Amid pun and fun-filled speeches, an interweaving Kathak- tap dance, and a spine-chilling Kalari Payattu performance by martial arts experts from Kerala, the AIESEC’s 62nd International Congress kicked off in Hyderabad on Monday.
“This event marks a turning point for all 50,000 members in the AIESEC network, as it is our time to create the organisation’s next five-year vision,” said AIESEC International president Hugo Pereira.
The 2010 edition of the youth summit, being held in India for the second time, is expected to bring together 700 young leaders from 100-odd countries and territories, besides attracting over 45,000 virtual participants.
With a theme ‘Converging leadership and diversity’, the student-run 10-day event will focus on a multitude of issues such as sustainability, technology, youth-led impact movements, ethical business, emerging markets and labour mobility.
“The incredible experience I had during my time in AIESEC is still what drives me to give back to the current membership as an alumnus,” Amit Shahi, chief executive officer of The IdeaWorks and India — Future of Change, explained why he chose AIESEC 2010 as the platform for the launch of India - Future of Change.
V Rajanna, regional head of Hyderabad for Tata Consultancy Services, emphasised the importance of ‘Taking India to the world’, by relying on youth leadership and the progression of the Indian education system in defining the country’s industrial expansion.
In addition to the conference delegates, 5,000 college students from over 22 cities in India were also in attendance at a vibrant festival called the Global Village, in which all the 7,000 of the conference delegates showcased their cultures.