KUWAIT: In the middle of an international AIESEC conference in Malta, Maysoon Al-Attar witnessed what she described as, "a movie-like scene.” In front of 200 people from diverse backgrounds, a girl from the US and another from Oman walked slowly toward each other, and, in an unexpected move, they embraced. The American girl then openly declared: "I want to apologize for the years I was so racist toward Arabs.”
At that moment, Attar — now the president of AIESEC’s Kuwait chapter — thought: "AIESEC needs to exist in Kuwait.” After observing how the organization transformed the perception of a girl who had once refrained from engaging with Arabs but eventually became best friends with one, she envisioned AIESEC’s noble purpose resonating with Kuwait’s diverse population.
Established in Kuwait in 2013, and revived in 2023 after a hiatus, AIESEC is a global youth organization dedicated to leadership development and cross-cultural exchange programs, welcoming citizens and expats aged 18 to 30. Existing today in 105 countries, it was initially born out of World War II, with the vision of peace and fulfillment of humanity’s potential.
Attar explained that the idea behind AIESEC addresses a crucial question: "How do we create leaders who embody the values our world needs, rooted in cross-cultural understanding?” In AIESEC’s cultural exchange programs, participants can join as global volunteers, interns, or teachers, spending a minimum of six weeks in a country of their choice.
According to Attar, this experience is vital for developing a culturally open mindset. "Racism and stereotypes aren’t truths, but they stem from somewhere,” she explained. "The best way to understand why people hold certain biases is to live among them.” This setting fosters genuine discussion, offering everyone the chance to reflect meaningfully on their own and others’ cultures. Attar also highlighted that the program is designed to maximize young people’s potential, challenge ingrained beliefs, and push them out of their comfort zones. "We don’t promise a five-star experience,” she said, "but we do promise a challenging one.”
To survive it, Attar believes, you must see yourself as part of the local community, an insight she gained during her time in Mozambique. Just outside her dorm, she met three children each day who, in their own way, taught her to perceive life away from material attachments. "In tattered clothes and barefoot, they would close the lid of a garbage bin, sit on top, and dance as if they were having the time of their lives,” she recalled.
After facilitating approximately 106 exchanges through AIESEC to various African countries, throughout the Middle East, and to some parts of other continents like Asia and North America, she believes AISEC has made "opportunities much more accessible” for people in Kuwait. Attar noted that the youth began to envision their futures beyond the boundaries of Kuwait. "All of a sudden, something that feels so big and so far, is just a step away,” she added. Even for delegates who eventually return to Kuwait, the creativity gained from these experiences proves invaluable. "When you work in different countries and meet diverse people, your mind starts to draw ideas from various sources and combine them in your own way. This process leads to unique ideas that can propel the country forward.”
AIESEC’s internal training program equally shapes today’s youth by allowing members to progress through various departments — like finance, marketing, and more — while acquiring higher positions each year. It’s entirely normal to see 18-year-olds managing entire events on their own. "It’s rare to be in a place that believes in your potential with zero experience,” said Attar, remembering the first question she was asked upon joining: "Putting money aside, what legacy do you want to leave?” It took her nearly four years to find an answer, but without being asked in the first place, she wonders if she’d ever have taken this path, pushing for developing Kuwait and leaving a lasting impact on the world.