AI Transition: Two-Years On

"Keep the glass topped up, it's not over just yet
Pull off the social bluff, celebrate your success
Turn the sunlight out, find a place in the shade
If you measure the world by the mark that you make."

- The Metre, Powderfinger

I returned late Sunday night from the AIESEC International 06-08 Transition Weekend. On one level this weekend is the handover of responsibility between management teams, on another it marks two distinct milestones in the journeys of forty-five of the world's most remarkable young people. For the outgoing members it is the end of the most intellectually, physically and emotionally intense year that most of us will ever experience. For the incoming members, it is the dream-like beginning to a journey that they simply cannot fathom.

To stand in the midst of the 06-08 celebrations was to be in a memory that was almost my own. Two years ago, I stood arm-in-arm with my team, AI 04-05, sharing our final bows together. We were overflowing with the happiness of finishing well, the liberation and anticipation over what will come next, the sadness of knowing that we will now be spread across the globe and that these days of infinite possibility will all to quickly become fond memories.

Two years later another group of young people were sharing these experiences, trying to unravel their plans for the future, celebrating together and handing something precious to a new group- something they had carried close to their heart for the longest twelve-months of their life. It was beautiful to watch all this once more- but now from the outside- as an alumni and friend.

Returning to this space brought powerful reminiscence and reflection of the way that has passed since I completed my role as Director of Western Europe and North America. Here I was called to look at myself with younger eyes, to judge the self with these older expectations and listen to a voice that had hidden in memories too close to hear. I could not have understood the challenges and pitfalls that I would encounter, but neither could I have comprehended the understanding and insight that has been gained through times both dark and light. Finally, the knowledge that the way has been furthered and the direction remains true let me return this judgement of my previous self with a knowing smile, a deeper sense of peace and another degree of closure on this important part of my history.

Many thanks to AI 06-08 for this opportunity, and for all those of who have been inside AIESEC, who have lived and wrestled with it's very core, I wish you well upon your way in this beautiful struggle.

A Letter to the Delegates

A Letter to the Delegates of Solution 2006
A unique platform for positive change, hosted by AIESEC and the Two Wings Foundation, which I am most excited to be chairing in the beginning of February in Vienna.

"Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe."- H.G. Wells

The struggle of human progress- in both politics and philosophy- is the unravelling of two fundamental paradoxes within our collective and individual humanity. The first is found in the ascent of human civilization. Over the last ten-thousand years we have learned through experience, reacting to the lessons of failure. This is how we have developed democracy and separation of powers, the fundamental rights of man and state, restricted use of nuclear weapons and complete environmental destruction. Although we have learned slowly, often tragically so, we have indeed learned and the potential for a human born in the 21st Century to experience, create, generate and protect is far greater than every before. However, in the approaching ecological/geological collapse we face a challenge that our time-tested reactive approach cannot solve. Simply put, if we do not learn before the fall, than we will learn because of it. There will be massive consequences for the cultural and technological achievements of humanity, yet it is these same achievements that give us, for the first time in our long history, a chance to learn proactively and change our fate. This is the first paradox I would like to explore with you in the rare thinking space provided by Solution 2007.

"What is education? I should suppose that education was the curriculum one had to run through in order to catch up with oneself, and he who will not pass through this curriculum is helped very little by the fact that he was born in the most enlightened age."
- Søren Kierkegaard, "Fear and Trembling".

Two questions underlie all schools of philosophy, psychology and spiritual development; what is? And, what should I do? This search for the self, for meaning and comprehension of reality has been critical to the development of political, intellectual, artistic and spiritual leadership throughout history. By looking to both the sciences and wisdom traditions we can gain clarity on this leadership path- but also explore the deepening paradox between self and selflessness, individuality and interconnection, experience and reality, that lines the way. The learning journey of leadership is challenging and personal, yet it holds the key to unlocking our potential for unique self-expression and the fundamental global changes necessary for the continued progress of our civilization. In the platform of Solution 2007 I hope you discover the map of your own leadership path, and by the end of our time together you find yourself already well upon your way.

peace

Arthur Josephson

Chair, Solution 2007
Leadership Development Consultant, ABN AMRO
Director, AIESEC International 04-05
arthursblog@gmail.com
arthur.nomadlife.org

Cute Party Time in Japan

Recently, I was looking for traineeship opportunities through AIESEC's Work Abroad Program. Apart from some excellent professional positions that I'm considering I was forwarded this interesting opportunity.

"I' m interested in you!
Our position is in kind of cute cafe, but teaching English to their customers.
Customers enjoy speaking with taking some sips with tea or sweets!
Sometimes they have cute party.
We needs Native Speakers teaching English, with serving some foods for their customers. 
Ms. Yamamoto,the owner of this Cafe is great people, and enthusiastic for English education.
You can learn a lot from her."

Now, as you well know I'm not one to turn down cute party, especially one that involves the sipping of tea or sweets at cute cafe. However, there is a more profitable business chatting to customers in Japan- and their cute party involves whiskey and many, many thousands of Yen.

And in these modern times of change, can't we all learn a lot from
Ms. Yamamoto?

Some Goodbye

Well, Ive just sent the launch letter for "Learning Networks" strategy Ive been trying to grow all year. In theory Friday was my last day on AIESEC International, but this was an innovation I had been chasing for the last 7 years so what is one more intense day of creation. In a few minutes I will leave one of the most beautiful environments in the world. Today is the last day I will call myself an AIESECer. It is a wonderful thing.

In recent days I've some members of the new team ask why there is no secret handover on AIESEC International. Where is the ancient sword or diamond encrusted eagle that is handed from team to team, or guardian to guardian, AI generation to AI generation- in this the very home of youth leadership. They will realise in the coming days and weeks that they stand as the new leaders of the organisation. And they will wonder where it came from, when it happened. Was it a session or a conference? They will try to trace back the exact day when they "became" AIESEC International, when they had the "full responsibility" of the organisation.

Perhaps at the end of their journey here they will realise that it happened many years ago at their journies beginning. Guardianship of our organisation is not placed upon AI or any other shoulders - it is taken by all those who lend their spirit to our vision, who are prepared to act for something higher when the world compels us silient. It can lend itself to any vessel but will be mastered by no one. It cannot be given, it must be born within.

The most marvellous people I have met in my life had such born within them. They could laugh, and cry, and work and struggle and practice all hedonistic excess, but they could not mask the life force that beat within them, and never should they. The honest and full desire to be give, to create, to help, to lead us into a world where things could be different. They are AIESECers.

Today is the last that I shall count myself among them, although forever I shall number as a brother-in-spirit. Different shores that have been calling me for sometime now grow louder. I hear roar of breakers crashing on a unknown shore and finally I must set sail.

Good luck and go well, o' guardians of the spirit.

peace
Arthur

Blogging from the Bank

Im sitting in a washington conference room with three World Bank Agencies and 16 of the world�s largest youth organisations. We have convened the Youth Development and Peace Forum- a network working with The Bank on a development and poverty agenda. The focus of this meeting is Non-Formal Education- so it would seem that AIESEC has a fair bit to offer on the topic. However everyone else is working on using NFE where formal education is missing or of poor quality, rather than looking at how NFE can be used to complement education. Again AIESEC seems to be the only org at this level that is focussing on these �top talents� - which gives us a valuable niche. Its also quite short sighted that these agencies don�t see the long-term potential of developing individuals who can make major positive change at a local, national and global level.

The delegates are quite diverse. The differences can be seen in how they act about their attendence here. The Eurocrats and others considering themselves �major players� feel they have the right to be here and are not wasting a moment in lobbying their agenda. It�s incredible to see young people who have molded themselves on political buereaucracy- such a change from the direct, independent thinking and higher outcome focussed mentality more common in @ers. On the other hand we have other global orgs- who are more independent and obviously have less strong relations with the Bank. Most of these reps feel they have a responsibility to be here to contribute but don�t expect much. Then we have the smaller orgs or national reps that seem to be fighting their impact battle in this forum and find a way to bring any topic into their field.

Yet again I am surprise at how different @ is; our people, our cultural space, our discussion and conference environment. In short, we kick ass.

Tomorrow we will be inputting into the World Development Report- the Banks key analysis global development. Signing off- your Bretton-Woods semiskeptic.

After AIESEC; my next steps into the unknown

Photos by Tom Weaver

Since the international elections in IPM Romania 2005, my search for a path forward after AIESEC has become a practical necessity as the end date to my @ life was stamped JULY 31st 2005. I have had long term plans for the last six years of my life; since an intense period of changing environments, experiences and reflection resulted in my first major discovery moments and the beginning of this path. My plans mapped out the journey I wanted to walk in a number of dimensions, as an attempt at a holistic vision for my life, and ranged from my AIESEC time well into the future. They changed as I learnt more about my individuality and further constructed my worldview. However, the AIESEC period has remained more or less constant as I have walked it- and by chance mentions being “Director on AI in 04-05”. The plans after @ were more dynamic as my long-term career ambition evolved from working in Epidemic Disease in the WHO, to NGO- consulting, to founding a new type of University.

The search for those fabled cross-roads, where Aristotle’s says your passions and the needs of your world meet to mark your vocation, has been a vital part of my journey. This journey has, by more than chance alone, ranged across 36 countries and covered equal expanses of doubt and discovery within myself. For a long while I rested my ambition on the expectations of others- and found happy compromises that seemed to satisfy me, those around me, and the “practical reality” in which we live; economically and socially. However, in the last few months my deeper self has been growing louder in discontent. The whisper of “maybe” in a greater potential raged with equally growing waves of doubt until I have been little room for individual thought, reflection and creation. I wondered if it was the Icarus in me- or whether I was merely sharing the essence of every dreamer; those burning embers of hope which give life meaning and energy and cannot be divorced from the soul without extinguishing it completely. After much aversion I began to realize that the choice has already been made in me, and this was clarified through another reworking of my vision and plans. And thus I decided finally that I would head to Cairo on September 1st 2005 for a period of 4-6 months self-directed learning. In these months I do not plan to enroll in university nor employment, rather I will pursue independent creation, study and reflection. I shall commit most of my time to reading and writing philosophy- in an attempt to express the underlying philosophy and ideological framework that forms my understanding of humanity, consciousness and human development. I hope it will also be a remarkably reflective period of my life as it concludes a large chapter of my story and will involve planting the experiences and relationships that have marked its pages to ensure they survive well into the future.

Cairo is the perfect location for two essential and four additional but wonderfully beneficial reasons. The essential factors is that it is pretty much the only place I can afford to rent an apartment with a decent internet connection yet can still travel back to Europe cheaply. The wonderfully beneficial reasons are 1- Egypt is a country with a wealth of incredible experiences to be had, 2- gaining insights into the Islamic and Arab worlds, as well as a specific induction into a very different cultural space, 3- it will be Ramadan and a great opportunity for a physical and mental fast, 4- I have just had two incredible weeks there and there seems to be really cool people in Cairo and a electric environment. So, a few more months here, followed by a month in Hungary and Romania having victory travels with some AI mates and I will be riding a one-way ticket to Cairo.




And then? I believe the next step for me will be in applying a subset of this broader philosophy into a “practical” field. At the moment this looks like it could be in graduate study writing on learning environments and human development, or working in corporate leadership development; both as stepping stones to positions where curricula and learning spaces can be created- and perhaps even founding university in the long-term. The important conclusion for me is the realization that whatever form I find to express in my career I would essentially be a philosopher. I draw this distinction as I hold paramount the conscious and endless search for deeper understanding, to shape my life around this understanding and to communicate whatever learnings I gain in whichever way can prove more beneficial for my community. At worst after the six months of purely choice based life then this broader philosophical enquiry returns to a lifelong hobby. At best it will grow into a means where I can integrate my life more fully and study, write and speak on the field of my passion, as a student, teacher, writer and lecturer. A choice which doesn’t find an easy fit in my generation and culture; where philosophy is so academic and spirituality is so institutionalized.

I feel a calling in the world I see around me; in the wasteful divisions between our common community, in the lack of long term perspective for our common environment, and in the lack of a meaningful path for individual and collective development. I believe answers lie in renewed philosophies and that in the search for such a solution I can find the greatest contribution and the greatest fulfillment. Thus I seek this understanding with my full commitment even if it only finds benefit for me although my hope is, and shall always be, many times greater. For those seeking to share this path of discovery I hope you will join me in dialogue for at least my Egypt days where learning is paramount and all perspectives welcome.

Peace

Arthur

"I went into the woods because I wanted to live deliberately. I wanted to live deep, and suck out all the marrow of life. To put to rout all that was not life, and not, when I have come to die, discover that I had not lived."
-Henry David Thoreau, Walden

Dublin Reflections

Im in Dublin on an AIESEC visit, my first time back since I finished my MCP term and left for South Africa two years ago. As I walk the streets Im bombarded by so many memories- although in my mind it's never really this sunny- I have a perpetual image of Dublin in the dark and the wet, the Liffey glowing a dull green in fluorescent reflection of towering lampposts. Two years and twenty odd countries have passed; Dublin looks newer and I feel much older.

Closing speech and a new dawn

This is the last speech I gave in IPM during the PAI election... I was speaking as much for myself and my journey as I was for AIESEC.

"There is a story being told in the world around us. It tells us to fear the foreign and the unknown. It says that only few can survive, and to survive we must fight. It says that some are better than the whole and that we must divide and isolate. It threatens that we are endangered an alone.

In AIESEC I have found another story. I have found a story that speaks to what is common in us. I have found a story that says we can work better together, than alone, that we are more similar than different, that we have a community and future in Humanity.

I believe the future of the world will be shaped by one of these stories - it is up to us to determine which.

The discovery of humanity has been my AIESEC journey. I have found it the hearts and minds of our members, though we seldom see it. I have found it in the vision and the strategy of our organisation though we seldom hear it. I have found it the actions and determination of our leaders, though we seldom speak it.

I say this spirit, our Vision, shall lead our organisation. It shall guide our strategy, will inspire our member base, will bring together diverse perspectives, people and organisations around a common aim.

To this end, I offer you all that I have.
I offer you my mind, which seeks to learn, seeks to teach, seeks to find a better way forward. I offer you my vision, an engaged, relevant and sucessful AIESEC- a true force for global change. And I offer you my heart, which beats with the pulse of humanity, as do each of yours.

AIESEC, be this the dawn, or the sunset, I thank you for helping me discovery what lies within each of us."

3 hours after closing this speech, I found out that it was to be a sunset. Like all the wonderful things in life, my AIESEC experience felt like it would be forever, until I found out it was nearly over. I have 5 months ahead of me to experience the best job in the world to the fullest. I will travel across the world, learn and teach from some of the brightest young minds, and give what I can. On July 31st 2005 AIESEC and I will move in different directions- but we have changed each other deeply in the last 6 years and neither will ever be the same again.

Larry on AIESEC

"I have spent more time with AIESEC International than any other. AIESEC is a great organization, formed after WWII to promote international understanding. It is entirely student run. That statement requires some reflection. This organization of about thirty thousand students in 87 different countries has survived for more than fifty years without any professional, adult, management. Each year the local chapters on university campuses elect a leadership team, then a national leadership team is elected, and there is a once a year international conference at which they elect a new global President and leadership team. So, every year, a new group of young men and woman, in their early twenties, move to Rotterdam and provide coordination and leadership to this global organization. For the past five years I have been their “change management” consultant as they have redefined “The AIESEC Experience” as a life-long learning process and designed all the necessary processes, structures, systems, etc.

Every organization is unique and presents its own challenges. Needless to say, AIESEC was challenging, unique, and a lot of fun to work with. I won’t bore you with all of my other adventures, but they include serving on the board of small university in Switzerland, born of great ideas and dedication, but lacking any viable business model. I was drawn into a half time job (no pay!) in Switzerland, working to rescue this poor child. But, I am afraid the finances were beyond repair." Larry Miller