Legacies Start in AIESEC’s International Youth Leaders Conference 2014
Other than change, international student-run organization AIESEC believes people are constant in this world and that developing leadership in millions of young leaders can create the change needed today.
Last March 22, 2014, over 500 student leaders pledged to live and leave their personal legacies in AIESEC’s International Youth Leadership Conference 2014 (IYLC) at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura Premier, Taguig City.
“Leadership is the fundamental solution to the world’s problems and it can be developed. With constant development of self-leadership, one day you can make a difference. A better you means a better world,” AIESEC President Audrey Elumba said.
The one-day youth summit revolved around leadership in the introspective, community, and global aspect and encouraged delegates to celebrate and create leadership triumphs.
“Each person has a potential to make a difference and build a legacy that ends the cycle of corruption. You can be the end to that cycle,” Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago said.
The iconic senator also underscored that the Asia Pacific youth can become world-class leaders with strong foundations of openness to experiential learning, determination, trust and respect. Santiago emphasized that youth leaders should always “serve and add value to others.”
IYLC also had a leadership café where personal leadership experiences were shared and addressed in small groups. Panel discussions and talks also promoted community development advocacies for the youth to take part of.
“When you’re fighting for a cause, you have to make people understand why it’s important. Always communicate your vision as a leader and you will be able to inspire people,” Multimedia reporter Natashya Gutierrez said.
To further its advocacy, AIESEC held its first-ever Youth Leadership Awards in IYLC and were given to UP Advertising Core, TomasinoWeb, UPLB Communicators Association, Asian Medical Students’ Association, and Ateneo Assembly, university organizations that had exemplified leadership qualities and community relevance in their own campuses.
The conference ended with a Youth Rally wherein 500 delegates were driven to create a common purpose of inspiring social change through activating, developing, and celebrating youth leadership in the Asia Pacific.
IYLC was part of the Asia Pacific Conference, the organization’s largest regional apex hosted by AIESEC Philippines this 2014.
The International Youth Leaders Conference was made possible by Megaworld, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Citibank, Mcdonald’s, Nestle Temptations, Personal, Fusion, and Universal Robina Corporation. It was co-presented by Fox International Channels, in partnership with SM Aura Premier and Samsung Hall, and in coordination with WhenInManila.com, ClickTheCity, Rappler, Chalk, and Wazzup Pilipinas.
PHOTO BY: April Baldovino of Shoot UPM
