Seychellois youths join peers worldwide to discuss pressing global issues Seychelles was once again well represented at one of the world s biggest annual conferences, the AIESEC International Congress which took place from August 14-23 in Poland. A team of five comprising Kelly Mothe, Annarose Clarisse, Joanna Pouponeau, Jess Ruggirello, Bogar Milan and Raymus Laurence, under the banner of AIESEC (Seychelles) flew to Poland to discuss issues most pressing for the country, the best solution and designing sustainable projects. Established in 1948 AIESEC was originally a French acronym for Association internationale des étudiants en sciences économiques et commerciales (English: International Association of Students in Economic and Commercial Sciences); however, the full name is no longer officially used as members can now come from any university background. AIESEC is the largest international student organisation which is currently present at 2400 universities in 126 countries and territories all over the world. Since its inception, AIESEC has been organising annually its international congresses. The aim of AIESEC s 68th International Congress was to bring over 1000 young leaders from around the world together to connect with different stakeholders to discuss and act upon the most important global issues. Young Seychellois and University of Seychelles law student Kelly Mothe expressed her contentment to experience such an enriching gathering of over 1000 youths from 126 countries all under one roof. Ms Mothe, a 22-year-old Seychellois from Le Niole, relates how she got to be a part of AIESEC as well as her experiences at the conference. I first heard about AIESEC from my colleague and friend Annarose Clarisse, who recently represented Seychelles at the UN Youth Assembly this year. She was telling me how rewarding it was to be a part of this organisation and I was so excited at the opportunity to make a difference that I told her to sign me up. We had different meetings to discuss the best structures for AIESEC in Seychelles and started finding ways to raise funds for positive impact, this is only the beginning.
AIESEC s 68th International Congress showcased diversity and cross-cultural understanding in its purest form. During the Congress, there were a few special events that were held: The opening ceremony The opening ceremony took place in one of the largest theatres in Europe, Teatr Wielki Opera Narodowa, allowing AIESEC members as well as externals to witness the organisation s true impact on the world. We were also privileged to witness the performances of Kameralna Harmonia, advocates of Polish music using their instruments to give rise to gut-wrenching emotion, Marta Baranowska and Dariusz Brojek gracing us with their professional ballet performance and Audiofeels, a Polish acapella group, who provided an amazing, jaw-dropping performance through their rich vocal harmonies and ability to create an entire orchestra with just eight people. Global Village Global Village took participants on a cultural trip around the world in one evening at the National Museum s Rear Garden Square. It was a festival highlighting the unique cultures and tradition of 127 countries at the International Congress. Delegates were engrossed into an environment filled with various cuisines, national dances, traditional costumes and local artists. It was a proud moment for us as we showed off our country in all its beauty on the table each country was given. We showed off pictures, maps and even our local drink from the Seychelles. We also made sure we each had a chance to peruse the other tables and taste and experience the other cultures which were all under the same roof.
Global Youth Speak Forum Global Youth Speak Forum was a two-day event occurring on August 16-17 and hosted by Jay Shetty (a motivational and lifestyle blogger, presenter, former monk and international speaker), connecting today s youth leaders with business professionals to have meaningful conversations about pressing global issues. It allowed all delegates regardless of their backgrounds to hear from some of the world s top thought leaders (such as Apple, Project Everyone, AJ+, DPDHL, ING and PwC) through various keynote addresses and collaborative workshops and exchange ideas and adopting insightful notions we have gained into actionable outcome which can be used to take humanity forward. Throughout the Congress, there were times when we were assigned different workshops to attend and seeing it was our first participation, we felt a little out of sorts for a while. However, we learned that everyone around us were here for the same reason and helped us whenever we were in doubt. They welcomed us and I was extremely grateful for all the knowledge and all the encouragement they bestowed on me and the other members of our team. Polish Night & Alumni Hall of Fame
Polish Night on August 20 encouraged millennials as well as AIESEC Alumni to learn more about the achievements and rich culture of Poland by having the opportunity to purchase handmade souvenirs and traditional clothes and experience a traditional Polish wedding and Polish traditions through music and dance as well as the cuisine. The Congress gathered more than 100 AIESEC Alumni from across the world, which belongs to a group of successful entrepreneurs, managers in various companies and public figures. They focused on development and social responsibility. The Alumni who are believed to have made a great impact on the world are honoured and recognised during the Hall of Fame held prior to Polish Night. Electrolux Gala Night Electrolux Gala Night, held on August 22, started with a glamorous dinner before the most prestigious ceremony with the theme For the Better where together with Electrolux, we were encouraged to strive for excellence. Gala Night revealed the most effective national member committees of AIESEC in terms of international exchanges. At Gala Night, we were joined by Alvin Laurence, chief executive of the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC). These are the events that set the organisation s direction of development in order to continue efficient realisation of its vision conceived in 1949: Peace and fulfilment of humankind s potential. Kelly stressed on the gathering s impact by saying: I think I speak for everyone when I say the level of enthusiasm and motivation to bring back everything we learned to Seychelles sky-rocketed. We were all so excited to share our ideas after coming out of the different workshops we were each assigned. The overall experience was eye-opening. Being in a room with 1000 millennials from around the world and contributing to the creation of innovative solutions to problems associated with the themes of the Congress entrepreneurship, sustainable growth and diversity we could bring back to our countries was a gratifying experience. Learning from people that are the same age as you, yet have had such an immense impact in their community inspired not only me but AIESEC in Seychelles. Raymus Laurence, Member Committee Vice-President for Finance of AIESEC in Seychelles had this to say: We should challenge and assess the way we understand the world. Waking up daily with flawless dose of creative ideas for a better community. Acting locally and thinking globally. Being self-aware and differentiating your uniqueness to measure your own positive impact.
Joanna Pouponeau, newly appointed Youth, Culture & Sports Commissioner at CEPS, added: It is no longer enough for adults to believe in youths! Our country needs youths to start believing in themselves. A year ago, AIESEC was non-existent for all of them, and even after that Annarose Clarisse says they lacked the whole picture, the global picture even. She added that This experience broadened our views on how it functions and how relevant it is. Having the CEO of the SNYC meant even more because we were now confident that a government official experienced all we did first hand rather than us telling him about it. The president of AIESEC in Seychelles, Bogar Milan, expressed his deep remarks on this: Having the CEO of the SNYC at our largest international event allowed us to share with him the people at the heart of the AIESEC experience, everywhere in the world. I can say that it was both an honour for us as well as a great opportunity for Mr Alvin Laurence to interact with that is proactively trying to make a difference in its own countries, and it gave Seychelles credibility as well as relevance among the more than 120 member countries of the organisation.
He left the youth with this message. Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive passion for adventure and curiosity about the world. My journey around four continents has taught me that the only way to understand the world is to see it. There were many things I liked, many things I didn t, and they all changed me. I am still travelling around it, there are so many cultures, ways of life, traditions and societies I have only heard of. I also keep on meeting new people, who tell me, very proudly, about the wonders of their country, and about their own journeys. One thing is true, if you are like me, if you also want to see the world, I want you to know that it is possible, that it is safe, that there will be people supporting you, and that if you do it, to leave something behind, you can only expect good things to come after for you. At least that s how it was for me. Mr Bogan is a Mexican who is volunteering for one year in Seychelles. AIESEC Seychelles also wishes to take this opportunity to thank all its sponsors.
Contributed