AIESEC in Germany
AIESEC
understands itself as an organisation that offers students learning experiences
which cannot be gained through university studies. The core of these learning
experiences lies in a longer stay abroad: to go on a traineeship in a different
country where one is confronted with a different culture. Apart from the importance
of an international traineeship, AIESEC also sees the urgent need for students
to think about socially relevant topics that will have an impact on our common
future. Therefore, AIESEC tries to accompany traineeships with conferences and
seminars on interesting and relevant topics.
In this context the Team "AIESEC meets EXPO 2000" took up the topic of sustainability
and recognised an excellent chance to address this issue while combining it
with the biggest exposition of the world and the normal AIESEC traineeship exchange.
"Sustainability" or "sustainable development" is a topic of our age and by its
nature is going to be crucial for all generations to come. In 1998, when the
idea for the project first came up, the importance of "sustainable development"
had not been recognised by many organisations yet. There were no answers to
questions like "What are the critical thresholds in soil, air, climate, water
and biodiversity and how can we contribute in order not to reach them?".
The "AIESEC meets EXPO 2000"-Team has ever since made an incredible contribution
- both to our organisation as to the personal development of many trainees.
They have made possible what many people didn't believe was possible. They have
enabled 25 foreign students to do a traineeship in Germany - working for departments
related to "sustainable development"; they have organised countless seminars
and workshops to bring students and companies together and discuss different
aspects of "sustainable development"; they have supported numerous Local Committees
in their work - raising traineeships and helping with project management; furthermore,
of course, they have brought the World Exposition and its theme a big step closer
to all members of our international organisation comprising of around 50.000
members all over the globe.
Over and above confronting so many people with such an important issue, the
Team "AIESEC meets EXPO 2000" has also shown tremendous achievements through
their team work. For more than one and a half years they have been an extremely
reliable team that is aware of its responsibility with this project. Even more
incredible was their great enthusiasm which was evident wherever they were.
It was unmistakable that they were enjoying their work and that they knew very
well how to combine serious matters with fun, friendship and craziness.
We want to thank the "AIESEC meets EXPO 2000"-Team for their contribution and
hope that all people who were involved in the project will be able to put the
ideas generated into practice. It is us who have to make the change and it doesn't
happen often that somebody provides us with such useful groundwork and tools
that just need to be applied in order to make all the difference.
Thank you for your work, thank you for your smiles!
Alexandra von Winning,
Member Committee of AIESEC in Germany
www.de.aiesec.org