Everywhere in the world, we create leadership.

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• AIESEC Sri Lanka, blog, Leadership, Membership, Uncategorized, Youth

Everywhere in the world, we create leadership.

Everywhere in the world, we create leadership.

Inspiring Global Leadership

The world we live in is filled with challenges and transcends borders. The significance of leadership comes into the spotlight as courageous souls take the first step in facing those challenges and breaking these borders. Leadership is not merely about power or having authority over others. It is about inspiring change, fostering collaboration, and driving progress. Across the globe, we AIESECers are pioneering in nurturing leadership qualities among young individuals, making a positive impact on a global scale.

The Essence of Leadership

We, at AIESEC, one of the world’s largest youth-run organizations, approach cultural understanding and sustainable development goals, facilitating international exchanges. AIESEC enables young leaders to navigate and appreciate cultural nuances, fostering empathy and adaptability. These are essential qualities for effective leadership in the globalized world. Moreover, we emphasize the importance of collaboration, recognizing that sustainable solutions to complex problems emerge when diverse perspectives come together.

AIESEC’s Mission

Above all, anyone who interacts with AIESEC can get practical experience in leadership. Through leadership development initiatives, such as conferences, workshops, and hands-on projects. Further, AIESEC empowers young individuals to step into leadership roles, take initiative to drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond. By providing a platform for experimentation and learning by doing, AIESEC cultivates a generation of leaders who are equipped with theoretical knowledge and possess the resilience and adaptability to tackle real-world challenges.

Today in this world leadership knows no boundaries. Whether addressing climate change, promoting social justice, or fostering economic development the news for a visionary and empathetic leadership is paramount. There, young leaders who are built through AIESEC play an important role. While we stand as the testament to the power of youth leadership in creating a more sustainable, equitable, and interconnected world.

 

Dakshika Jayaweera

Content Writer 

AIESEC in University of Peradeniya

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• AIESEC Sri Lanka, blog, Leadership, Membership, Travel, Volunteer, Youth

Volunteering Stories: AIESEC’s Enduring Impact

Volunteering Stories: AIESEC’s Enduring Impact

Hear from Sandun Abeywardhana, an exchange participant and alumni of AIESEC in Kandy and the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka who embarked on a journey to Vietnam through AIESEC in Kandy.

Meet Sandun!

Our alumnus Sandun Abeywardana was able to join us virtually to share his story with us. Though he graduated from the University of Peradeniya with a degree in Civil Engineering back in 2019, he is currently serving as a Project Manager in the IT sector. His roles, holding managerial positions at AIESEC, have helped him adapt to his shift in the job market. His is a story that is truly inspiring for any undergraduate.

A rocky road leading to a destination of achievement

His journey as an exchange participant of AIESEC began in 2015, through a twist of fate, his plans to climb the Himalayas would crash and his first exchange opportunity to visit Vietnam would take off. His hidden self who had not been able to make a comfort zone of AIESEC was in for a complete transformation. Seeing the AIESEC poster on volunteering abroad while going through the Akbar canteen changed his life, quite literally!

In Vietnam, he was engaged in a volunteer English teaching project. But as he fondly recalled – his experience was complete because of the other exchange participants he met through the project. His fellow exchange participants came from around the world: from the land down under to China, Indonesia, India and so on. His memory could jot down in detail how one of them losing a backpack in a taxi brought them closer. His exchange programme took place during the December holidays in 2015. He spent his Christmas with different cultures, cruising around Vietnam.

Along with the valuable experience of teaching the youngsters English, Sandun also got to learn. His newfound friends taught him about culture and hospitality – one even went to the extent of inviting him to celebrate their Lunar New Year with them. At the Global Village in Vietnam, he dressed in a traditional Sinhala batik attire and waved our flag up high! His eyes have been culturally coloured ever since – over the year, his friends from that exchange trip to Vietnam still keep in touch!

Aftermath

   

Post his volunteering experience, he became a part of the organisation within the University of Peradeniya. He climbed the ladder in the organisation of AIESEC where he ultimately held the National role of being a part of the National Body of AIESEC Sri Lanka, becoming one of the first Kandy members to ever do so. A long journey indeed yet, it didn’t quite halt there. He later became a part of the National body of AIESEC in Vietnam for the 2019/20 term, to relive and as tribute to his life-changing volunteering experience in Vietnam that started it all.

Even though Sandun’s AIESEC journey unfolded in 2015, its impact has been transformative and timeless. It is a testament to how volunteering with AIESEC leaves lasting impressions that stay on with you for life.

 

Thisandi Weerasinghe 

AIESEC in University of Peradeniya

 

EXPLORING THE ESSENCE OF LEADERSHIP

Kandy Roar 4.0 | Day – 2 After Movie

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• AIESEC Sri Lanka, Leadership, Lifestyle, Membership, MentalHealth, Programs, Uncategorized, Work Abroad, Youth

Elevating Youth Through Emotional Intelligence

Elevating Youth Through Emotional Intelligence

A life without obstacles and challenges is no better than a colorless painting. How a person chooses to survive in those challenging environments defines one’s overall success both in career and personal life. Emotional Intelligence is likjordan max aura 4 jordan 13 nike air max 90 air jordan 4 military black air jordan 1 element air max goaterra 2.0 nike jordan zoom air cmft jordan max aura 4 air max goaterra 2.0 red and black jordan 1 nike ispa 270 air max retro 4 nike air max 270 women’s sale air jordan 1 low flyease air max retro 4 a subtle art of leading the way gracefully through all the pits and falls. Let’s hear our alumni Randi Munaweera dive into the depths of the five components of Emotional Intelligence through her AIESEC experience.

Self Awareness – “As a Team Member, being open to feedback made me think of myself from a different perspective”

As a result of living in a society, you may always get feedback. Whether it is critical or not, take it as an opportunity to see the picture from a whole new angle. It may even benefit you in understanding yourself more elaborately, identifying your strengths and weaknesses allowing you to further improve. But keep in mind to keep healthy boundaries when taking feedback too. No one is perfect. Yet through self-awareness, one can overcome imperfections while achieving greater things in life.

Social Skills – “The inclusive atmosphere I built with my team as the OCP of Trailblazers got us through many unexpected challenges.”

The way you engage with the people around you is like a determining parameter of victory. Especially when working as a team, building up trust in your environment with open communication and proper collaboration makes you approachable to the people around you. These skills play a major part when understanding the team and their strengths which results in obtaining their full cooperation to work towards achieving a common goal. The more committed the team, the more they are capable of facing unexpected challenges and striving towards success.

Empathy- “As an LCVP PM, I always approached disengaging members.”

We never know what someone is going through in their life. Instead of jumping to conclusions and making strict decisions, you’d be surprised how much of a positive impact you can have on someone by simply being empathic towards them. Always try to take other’s concerns into the matter while understanding them and offering support. Even though it sounds overwhelming, it helps to build up trust and elevate others. And this might improve the overall performance of your team in the long run.

Self Regulation – “With all the pressure of final year exams, a full-time job and being MCVP TM as a part-time job, I made sure to organize my tasks rather than expressing my frustrations.”

Life can be overwhelming with too much on your hands to handle. Sometimes there may be shoes to fit in and a lot of things to balance. No one can help pressure build up in such circumstances. In fact, it is as normal as the sun setting in the west. What really matters is how all these emotions are handled with restraint and control. Bursting out emotions without restraint might even tarnish your reputation. Try channeling your negative emotions into a creative yet productive way of achieving your goals. Plan your work. Manage time. Give yourself some admiration as you slowly overcome your struggles.

Decision Making – “When I was the MCVP in Switzerland I had to come across a very unexpected and challenging situation while handling an AIESEC conference. My experience as an LCVP, MCVP, and all OC positions helped me handle this issue and make the conference successful.”

The world would be a pretty boring place if everything goes as planned. Besides, if plan A did not go well, there is still an alphabet of letters left. In challenging situations, the ability to adapt is vital. Especially when you hold so many responsibilities, your one wrong choice has the potential to cause a lot of problems. But once you step into society, you don’t get to test run. That’s when the experience you gain in AIESEC comes in handy. Every opportunity you take here comes with a bundle of skills and you get to learn with trial and error. Take as many opportunities as possible and make the best out of it. So that you’ll be ready when the time comes.

Vishani Nawodya
AIESEC in University of Peradeniya

 

EXPLORING THE ESSENCE OF LEADERSHIP

Kandy Roar 4.0 | Day – 2 After Movie

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

Kandy Roar 4.0 – Inked pages of a diary of an Organizing Committee President.

Kandy Roar 4.0 – Inked pages of a diary of an Organizing Committee President.

This was the most enormous opportunity and adventurous journey I have ever taken. It was a two-day conference, which is grand and appealing. Finally, I was able to be the most significant part of Kandy AIESEC by executing the Leadership Development Seminar with an amazing Organizing Committee and a Co-Organizing Committee President. This chapter enlightened me with many lifetime experiences, and I will tell you how.

Leadership Development Seminar 4.0, subtitled Kandy Roar, was held on the 28th and 29th of October 2023 in Oruthota Chalets, Digana, Kandy. I’m sure this conference offered unforgettable memories, inspiring sessions and strength to the young and energetic Kandy membership to unravel their potential to make the world a better place as exemplary leaders. This time, the conference seized the opportunity to showcase a chivalric code of conduct and sorcery as its theme was Merlin, the medieval British culture (Camelot) and sorcery. The theme itself aligned with the scope of the conference to enhance, motivate and upscale the personalities of young leaders through the discipline of leadership. Two months of sweat, dedication through plight, and sleepless nights eventually manifested into an arena that converted the Kandy membership into an unstoppable leadership force

There were multiple memories I made during and before Leadership Development Seminar that ushered me satisfaction and happiness but above all, what made me jubilant to this day is the feedback of the delegates. The compliments and smiles that were on their faces defined what satisfaction actually meant. Looking at them having the best during the two days slowly dissolved the fatigue I had due to restless work. They offered me the assurance that the Leadership Development Seminar was held prestigiously and touched the pinnacle of success. For me, planning and executing such a huge conference that requires a hundred percent commitment was obviously hard work. I had to sacrifice my sleep and free time. But, then again, that taught me what is it to step out of my comfort zone and take a risk once in a lifetime. I think I took the expedient and the right decision to be the Organizing Committee President to deliver a leadership conference because it taught me how to work under pressure, turbulence, and hardships and yet keep going no matter what happened. Apart from the operations, the quality time and pleasant memories I have collected with my Organizing Committee in this journey are worth having a discussion about. It would take days to talk about it with giggles.

This is what AIESEC offers its assets. And that offer is better to be grabbed than repenting later. It will change one’s life and perspectives. Nonetheless, hereby I conclude this chapter of my AIESEC journey with two simple quotes that encouraged me to be brave and step outside my comfort zone to experience the horizon.

 

“If you’re experiencing turbulence and pressure, that probably means you’re rising.”

Taylor Swift

 

“So never give up no matter how hard it could be. Let that turbulence nourish you, instead of devouring you.”

Gimshan Wickramasinghe

AIESEC in University of Peradeniya

 

Kandy Roar 4.0 – Day 1

Kandy Roar 4.0 – Day 2

 

Unravelling the Conflict and Paving the Way to Peace

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• AIESEC Sri Lanka, blog, Leadership, Lifestyle, Membership, MentalHealth, Youth

All this chaos: how to not make it yours?

All this chaos: how to not make it yours?

No matter what or where your priorities in life lay, you will come to a time where you must turn with the winds than resist it. The fast paced business world is closing in on us and consumerism is at its peak; with this capitalism will revolve around you. A situation of absolute whirlwind of chaos with deadlines, mental demands, midnight business call links, constant travels to places you’d dread that make you snuck out your soft bed in the morning and make you late for dinner! Yet as apophatic philosophy tells you, it’s via negativa to reach the ends of peace. 

Let me take Lord of the Rings to elaborate.  Frodo and his fellow hobbits take the road through the old forest to evade the pursuit of Black Riders. They are nearly killed by the angry tree called Old Man Willow, but are saved at the last moment by Tom Bombadil. The forest is known for its dangers but its crossing is essential for its journey. Similarly in medieval times, the heroic journey comprised of horrors and impending doom constantly shadow king over them, but nevertheless, there was the journey. 

Now what’s different in the contemporary context is that instead of the vivid lush greens of the Middle Earth, there is AC, bland wall colours along with far less styled and might I add, quite uneventful use of language. Yet circumstances remain the same. The situations around you may not align with your set of values and faith, but in rebellion and immersion, you are given the space to question and living in the cognitive dissonance of it all. Cognitive dissonance as widely defined on the WWW refers to the state of having inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes, especially as relating to behavioral decisions and attitude change. But in simpler words, it is the discord you feel when your thoughts and that of the world around you does not align. Humans are naturally conformist, hence, they will always try to work their way into belonging. Recently through a series of decisions, I caved into a decision that didn’t seem mine at all. Instead it was a series of why’s that followed it instead of a pat on my back. Yet it is here I try to justify that anger may not be a bad thing. It reestablishes one’s purpose in things. My values were challenged and through my anger, I was able to build them back with greater strongholds defending them. Even beyond the capitalist ventures of the corporate lands, you find such discord in far more important places such as religious institutions, primary and secondary education providers, the very core of state governance and so on. The value of via negativa is then a smart mindset to adapt. It is far more embedded in learning of controlling the controllable (i.e. your mind) than controlling the uncontrollable forces (i.e. the external world). In strengthening your mind to exist without internalizing the situations around you, you are naturally pushed to a realm where you are unswayed by the chaos. This reiterates the phrase- journey over destination. 

In all essence, thereby, one must aspire to be a leader of oneself where the eye of the hurricane is embodied, where amidst the chaos, you stand still in peace. 

Thisandi Weerasinghe

AIESEC in University of Peradeniya

Does AIESEC truly transform personalities as it promises?

What Do You Do When the Chaos of Life Surrounds You?

 

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