Bandung, 16th July 2025 —Leadership and making a difference have always been part of AIESEC. Since it started, AIESEC has believed that every young person can be a changemaker—a leader who helps the world in a good way. This idea came to life at the Bandung Youth Leadership Conference (BYLC) 2025. This is a yearly conference by AIESEC in Bandung that helps young people grow as leaders through fun learning and meeting new people.
This year’s event happened on June 8–9, 2025, at Pasar Baru Square Hotel, Bandung. Its theme was “Unlock the Magic of Leadership and Impact”, inspired by the famous Harry Potter stories. With the motto “Leaders Who Lead with Heart and Vision,” BYLC invited people (delegates) to start a special journey. It was full of feelings, growth, teamwork, and learning about themselves. Want to know how the magic happened? Keep reading!
Opening the Doors to BYLC 2025
From the moment delegates walked in, they heard a warm cheer: “Welcome Home!” This is a special welcome at AIESEC in Bandung’s local conferences. This kind greeting showed every delegate that they had found a safe place where they could grow, connect, and feel like they belonged.
The conference officially began with the Opening Plenary, led by Elliana. She was the main person for BYLC 2025 and the head of AIESEC in Bandung in 2023. She gave an energetic and inspiring welcome speech. This speech set the stage for what the conference was all about and its main ideas.
Opening Plenary led by Elliana (Source: AIESEC Internal Use Only)
Finding Your Purpose and Values
The first session was called “Why AIESEC Exists: Living Our Purpose, Leading with Values.” It looked deep into why AIESEC started, its main ideas (Golden Circle), and its core values. Delegates learned about AIESEC’s goal and how the group helps young people make a positive impact. Also, this session encouraged them to think about their own values and what they wanted to achieve in life.
A Magical Journey Through Leadership and Impact
Taking ideas from the Harry Potter world, the next session was “The Chamber of Portfolios: Unlocking AIESEC in Bandung’s Magic of Impact.” It helped delegates see how AIESEC in Bandung works inside. They learned about the group’s big goals for 2025 and 2030 and got to know AIESEC in Bandung’s different programs. Delegates imagined how they could make a difference, both alone and with others.
Then, “House Cup Glory” brought the fun of Hogwarts to BYLC. Delegates played exciting and creative games. These activities built team spirit and gave them energy for the next sessions.
Leadership isn’t just about leading others. It’s also about leading yourself first. In the session “The Leadership of Spellbook: Unlocking Your Inner Dumbledore,” delegates learned more about what it means to be a leader. The Executive Board (EB) of AIESEC in Bandung shared their own stories. They talked about their struggles, big successes, and how they grew during their time in AIESEC.
Also, the session “Hogwarts Tools: Mastering Spells for Smarter Time and Task Management” gave useful ways to manage time and tasks. Delegates practiced using tools, calendars, and ways to decide what’s most important. This helped them grow as student leaders.
A Night of Connection and Celebration
The first day ended with an inspiring Evening Plenary. After that came the most awaited event: the CC Party! In this magical party, delegates became wizards and witches. They showed off their Harry Potter outfits in a fashion show, played fun games, and ended the night singing together under colorful lights. It was a night full of happiness, laughter, and memories they won’t forget.
Night full of happiness (Source: AIESEC Internal Use Only)
Rising with Purpose on Day Two
The second day started with a “Morning Plenary” and a special session called “Time to Rise: The Phoenix Awakens.” In this session, AIESEC in Bandung shared its story of how it grew strong again, like a phoenix, after facing problems and doubts. Delegates also met AIESEC in Bandung’s special animal, the Phoenix, which stands for strength, new beginnings, and hope.
Next was the session “Wizard in Unity: How AIESEC Works as One.” AIESEC has many different parts, teams, and people, which can seem complicated. This session helped connect these parts by showing what each team does. Because of this, delegates understood each other better and learned how to work together more easily.
To make the leaders feel more like friends, the session “From Muggle to Master: Get to Know Your EBs” let delegates talk closely with the Executive Board. Through games and sharing stories, delegates learned about the EBs beyond their official roles. This built stronger bonds based on understanding and friendship.
Creating memories together (Source: AIESEC Internal Use Only)
Celebrating Growth and Memories
Before the conference ended, BYLC honored outstanding delegates in a heartfelt Awards session. The event finished with a touching Closing Plenary by the Chair, Elliana. Her words were full of deep thoughts, thanks, and shared love. This final moment made BYLC 2025 a truly special end, with many saying it changed their lives and touched their hearts.
Their Thoughts on BYLC 2025
“BYLC was super fun! The whole event was really exciting, and I learned so much. Even simple things, like realizing that WE matter in AIESEC, that we’re as important as everyone else here. You could say, in BYLC you feel heard and seen. It’s such a unique experience! Would I join BYLC again? I WOULD 10/10. Thank you CCs for making such an amazing event ^^”
— A BYLC 2025 Delegate“I gained a LOT, especially about how AIESEC works and what AIESEC is from different perspectives. It was really fun and a cool place to expand my network within my own LC. This event helped me to improve my leadership skills because the experience given by the EBs can help me to determine my next step.”
— Another BYLC Delegate
Meaningful connection between members (Source: AIESEC Internal Use Only)
BYLC 2025 was not just a conference. It was a deeply emotional and empowering journey. The experience united joy, reflection, vulnerability, growth, and connection in one beautiful package. From the CCs to the delegates, from the Chair to the Facilitators, everyone walked away with a renewed sense of purpose, pride, and a heart full of memories.
(dyo/wlm)
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