AIESEC Controversy
"For the past six years I have used that incredibly uncomfortable phrase “I am semi-retired” to describe my status. I have split my time between play (sailing to Maine, Bermuda, etc.) and working with non-profit organizations. I have spent more time with AIESEC International than any other.
AIESEC is a great organization, formed after WWII to promote international understanding. It is entirely student run. That statement requires some reflection. This organization of about thirty thousand students in 87 different countries has survived for more than fifty years without any professional, adult, management.
Each year the local chapters on university campuses elect a leadership team, then a national leadership team is elected, and there is a once a year international conference at which they elect a new global President and leadership team. So, every year, a new group of young men and woman, in their early twenties, move to Rotterdam and provide coordination and leadership to this global organization.
For the past five years I have been their “change management” consultant as they have redefined “The AIESEC Experience” as a life-long learning process and designed all the necessary processes, structures, systems, etc.
Every organization is unique and presents its own challenges. Needless to say, AIESEC was challenging, unique, and a lot of fun to work with. "
Interesting quote. This man caused controversy in AIESEC, the "big ones" criticized him and his influence in the organization... the "little ones" were astonished by his opinions and intense debates and discussions.
Yes, I am talking about Larry Miller, and this was a quote I found in his personal weblog. AIESEC for me was so important, that I had goosebumps while I read it, because it came from someone you could consider external, and he was actually writing about AIESEC, from his own will.
Yes, controversial figure... but a really important one in many ways. I was glad to come across his blog... for no specific reason at all.
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