The History of AIESEC

The year was 1948. Europe was in shambles in the aftermath of the Second World War. A whole generation of leaders was lost. Factories and enterprises were in desperate need of managers and leaders. A heavy burden was therefore placed on the business schools of Europe. It was necessary for them to produce a large number of well-trained individuals, capable of taking on significant responsibility.

The burden was just as great for the students themselves, for they were called upon to help lead the economy recovery of war-torn Europe.

But perhaps worse than the physical damage was the hatred and bitterness that the war had produced. An organization was needed to bridge the gap. Students of economics and business realized this. All agreed that the need for an organization which exchanged university students was as great as ever. The European students were still lacking the practical business experience necessary for the rebuilding of their necessary countries. And just as important, the students believed they were charged with a responsibility to increase international understanding and cooperation.

In Marck 1948, AIESEC (L' Association International des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales) was born. The first conference was held in Stockholm, Sweden and there were representatives from seven countries: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. Symbolically, the first AIESEC Traineeship Exchange was held with the matching of 89 students.

AIESEC gradually spread throughout Europe. In 1957, the United States of America was welcomed as a full member. Latin America and Africa joined the association in 1958. In 1962, Asia entered the organization. In 1965, AIESEC landed on all continents of the world with the inclusion of Australia.

Since our creation, we have been dedicated to helping young people around the world develop themselves and their societies. Today, AIESEC can be found in 84 countries around the world, in over 750 universities. Since 1948, approximately a quarter of a million people have become members of AIESEC.

The History of AIESEC in the Philippines

In 1967, the regional director of AIESEC in Asia, Tsueno Kenashi, came to the Philippines for a visit. His mission was to establish a national committee in the country, which failed due to the conflicting views with UNESCO. Meanwhile, Antonio Maria Cailao, a senior in the College of Business Administration in the University of the Philippines, decided to introduce AIESEC to the country. He found a way to attend an Asian AIESEC conference that year, and, together with his friend Eric de Guia, corresponded with AIESEC International.

In 1968, the Philippines became a probationary member during the International Congress in Istanbul, Turkey, with the University of the Philippines as its first local committee. In 1969, AIESEC Ateneo de Manila University was established. By the time AIESEC Philippines became a full member in 1970, it had Miriam College in its fold.

Today, AIESEC in the Philippines is represented in ten universities in the country: Assumption College, Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Miriam College Foundation, University of Asia and the Pacific, University of the Philippines - Diliman, University of San Agustin, University of San Carlos, and Xavier University.