I am a proud alumnus of AIESEC, the world's largest international student-run organization. My time in the organization allowed for some extraordinary opportunities and challenges, one of which was my continued engagement with AIESEC's Iranian chapter.

Self-Development in Demand

Compared to Western countries, access to a diverse, international team of young facilitators is more scarce - and hence more valued - in Iran. I had the opportunity to equip a broad audience of young leaders from 18 to 38 with a bouquet of skills suited for their current learning needs:

• Entrepreneurial Coaching:

  We provided young Iranian startup teams with core leadership and communication skills as well as an extended course 'entrepreneurial operations' based on E. Ries' Lean Startup Framework.

• Managerial Training:

  We provided courses for middle and upper management of established organizations.

• Leadership Development:

  We provided an experiental learning environment for young student activists to nurture their leadership potential.

My Roles

I initially contributed as a facilitator in 2015 and then was given the opportunity to return several times in the role of manager of the trainers team and leader of the macro-design of larger events.

Self Development in a Complicated Environment

The underlying belief system of (healthy) self development nudges individuals strongly towards self-realization and authenticity: We try to reach the underlying and full human being, not one cross-sectional aspect like the 'mother' or 'manager'.

This is a difficult tenet to follow in contemporary, theocratic Iran: The more one is required to act, look, and dress a certain way, the larger the risk of self-expression becoming counterintuitive. I had the opportunity to design learning spaces ballancing the tight-rope act between what is aligned with our mission of authentic change and what is allowed.

Eventually, AIESEC in Iran was disbanded by government authorities. I am grateful I had the opportunity to leave a lasting impact in such a challenging and rewarding environment.