AIESEC History

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AIESEC was started in 1948 in the aftermath of World War II.  A group of students got together and devised a plan to help the world never see another war as devastating as World War II was.  The Stockholm Congress of 1949 defined the organization and 89 traineeships were facilitated that year, and the notion of exchange became AIESEC's primary focus.

As the years progressed, more and more countries joined AIESEC's mission and the organization grew from a European entity to a global entity.  Exchange numbers also grew, and AIESEC became a world leader not only in human resources, but human development.

The 1990s into the new millennium saw the emergence of IT's key role in AIESEC.  Also, the organization grew to every continent except Antarctica and grew to facilitate over over 3,500 exchanges each year.
 

AIESEC Timeline

1949 - AIESEC Gains Official Statutes at Stockholm Congress

1953 - Cooperation Established with the International Chamber of Commerce and UNESCO

1955 - Over 1000 Traineeships

1957 - United States Joins as First Non-European Country

1958 - South Africa Joins as First African Nation; Venezuela Joins as First South American Nation

1963 - AIESEC Established in Asia in Korea and Japan

1965 - Australia Joins, AIESEC is Present in All Continents; Czechoslovakia Joins as First Communist Nation

1969 - First Time a Computer is Used to Exchange Students

1973 - AIESEC at The George Washington University is Founded

Since 1948,
AIESEC
has worked
towards
a world in which
differences
are embraced
and peace
is feasible.

Copyright 2005, AIESEC Washington, DC; All rights reserved
Note: The views and policies articulated in these pages are not necessarily those of The George Washington University.
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Last Updated: November 2005