AXLDS 2006 in Colombia

AXLDS 2006 (Americas Xpro and Leadeship Development Seminar took place last march (24-31). As the title of this post says, it was my last international conference as a member of AIESEC taking responsibility and having a leadership role. For those who find quite strange the fact that I say"member of AIESEC taking responsibility and having a leadership role", for your information being a trainee and the period before officially becoming a alumnus of the organization are stages where you are still an AIESEC member. Whatever ... let's focus again in the conference.

The conference in all senses had a deep and special meaning for me:

• It was hoested by AIESEC in Colombia - my home country and where I started my AIESEC career
• It was in a town called Melgar, actually the twon where my first national congress in Colombia was held
• For any AI director, it's a big project and a big dream to finally deliver our own regional conference - for me was AXLDS
• AIESEC in Colombia won the regional Philips Awards - our regioal yearly recognition for progression in performance
• First SSGN Alumni Congress, paralell to the conference
• Me leaving, my sister flourishing in terms of AIESEC career, she was also there!

AIESEC in Colombia MC members

It was a conference that totally raised the standards in terms of SSGN - an absolutely well organized external forum on Socially Responsible Leadership, wher even the President of Colombia was present! and an internal (AIESEC content) improved agenda facilitated by high calibre facilitators; those were - Juan (CAS), Gabi (Brazil), Johanna and Rita (SSGN Board), Elias (Brazil and SSGN Board), Cristina (Ecuador), Kike (Venezuela) and Davo (Peru). And of course last but not least Brodie - amazing to have the PAI present.

I won't deny how tired I was extremely tired many times, missed a good number of parties and as usual, we sort of stress for small details, but I also can't deny that I have never enjoyed most seeing my people and trying to take with me forever, all these faces that in won't be able to see in a long time. My LCPs (the next pictures are all with LCPs) were my favorites, we had a very good set of LCPs at the conference, some of them absolutely hilarious.

COLOMBIA ES PASION: I think that was the biggest brainwash (but actually a real and wonderful one!) that each delegate of the conference had ... we counted with top colombian organizations specialized in the theme of country brand (in this case Colombia brand!) to help us creating the atmosphere and demonstrate to internationals what they have been missing. It was simply very inspiring - I am amazed to see how many delegates have been blogging, mailing, talking and even going on a atraineeship to Colombia after AXLDS 2006.

As I said in the conference itsef through speech and action: thanks for making my year. AIESEC one more time did its thing: made me reinforce one more time my desire to make change in Latin America, if inside the AIESEC bubble we are doing it, we also can do it the real playground.

I did not take may pictures, but of you click of the few I haved posted here, you also will get to see couple more that are on my flickr ... anyways, some delegates have shared with me some links where you also can find their photos, if interested.

http://photos.yahoo.com/jpospina, http://www.axlds2006.fotopic.net/,

http://community.webshots.com/album/549562896XFQEDb