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IAESTE ANNUAL REVIEW 2009
The Plenary Sessions were busy affairs with new Full and
Associate Members welcomed into the Association. Ecuador,
Iran and Sierra Leone brought the number of Full Members in
IAESTE to 59, while Panama became an Associate Member.
For the first time since the establishment of IAESTE A.s.b.l.
in Colombia 2005, the Members discussed and agreed
upon changes to the Statutes and By-Laws. The IAESTE
Ombudsman, Professor Bernardo Herold, presented his
report to the Conference and stated that in 2008 he had seen
a slight increase in the number of student complaints which he
had to deal with. However 10 cases out of 4579 shows a great
success for the quality of the services which IAESTE offers.
The Welcome Dinner was held
in a traditional Polish restaurant
near the Conference Hotel
and included performances by
dancers in national costume
as well as fine Polish cuisine.
The 50 th Anniversary of IAESTE
Poland celebrations, which were
held at the Warsaw University
of Technology on the Sunday evening, included speeches by
representatives of IAESTE Poland and Anniversary greetings.
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The International evening was held at a student club at the
Technical University on the Monday evening. In addition to the
meal provided by IAESTE Poland, national food and drink from
around the world were enjoyed by everyone. A highlight of the
evening was the demonstration of Polish wedding traditions and
dancing.
A total of 7427 Offers of internships were brought to the Exchange
Sessions, 14 less than last year but quite impressive given the
prevailing economic climate and some Members managed to
exchange with over 60 countries in the five days available.
As required under the IAESTE Statutes, Mr Goran Radnović,
IAESTE Serbia and Mr Gerhard Gevelmann, IAESTE Germany
retired as Members of the Board, having completed their terms
of office. Board Member Mr Javier Yarza, IAESTE Mexico
announced his resignation from the Board to pursue public life
in his own country and we wish him well in his new career. Mr
Guenter Mueller-Graetschel, IAESTE
Germany and Ms Desanka Ichitrajkova,
IAESTE F.Y.R. Macedonia were elected
for three years and one year respectively.
Mr Thomas Faltner, IAESTE Austria,
replaced Mr Yarza on the Board for 2009.
Mr Goran Radnović, IAESTE Serbia was
elected as General Secretary for the
period 2010-2012.
During the Conference IAESTE Poland offered delegates several
social events. The traditional housewarming party on arrival
enabled participants the chance to renew acquaintances and
meet new people attending the Conference for the first time.
On Tuesday afternoon, delegates were taken on a sightseeing tour
of Warsaw which focused on the city’s history and architecture.
The importance of Krakow and the history of Poland were also
explained.
The Gala Dinner was held at the
Warsaw University of Technology
on the Wednesday evening,
which included Polish cuisine
and dancing and participants
had an opportunity to say
farewell informally before the
conclusion of the Conference on
the Thursday afternoon.
The General Secretary, Mrs Pauline Ferguson, thanked IAESTE
Poland for their efforts during the Conference and presented
gifts to mark the occasion.