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IAESTE Mexico
Twentieth Anniversary Year
The winter dawn by the Bosphorus in early
1985 slowly gave way to another busy day. The
morning prayers that were heard all over the
city had faded away for quite some time now.
Perhaps a day like any other for many people
but for a young Mexican in his early twenties
visiting this wonderful place, it was a very
special day. In fact, he had great anticipation
for the day’s events that were about to unfold.
That day the General Conference was to
consider his newly formed Association in
Mexico as a Member of IAESTE. He was one of
the youngest persons present and he was about
to address the Conference.
In another corner of the world a group of
people also in their early twenties, were as
expectant as he was, conscious of the
responsibility of having the support of three
Mexican Universities and a couple of pioneer
Companies. Though not fully aware of what it
would entail, this group of young Mexicans
were excited to take the lead on international
mobility for university students in their
country. With great anticipation they were
awaiting the news from the only person they
could afford to send to the General
Conference... As it turned out, the vote was
“yes” and their organisation became IAESTE
Mexico, the 41st Member of IAESTE.
This is a familiar experience for most people
who have gone through this same process in
the Annual Conference. Anticipation.
Excitement. Expectation. The interaction of
people from all over the world, focused,
enthusiastic, willing to accomplish a successful
exchange to start the whole year’s work,
produces a unique environment of ideal global
awareness and presence. This was IAESTE
Mexico’s beginning.
Over the years the deeper and higher ideals
that motivated the formation of IAESTE Mexico
gradually began to bear fruits. The presence of
IAESTE at a national level turned into a
tangible benefit to society as a whole. As
trainees brought a fresh perspective to the
everyday activities in the receiving Companies
and the returning trainees demonstrated a clear
advantage by following enriched career paths,
the IAESTE experience became a recognised
element in personal success stories. And as an
NGO, providing a specific resource for
development of professionals, IAESTE Mexico
supported sectors of government that were
truly committed to a highly communicated,
multicultural world.
This year we proudly reach our 20th
anniversary in IAESTE. Over this period of time
more than 500 Companies and organisations
all over Mexico have participated in the
exchange programme, in which all the Higher
Education Institutions of superior standing in
Mexico have participated and have witnessed
the benefits of international practical training
for their students. Together with its national
parent organisation -Asociación Mexicana de
Intercambio Práctico Profesional, or AMIPP,
IAESTE Mexico has reached today an
undisputed leadership position and reputation
in the field of international mobility for young
professionals. We have actively taken part in
major IAESTE international events, from setting
up a National Committee to hosting a General
Conference and, most recently, conducting
international assignments. Not only has it been
a worthy effort, but a highly rewarding one as
well for all the people that have participated.
The future ahead brings challenges of a
different nature than the ones we faced twenty
years ago. We are now living in a borderless
world. No more East-West antagonisms. Instant
communication between people in any part of
the globe. Business opportunities no longer
confined to a place where physical mobility
and availability exclude each other; but among
professionals of all nationalities around the
world independent of where these
opportunities arise. IAESTE Mexico’s ultimate
challenge for the next twenty years is to
continue offering a sustainable option for the
development of world-class professionals under
this new global environment and, at the same
time, serve the community as a whole by
opening alternatives for
better understanding and
goodwill among people
of all nationalities. We
are looking forward to
taking on the challenge.
Javier Yarza
National Secretary,
IAESTE Mexico
Annual Conference, Mexico City 1994
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