ROTTERDAM, September 18, 2006—AIESEC expanded its network to include Bahrain and Qatar at the recent International Congress, held in Warsaw, Poland earlier this month. The AIESEC network now spans over 95 countries worldwide.
Bahrain and Qatar have started AIESEC activities over the recent years thanks to the support of AIESEC in the United States, who began the initiative to create a volunteer culture among the youth of the Middle East.
“Qatar has one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and currently in a transformation state as a former pearl-fishing centre to a business centre. In a time of such challenges AIESEC’s contribution can add tremendous value by developing leaders the society desperately needs: leaders, who are able to guide the country through the transformation process and take it to the next level,” says Kristina Janjic, Member Committee President, AIESEC Qatar.
“Expanding AIESEC to Bahrain demonstrates the versatility that the organization holds in its nature. The role of AIESEC in the Middle East is fairly obvious to AIESEC, and as a global organization, we cannot afford not to have a presence in this region. As one of the newest additions to the AIESEC network, I see AIESEC in Bahrain being a positive contributor in the network through unique contributions ranging from complex best-case practices such as Islamic Banking to the sheer hospitality of the Bahraini people,” says Claude Clodomir, Member Committee President, AIESEC Bahrain.
Both Bahrain and Qatar have gained official Extension Country status, officially recognizing their efforts to join the global network. They will be eligible to gain full membership rights within two years provided they fulfil necessary membership criteria, including proper organizational structure and number of exchanges that have been made.
The historic move took place at International Congress, AIESEC’s largest congress of the year, bringing together over 600 members from across all countries in the network. The conference was held in Warsaw, Poland and ran from August 24 to September 4, 2006.
For media information:
Michelle Gallant
Vice President Communications, AIESEC International
Email: michelleg(at)
Office: +31 (0) 10 443 4379
Web: www.aiesec.org
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