The AIESEC approach to enabling young people to discover and develop their potential is a full experience with several stages that is based on a few key principles.

This approach, which comes through the AIESEC Platform, helps to build young people that have the desire and capacity to have a positive impact in society – that is the AIESEC Difference

AIESEC Experience
The following diagram shows the different steps in the AIESEC experience.

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 to 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. These principles are explained below:

Taking an Active Role
AIESEC will provide the opportunities and some support, but it is ultimately up to the individual to make the most of those opportunities.

Each individual must take responsibility for his/her experience within AIESEC. Each individual must also take responsibility for the organization. It is through the collective efforts and commitments of everyone involved in AIESEC that we are able to provide so many opportunities – some 350 conferences, 3500 work abroad opportunities, and 5000 leadership positions, plus many other activities.

Developing Self-Awareness and Personal Vision
We think young people need more space and support to answer fundamental questions such as “What is important to me?” and “How do I want to contribute to the world?”. AIESEC supports young people in clarifying and expanding their ambitions through mentorship, personal vision exercises, an inspiring environment, and providing intense experiences that challenge their view of the world and their role within it.

Increasing Capacity
Through conferences, work abroad opportunities, and the management of our offices, we provide young people with the opportunity to increase theoretical knowledge in a wide-range of functional and soft skills and the opportunity to put it into practice.

Building a Network
People need a network of support that can guide and encourage them towards their vision and goals. Through conferences, learning networks, innovative on-line platforms, and a growing alumni network, AIESEC provides young people with the opportunity to create a strong and global network to support them in their personal and professional pursuits.

Challenging Worldview
Through intense experiences such as conferences, working abroad, and engaging in diverse environments, AIESEC “shakes up” the way young people see the world. A stronger and more holistic view of the world enables them to more easily incorporate new perspectives, see interdependencies, and identify ways to positively impact any given situation.

In short, we are providing young people with experiences that will not only develop their potential as individuals but also help to best direct them, with a clear purpose of having a positive impact on society through their actions