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• AIESEC Sri Lanka, blog, Event, Leadership, Lifestyle, Membership, Partnerships, Youth

A like-minded organization in creating value driven leaders

A like-minded organization in creating value driven leaders

“Before you’re a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” – Jack Welch.

LDS 4.0, – Leadership Development Seminar organized by AIESEC in University of Peradeniya, was held on October 28 and 29, 2023, in Oruthota Chalets hotel. The above-stated quote was magnificently showcased and demonstrated at the event, ensuring delegates had full exposure to the notions of leadership and personal development. What added a new color to the conference was the title partnership that AIESEC in University of Peradeniya had with the Thilakawardhana Group of Companies. It was such an honour to keep the bond bolstered for the conference as it assisted AIESEC in University of Peradeniya to deliver an elegant yet productive and fruitful conference in AIESEC history. The partnership patronage they bestowed on the event was immense.

It was not all about assisting to deliver the best conference experience in terms of partnerships. It was about educating young, energetic, and budding leaders to aspire to greater heights. Mr. Ravindu Thilakawardhana, representing Thilakawardhana Group of Companies, conducted a wondrous session inclusive of enhancing critical thinking skills, prowess in decision-making, team handling, etc. The session was interactive and didactic because it inserted a novel and thought-provoking perspective into Kandy AIESEC membership. Specifically, there was an eye-opening session, or rather, a Q&A segment, which was based on practical scenarios, issues, and predicaments a team goes through. As the session progressed in a more engaging and interactive manner, new ideas and innovative solutions to the given pragmatic questions were explored. Indeed, the membership of Kandy AIESEC was motivated and inspired by the phenomenal leadership session that Thilakawardhana Group of Companies delivered.

It is with utmost courtesy that AIESEC in University of Peradeniya conveys profound gratitude to Thilakawardhana Group of Companies, not only for being the title partner for Leadership Development Seminar 4.0 but also for being the harbinger of youth empowerment for the membership of Kandy AIESEC under the limelight.

Gimshan Wickramasinghe

AIESEC in University of Peradeniya

visit thilakawardhana.com

The Power of Intention: Shaping Your Life with an Unseen Force

• iGV, Partnerships, Programs, Volunteer

ECO-V: Where leadership meets environment

Nature is a leading cause of serenity and tranquility; it has the ability to reduce any form of stress that we encounter, and it helps us see things from a different perspective. Without nature, the world would be totally dull and lifeless.

Eco-Friendly Volunteers (ECO-V) is a non-profit voluntary organization established on February 7, 2001. They are engaged in environmental conservation in Sri Lanka, which includes conservation of Biodiversity, sustainability, and climate change, and they offer a wide variety of products that are nature-friendly. ECO-V has a network of over 1000 volunteers throughout Sri Lanka who contribute to research and community work to support conservation of the environment.

Their goal is to be the most recognized voluntary environmental organization dedicated to empowering people to take actions on sustainable living and biodiversity conservation to make Sri Lanka a better place for all living organisms.

Sharing the same goal, AIESEC in SLIIT has teamed up with ECO-V in 2023 as a partner of one of our programs, Incoming Global Volunteer, to aid with the mission of healing the nature that surrounds us.

As an organization, we are delighted to team up with ECO-V to help Mother Nature recover step by step in our beloved Sri Lanka. The Incoming Global Volunteer Program can create leaders and shape the lives of many people, so this partnership is an incredible means to developing the future of Sri Lanka while also preserving its precious nature for the future leaders.

This partnership also allows our volunteers to be one with nature and have an out-of-body experience that will open their eyes to a world unknown, which is just what we are looking for.

This venture into helping nature recover one step at a timefalls in line with the objectives of our organization. Together with ECO-V, AIESEC in SLIIT looks forward to a Sri Lanka that will allow our upcoming leaders to maximize their potential.

Our Global Volunteering Program allows you to experience a culture and lifestyle that will change your perspective on everything. Go on trips and volunteer to make the community a better place!

Visit them here:

FaceBook – https://www.facebook.com/ecovsrilanka

https://www.facebook.com/groups/119363511453200

Web – www.eco-v.org

Penned by

Yohan Wickremasinghe

Content Writer – DXP & IM

AIESEC in SLIIT

• AIESEC Sri Lanka, Event, Lifestyle, Partnerships, Programs, Volunteer, Work Abroad

Navigating the B2B process and what AIESEC can offer to a potential partner.

B2B (business-to-business) processes refer to the interactions between two or more businesses, leading to partnerships with the intention of achieving mutual goals. B2B processes are important for the growth and development of any organization as they enable companies to initiate and maintain strong relationships with partners.

So, one might wonder what role B2B processes play in a non-profit organization like AIESEC.

Simply put, B2B processes are responsible for the sustainable operation of all events and functions inside AIESEC. Through B2B processes, AIESEC creates meaningful partnerships with potential companies that provide opportunities to access funding, expertise, as well as companies to partner up with our main two products: GT (Global Talent/Teacher) and GV (Global Volunteer) programs.

When it comes to B2B partnerships, one of the major drawbacks is the lack of awareness within companies about what an organization like AIESEC can bring to their table. Planned outreach and awareness-building B2B strategies will increase visibility and credibility among companies in Sri Lanka.

Here are some best practices to follow for the optimization of B2B processes:

Defining proper goals – Define clear objectives and expected outcomes before approaching potential companies. This will help in understanding the target audience and creating an effective B2B strategy.
Mutual understanding – Focus on mutual benefits which create value for both parties. It’s important to create a win-win situation where both the company and AIESEC benefit from the partnership.
Building a solid relationship – Tailor the approach to partner needs, understand their organizational culture, and strategic needs. This helps in creating a personalized experience for the company and building a long-lasting relationship.
Maintain flexibility – Ensure effective communication and adjust to changing circumstances. Flexibility is key in maintaining a successful partnership and adapting to changes in the market.
Demonstrate impact – Exhibit the impact created through AIESEC’s programs and initiatives. It’s important to showcase the impact AIESEC has had on society and how the company can contribute to creating a positive impact.

In conclusion, why should a company partner up with AIESEC?

Access to a global talent pool: AIESEC provides access to a diverse talent pool of young, talented leaders from over 120 countries. This talent pool can help companies find interns and volunteers with specific skill sets, qualifications, and cultural backgrounds that align with their workforce needs. By partnering with AIESEC, companies can tap into this vast network of potential candidates and expand their global reach.
AIESEC’s youth leadership development initiatives: Partnering with AIESEC demonstrates a company’s commitment to social responsibility and making a positive impact. AIESEC focuses on developing the leadership skills of young people, which can help companies find future leaders for their organizations. Companies that partner with AIESEC can support these initiatives and contribute to creating a better future for young people and society as a whole.
Cross-cultural understanding: AIESEC’s global network promotes cross-cultural understanding and provides opportunities for young people to gain international experience. Partnering with AIESEC can help companies foster a more diverse and inclusive workplace by bringing in interns and volunteers from different cultures and backgrounds. This can help companies build stronger relationships with their customers and partners in other countries.
Social impact: AIESEC’s focus on social impact means that partnering with AIESEC can help companies align their corporate social responsibility goals with their business objectives. By supporting AIESEC’s social impact initiatives, companies can make a positive impact on society while also benefiting their own businesses. This can include initiatives such as sustainable development, community development, and youth empowerment.
Brand and reputation building: Partnering with AIESEC can also help companies build their brand and reputation as socially responsible organizations. AIESEC is a well-respected international organization that is known for its focus on youth leadership development and social impact. By partnering with AIESEC, companies can associate themselves with this brand and demonstrate their commitment to making a positive impact in the world.
Access to local networks: AIESEC has a presence in over 1,700 universities and colleges around the world, which means that companies can tap into AIESEC’s local networks for business development and expansion. Partnering with AIESEC can help companies access new markets and establish relationships with potential partners and customers in other countries.

These are just a few reasons why a company should consider partnering with AIESEC. Ultimately, partnering with AIESEC can help companies find talented interns and volunteers, demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility, build their brand and reputation, and contribute to making a positive impact on society.

In conclusion, B2B partnerships are crucial for the growth and development of any organization, including non-profits like AIESEC. By following the best practices mentioned above, AIESEC can create meaningful partnerships with potential companies and achieve mutual goals. Companies partnering with AIESEC can access a global talent pool, contribute to creating a positive impact on society, and build their brand and reputation as a socially responsible organization.

Penned by,

Bashitha Perera

Analytics Head – DXP & IM

AIESEC in SLIIT

• AIESEC Sri Lanka, Event, Partnerships, Travel

Exploring Sri Lankan Culture through Teaching – Global Classroom 2.0

The project begins!

The beginning of September was marked with a promise of new experience for the AIESECers in the university of Kelaniya. Global Classroom, the AIESEC contribution towards the betterment of education in Sri Lanka reopened for the second time. With the title Global Classroom 2.0, the project started with new Exchange participants and a new organizing committee. Teaching in Sri Lanka was not just about teaching for the project. It was a journey planned for teaching, sharing culture, and to find themselves facing challenges in a new terrain. This was, in the experience of exchange participants and the organizing committee, a landmark which helped their personalities take shape.

The approval set the course for the journey of three exchange participants; Brian Muraya from Kenya, Eleni Papaefthymiou from Greece and Gulcan Ebru from Turkey. They arrived in the first week of September, a few days before the commencement of the project.

Expectations

At the ceremonial end of their Global Classroom journey, we asked how they felt about their whole experience.

“I was relying a lot on the media, before I came here. When I did, I learned that Sri Lanka was different to what I saw in them,” said Brian. “People here are happy and ever smiling” He says. “I wanted to teach my students and I wanted to learn about the culture and the people.”

“My best moments apart from traveling were interacting with kids. I learned the way they think, which was a rewarding experience.” Brian remarked recalling his students at LEEDS International in Negombo.

Elen, who worked at the WISE international, Kandana, told us that what she expected first from here was to be safe. And in the comfort of working with the students she told us how much she enjoyed teaching. “Today, my students learned that we were leaving soon. Most of the children told me ‘don’t go, Elen teacher, live here’ and I felt so touched by that.” Elen expects to continue in her path to become a teacher in Greece. We witnessed ourselves how much she had bonded with her students at the final day event.

Gulcan worked with Elen at WISE international with Elen teaching students of the primary section. She also aspires to become a math teacher, which she claims has become a more clear ambition after this project. “The best part of the project for me too was working with the students. In teacher’s day, I saw the pure love they had and I just love them for that.”

Incoming Preparation Seminar and Work Experience

The Incoming Preparation Seminar of the project happened soon after the arrival of the exchange participants. There we explained them further their role as a volunteer working in the Global Classroom project. More importantly, they got to experience some of the cultural food items, and some rituals of Sri Lanka.

Searching for beauty

In addition to the teaching in their allocated schools, traveling and experiencing Sri Lankan culture was what occupied them. They travelled to Galle and the Colombo city, seeking for more memories. Some of the religious icons they found, evoked their curiosity, and told us later how much similar they found this religiousness with their countries. The sun bathed city of Galle was another mesmerizing landscape that captured the minds of the EPs.

One of the ER partners for the project, Ape Panthiya, was one such experience that granted the EPs one such experience to engage with students of Advanced Levels. With them, Brian shared his culture, and his knowledge of his country and leaving with them the curiosity to inspire them to understand his culture.

The Final Day Event

The end crawled near for the project with the second week of October. And the OC of the project had to announce its officiality. To make the effect of the project even more impactful the OC decided to donate the many and the best books to the WISE International they found hunting especially for the event. The book donation took place on the 14th, with the participation of all the exchange participants.

Farewell

The OC arranged the farewell on the same day as the final day event. The OC had found a lovely beachside restaurant: Light House Galley facing the ocean met at the Galle face. Officially gathering for the last day, all the EPs and the OC got their chance to talk about the experience, the best and the funniest, the scary and the challenging moments of their journey. We shared all the stories over a final Sri Lankan style meal that we would take together, which we all took time to savor.

Also, we made it an opportunity to celebrate Elen’s 23rd birthday that arrived two weeks earlier on the day of Galle tour. A cake was brought on her behalf and everyone joined to sing for a marvelous 23rd. Another ER partner, Gamage Stores, offered us some of their art and crafts, miniature versions of ancient Sri Lankan cultural artifacts as souvenirs for the EPs, which we presented to them near the end of the event. Throughout this concluding event that carved in every one of them unforgettable memories, a spectrum of emotions was committed to pixels, so that everyone in the project could reminisce time and again.

End of a journey…

Only a week remained for the EPs to bid farewell to their students, and the new bonds they made working in a country foreign to them. Elen and Gulcan decided to work with the students at WISE to the last day they could. The bond they made with kids made it difficult, even at the end of the project to leave.

Brian, who found the people and the culture of Sri Lanka fascinating, traveled to Matara and Pinnawala to add more vibrance to the experience he wanted to remember. And in the third week of October, the time came for the EPs to say their goodbyes to the students. And so the project Global Classroom 2.0 ended, with many points of history in their memories as a series of experiences in which they rediscovered themselves.

• Leadership, Lifestyle, Membership, Partnerships

Stepping outside your boundaries – Have a valuable volunteering experience at a young age

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”
Milton Berle

Exactly. We have to find opportunities to ignite the spark within ourselves. We are all used to working according to a schedule. But if you get a chance to step out from your boundaries; will you grab that opportunity?

If I say taking part in a volunteer project in another country would lead to a way to find who you are and what you are capable of; Would you believe that?

Yes, it is; Volunteering can be done anywhere but it will be another level of experience if you choose to be a volunteer in another country.

Taking part as a Volunteer…

As youth souls in this generation; we all are looking to add something to life. Taking part in a volunteer programme will show a pathway to find your capabilities and also a way to give your contribution to the well-being of society.

But if you get a chance to join a volunteer project in a foreign country, it would be a better experience than taking part in local volunteering. Stepping out from your usual social life to a different society with different cultural aspects, different thinking patterns and different social values is a challenge. Even though it’s a challenge, blending with different societies will lead you to uplevel your confidence.

Basically volunteering is based on education, environmental conservation, travel, community development, etc. Educational volunteer projects based on teaching school children; teaching a foreign student is a delightful experience because you will get to know more about the culture and you have to adjust to their educational level based on the country they live in. By joining environmental conservation projects or travel-related projects; you will be able to see the beauty of mother nature and get mesmerized by beautiful destinations. Those are some of the experiences that you can get through volunteering.

If we broadly look into this, volunteering in another country allows you to find your true potential, and also you will be able to experience the diversity of the world. As you will meet different people from different ethnicities, cultures, and backgrounds; Meeting them and adjusting to their nature help you to grow throughout your life. Also, you will get an opportunity to help mankind during these difficult times.

Joining as a youth volunteer…

The twenties are a life-changing age for everyone; what if you choose to be a volunteer in a foreign country in your twenties?!

Speaking of that, joining as a volunteer at a young age will lead to building a successful personality in the future. Let’s see how volunteering helps to build up our personalities.

Volunteering gives us the opportunity to work through real-life situations and make significant changes. As we have to find solutions to the problems that we face in that country and we have to work with the people of another country with various backgrounds; which develops innovative thinking.

We can have a better knowledge of other countries’ cultural values, and social values, and add some more valuable qualities to ourselves. Also, it will develop our adaptability when working with foreign people.

As a part of the youth generation, volunteering gives us an opportunity to fulfill our social responsibility toward society. Volunteering is mainly based on the welfare of the society so that we can take part in spreading kindness and awareness throughout the world of social wellbeing. It’s not only beneficial to you but also beneficial to society and the world too.

Working as a volunteer at a young age has a huge impact. When we grow up we will be having a lot of responsibilities taking care of ourselves as well as our own families. We are on our way to the corporate world to find the most suitable career for us. Volunteering helps you to find your passion while working as a volunteer. For example, if you enjoy teaching kids, then that’s your passion; likewise, we can find our passion through volunteering.

Being a volunteer will make it easier to fulfill these responsibilities because it solves real-life situations throughout the volunteer journey. The experience of volunteering helps you to become a responsible adult in the future.

Volunteering will give you lifelong memories whist creating a potential personality within yourself. Not only does volunteering create leaders, but it also creates responsible citizens. So, let’s step out of our comfort zone, usual schedules go beyond our limits and make the world a better place.

Why, wait? Don’t waste your energy by limiting yourself to a routine that is built up for you by society. Grab your opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, and add new experiences while growing alongside your own volunteering journey.

Partnerships