About IAESTE
More than 80 countries involved, exchanging over 4000 traineeships each year
The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience, Association sans but lucratif (non-profit association), commonly known as IAESTE A.s.b.l. is an association of national committees representing academic, industrial and student interests.
We serve 4000 students, 3000 employers and 1000 academic institutions through career-focused professional internships abroad, social and intercultural reception programmes, international networking and other career and employer branding activities in more than 80 countries worldwide.
Aims
To offer employers well-qualified and motivated trainees
To be a source of cultural enrichment for trainees and their host communities
To provide students with technical experience relevant to their studies
Mission
To promote international understanding, cooperation and trust among students, academic institutions, employers and wider community
To operate a high quality practical training exchange programme between members in order to enhance technical and professional development
To operate irrespective of race, colour, gender, culture, religious or political beliefs, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression
Member Countries
We serve 4000 students, 3000 employers and 1000 academic institutions through career-focused professional internships abroad, social and intercultural reception programmes, international networking and other career and employer branding activities in over 80 countries worldwide.
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Organisational Structure
General Conference
The General Conference possesses full power to take formal decisions for the fulfilment of the aims and approves the budget and regulations of the Association. It is composed of one delegate from each Full Member country. It elects the President, the Board, the SID coordinator and meets every year in January. The General Conference admits also new Members to the Association.
Board
The Board implements the Association’s policy and decisions approved by the General Conference, initiates activities supporting the Association’s policy in general and provides strategic direction to the Association. The Board is composed of five members, the President and four others. The Board elects from the four members, one as Secretary and one as Treasurer.
National Committee
National Committees represent the Member countries and are composed of persons representing academic, industrial and student interests. National Committees are responsible for administration of the IAESTE exchange programme.
Local Committee
Local Committees represent national committees within the country. Usually they are located at universities and are run by volunteers.
History
In the aftermath of World War II, a new spirit pervaded the world: a desire for International understanding and co-operation. It was this spirit that brought forth both the United Nations (UN) and IAESTE, organisations dedicated to promoting these objectives.
Foundation
The Association was founded in January 1948 at the Imperial College, London, on the initiative of the Imperial College Vacation Work Committee. National Organisations from ten European countries attended this meeting and became Members and Mr. James Newby was elected General Secretary. The geographical coverage soon spread to most of Europe and beyond, as new countries were granted membership. The Association became a registered body according to Luxembourg law at its General Conference 2005 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.
Our Values
In IAESTE we are committed to fostering international understanding and impacting on the development of young people through international exchange. Our core values of friendship, trust, respect, professionalism,development and intercultural cooperation serve as a foundation for our strong organisational culture and as the principles that guide all our work and daily activities.
Annual Conferences
2018 | Berlin Germany
2017 | Incheon South Korea
2016 | Prague Czech Republic
2015 | Zagreb Croatia
2014 | Quito Ecuador
2013 | Belfast United Kingdom
Presidents/General Secretaries
2014- | Bernard Baeyens, Colombia, President
2010-2013 | Goran Radnovic, Serbia, General Secretary
2004-2010 | Pauline Ferguson, Northern Ireland, General Secretary
1998-2004 | Jim Reid, Ireland, General Secretary
1992-1998 | Abdallah Sfeir, Lebanon, General Secretary
1990-1992 | George Anemogiannis, Greece, General Secretary
