness. It takes form as an occasion where the organizational state of affairs is reviewed for the Asia-Pacific region, new goals are set, views and experiences are shared. The purpose of the conference is to be the unique platform to the regional network of AIESEC leaders to gather in order to drive initiatives, implement strategies, and develop the leadership we need to achieve Peace and Fulfilment of Humankind’s Potential. APC’17 being an international conference meant the creation of more than a regional plenary, massive not only in its size but in the diversity of discussions, ideas and outreach. The agenda was designed to meet the interests of over 250 delegates hailing from different parts of the world, business leaders, and global trailblazers; to enunciate the idea of a progressive, traditionally modern India using an international platform like never before.
Asia Pacific Conference 2017 was hosted at the Land of the Taj, Agra, from 1st to 6th April 2017. More than 250 young participants from over 30 countries and regions of the world came to Agra. 6 DAYS 1-6 April 2017
300+ Participants
30 Countries
10 Partners
6 Special Events
1000+ Youth Engaged
Overall Number of Delegates
246 Congress Committee Team
+8 AIESEC International Team
+5 Facilitator Team
+11 Volunteers
+24 Creative Crew
+4 Performers
+6 Overall Youth Participation
304
51%
49%
MALE
FEMALE
Asia Pacific Conference 2017 was hosted at Ramada Plaza Agra.
Host City for 2017
With its ideal location, away from city buzz and bustle, on the outskirts of the land of the Taj, Ramada Plaza Agra offers worldclass hospitality in a traditional and exotic ambiance of the Mughal legacy.
The Land of the Taj
There are 145 luxury rooms, 2 restaurants, a kids zone, swimming pool, spa, club, lounge, fitness centre, a captive retail shopping area, 3 board rooms, 2 mid-sized halls, and a main banquet hall having a capacity of 300 seats.
Agra is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is a major tourist destination mainly because of the mighty Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Agra is amongst the 5 most visited cities of India and 45th worldwide.
Not just tourism, Agra’s footwear industry is the largest footwear manufacturing hub in India.
Youth Speak Forum A forum aimed to establish a dialog on important global issues where people from diverse backgrounds can become aware on the role of the youth in their solving.
Opening Ceremony Inauguration ceremony of Asia Pacific Conference 2017 with an association of 300 participants from 30 countries, and talented performers and artists.
Global Village An event aimed at showcasing cultural diversity, history and traditions of the participants from 30 countries at Asia Pacific Conference 2017.
Partners’ Dinner A platform aimed to increase interaction and networking between our partner organizations and to celebrate our growth and contribution to society.
P
artners'
Gala Awards Night The official gala awards during which the achievements of the AP region of our organization were celebrated and local chapters were recognized for their exception results.
Indian Night An immersive experience into Indian culture. It was an event aimed at showcasing Indian culture and for the participants to experience various Indian festivals, traditions and history.
The grand take-off of the world coming home – the Opening Ceremony set the stage and the tone for the entire 6-day Asia Pacific Conference 2017. The main focus was on breaking stereotypes and changing perceptions through India’s story of progression while maintaining a rich culture & history.
Opening Ceremony of AIESEC’s Asia Pacific Conference was about showcasing the rich culture and history of India through various forms of art followed by the ancient Indian tradition of lighting an oil lamp before starting an auspicious event. Event Date: 1st April, 2017 Agenda
• Duet Singing Performance • Speech of Congress Committee President – Rohit Shaw • Speech of President of AIESEC in India – Ankith Abraham • Lighting of the Lamp • Bharatnatyam Dance Performance • Opening Video of APC 2017
Venue: Ramada Plaza, Agra
Global Village was an open event that aimed at showcasing the most interesting elements of culture, history and traditions of 30 countries which participated at Asia Pacific Conference 2017. Everyone attending the event had a chance to experience the unique story of 250 youth and get inspired by them.
Global Village was hosted at Mount Litera Zee School, Agra. Everything started with a welcome song performed by the school children, stall presentations, dance performances by entities (roll-calls), followed by a closing performance by the school children. Event Date: 1st April, 2017 Venue: Zee School, Agra Agenda • Official Opening of Global Village • Welcome Song Performed by School Children • Stall Presentations and Food Degustation • Performances (roll-calls) by Entities • Closing Performance by School Children
Youth Speak Forum is an event organized by AIESEC, that takes place at every AIESEC international conference, bringing together top young leaders together, business, civil society, experts and thought leaders and for a conversation around youth leadership and youth contribution to building a better world. The forum aimed to create an environment where people from diverse backgrounds can cross pollinate ideas share insights and gain new perspective to create actionable outcomes to push the word forward. Event Date: 2nd April, 2017 Venue: Ramada Plaza, Agra Agenda • YSF Opening • Keynote Speeches • Panel Discussion • What AIESEC Made Possible? • Networking Lunch • Project Life Cycle • Workshops • Action Space • Closing
At AIESEC’s Partners’ Dinner, we wanted to connect all our partners, NGOs, and clients to a networking round the table. The objective was to increase interaction and networking between the organizations and would be a way to celebrate our growth and contribution to society.
It was an evening of fine dining and networking with all of AIESEC’s partners, collaborators, media, alumni, corporate associates, and stakeholders. Several partners chose to take the stage and showcase their products. Event Date: 2nd April, 2017 Venue: Ramada Plaza, Agra Agenda
• Welcome Note • Keynote by Mr. Sameer Pathak
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artners'
• Partner Introductions • Partners Showcase and Promote • Networking Dinner • Closing Note
India is a country of rich culture and diversity, with states being larger than many countries. India is a popular destination and also fascinates the foreign visitors. This night was for our international delegates to experience this rich culture and traditions. India Night was an immersive experience into Indian culture and a festival in itself. It was an ideal platform for companies and organizations working in a distinct Indian shape to showcase themselves. Event Date: 4th April, 2017 Venue: Ramada Plaza Ground, Agra Agenda • Grand Welcome • Firecracker Show • Performances • Holika Dahan • Puppet Show • Special Performances
• Closing
Don’t fight a battle if you don’t gain anything by winning. Gala Night was about appreciating the entities of AIESEC for their performance and leaving an impact on the world. A formal event of expressing gratitude. Gala Night celebrated achievements of the organization in the past year and recognized local chapters for their exceptional results. It was based on the theme “Harry Potter” and the entire night was set up and designed as per the theme. Event Date: 5th April, 2017 Venue: Ramada Plaza, Agra Agenda • Welcome • Opening Video • CX Explanation & Recognition • Context of Awards Night & Criteria • Award Distribution • Closing
“Fostering 300+ memorable experiences through professionalism.”
AIESEC’s Asia Pacific Conference 2017 was hosted at Ramada Plaza, Agra, India from 1st April through 6th April 2017. The conference saw an attendance of 246 delegates from 26 countries along with 5 AIESEC International Team members, 11 Facilitator Team members, 10 partner representatives, 6 special performers, 8 Core Committee members, and 24 volunteers.
• Ministry of Home Affairs clearance (Government of India) • Hosting 304 participants at one venue in Agra
• Average issue resolving time: 20 minutes • Optimum HR/volunteer utilization with defined responsibilities during the conference • Didn’t close the conference budget in a loss Detailed job descriptions. Day-wise planning of the conference. Venue communication. Crisis management. Independent function of each project. Strong financial and operational processes.
Timely meetings during the conference. Interesting & engaging activities during the conference. Not being available/difficult to reach. Mess in the CC room. Lack of converter cables.
Clearer communication with the teams. Emergencies management. CC introduction to the plenary. CC and volunteer dress codes for easy spotting.
Special events delegate experience planning. CC members/volunteers not performing allocated tasks. Delegates smuggling alcohol in Goon Bags (not detectable by scanners).
CCVPs (Core Team) 1. Recruitment timeline was only the second week of February 2017 due to shortage of time and less than 50 days to the conference. 2. Application was open only to Indian nationals as well as alumni. 3. The role was not paid. 4. 6 core team members were selected from a pool of 29 applicants. Volunteers (CC Onsite Team) 1. Recruitment timelines were the second and third weeks of March 2017. 2. Application was open only to Indian nationals as well as alumni, getting us a good response from the network. 3. With proper assessment and objectives, 18 onsite volunteers were recruited. 4. Proper training was provided to this team with the help of our Teamster, before the conference, and the roles and responsibilities were limited to task execution at the conference given in advance by the core team.
Coca-Cola – Coca-Cola India, is one of the country’s leading beverage companies, offering a range of healthy, safe, high quality, refreshing beverage options to consumers.
Coca-Cola India assisted Asia Pacific Conference 2017 by delighting hundreds of delegates with the effervescence of its drinks as well as outstanding presence in sessions and workshops. Mr. Sameer Pathak, General Manager, Coca-Cola India delivered a powerful talk and participated in the panel discussion at Youth Speak Forum. Ashoka University is a private, non-profit university, and an unprecedented example of collective public philanthropy in India. Ashoka offers its students a multidisciplinary liberal education, usually defined as one that transcends the boundaries between the arts and sciences, and carries a strong emphasis on learning across subjects. Ashoka with its brand engagement and a session on Young India Fellowship, added value to the conference and initiated a long term partnership with AIESEC in India. Stops Hostels is a backpackers hostel and have given the people an alternative way of traveling different from the conventional way. Activities like movies nights, karaoke nights etc keep one fully engaged during their stay. The experience of staying in each hostel is rarely the same, as each hostel has different ambiance and quirky interiors. Stops supported our mission of bringing the world home at Asia Pacific Conference. Mount Litera Zee School Agra is an endeavour by the Essel Group led by Shri Subhash Chandra to prepare leaders of the 21st century through its education arm, Zee Learn Limited. Zee Learn Limited is an innovation leader in Indian education since 1994. Zee School Agra strongly supported the idea of bringing the world together under one roof and celebrating cultures, and offered us their venue for us to host Global Village for Asia Pacific Conference.
Executive Partner
University Partner
Accommodation Partner
Co-Working Partner
Travel Partner
Global Village Partner
YouthSpeak Partner
YouthSpeak Partner
YouthSpeak Partner
AIESEC in Ahmedabad
Telecom Partner
AIESEC in Jodhpur
Hospitality Partner
AIESEC in Jalandhar
If you have any questions regarding this report, please contact Rohit Shaw President of Asia Pacific Conference 2017 rohit.shaw@aiesec.net shaw.rohit@gmail.com
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