Paraguay is a landlocked country in South Americabordering Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil. The country isrich in natural resources: the world's largest drinkingwater reservoir is beneath its soil, the biggesthydroelectric producer – The Itaipú Dam – is on its borderwith Brazil. It's also the world's fifth largest exporter ofsoya beans, as well as a renowned producer of beef.

Despite this, it is one of the poorest countries in SouthAmerica and have strong social issues such as a bigsocial disparity amongst its people. The current realityof the country is largely based upon political uncertaintyand economic hardship - since the early 1980s, Paraguayhas been making the difficult transition to a more modernmarket economy. While the capital Asunción is filled withnew economic prospects and construction, much of thecountry remains underdeveloped, consisting of deficientinfrastructure. Corruption here is ubiquitous comparedto neighboring Bolivia, Brazil and Argentina.

In recent years, though, economic wellbeing has beenreported and democratic elections have been taking placewith little to no uncertain events – Paraguay is facing ahuge development, the second GDP growth in the world.

Paraguayan people are known for their hospitality and warmth, and foreigners are very welcomearound here. One habit of the Paraguayans is to offer foreigners “Tereré”, an ancient coldbeverage that is served in a horn, with a metal straw, and represents a lot of the sense offriendship and hospitality of the country.

Paraguayans are a clever people, and you can only fully comprehend their wit when learningGuarani, one of the official languages of the country (other than Spanish). Most of the time theyspeak what is called “Jopará”, a mix of Guarani and Spanish, which they are happy to teach thosewho don’t know.

A relatively new country in AIESEC, the history of AIESEC inParaguay is still short but full of passion, strenght andvictories.

In January 9th of 2012 a few entrepreneurs and corageousAIESECers left their homes heading to a different country abuild a dream with their own hands - the first MC Team ofAIESEC in Paraguay. Three Brazilian and one Italian beingsupported by AIESEC in Brazil composed the team andarrived in Asunción, Paraguay, moving from a wellestablished reality of the organization to a place wherenobody had never even heard about. No name, no visibility,no LCs, no members, no partners, no TN Takers, notrasition, but also no limitation.The first step was finishing the Feasibility Study andapplying as Official Extension in IPM 2012. With this missionaccomplished, the four people team moved on torecruitment and corporate sales phases.

Inspired by having the opportunity to light a sparkle thatmay become a mighty flame in the future, MC Ignite focusedon building basis and pillars for the development of astrong organization. In this story, the meaning of wordssuch as "results" and "achievements" go far beyond of anumber of exchanges. The construction of a whole conceptin a new country made them overcome big challenges in atotally uncommon experience.

Some months later, a new MC team was elected and, inJuly of 2013, the Thrive term started. With one moreperson on board, this time the focus was aboutenhancing what was done, ensuring the safety of thebasis and guaranteeing a future for it, with a lot ofcreation, expansion and lives being changed.

Brand recognition was being built and there was a certain„buzz” around AIESEC existance in Paraguay amongstudents mostly. The MC team managed to organizethree editions of Youth To Business Forum which turnedout to generate a lot of interst among paraguayan youth.Initiating such events also resulted in new organizationalpartnerships which were a huge support in enhancingexchange operations.

The entity grew mostly in GCDP. The second summerrecruitment for oGCDP resulted in more than 20 liveschanged and iGCDP area brought Paraguay closer toalmost 10 incoming exchange participants.

Two MC terms past but it still wasn’t enough to find thebest way of operating on the paraguayan market.

Two MC terms past but it still wasn’t enough to find the best way of operating on theparaguayan market. This was the main challenge for MC Movida of 14/15 term.

They started their term basing most of the activities of their predecessors. But what seemedso clear and obvious in the end turned out to be a little more blurry. What was good thoughwas that the team was constantly learning and getting valuable insights from the market.

The second part of 14/15 is going to pass under the focus on BD/iGIP since there is aconsiderable market potential for that program in Paraguay. The keyword for MC Movida is„pipeline”. They know the value of it and are doing everything they can to leave the next teamthe proper basis to scale up the impact in Paraguay. They want to build the operational andmarket know-how so that by the end of therm is financially sustainable and recognizableamong the most important stakeholders.

4 editions of Y2Bdelivered (average 200participants)

50 members

Currently (14/15 term): 22oGCDP RA, 2 oGIP RA, 2iGIP RA, 18 iGCDP RA

One LC (Asuncion) andtwo expansion initiatives(UCA, Encarnacion)

Presence at 9 major universities in Paraguay

2 active institutionalpartnerships

12.13 13.14 14.15*

GCDP OGX

Open 16 36 50

Match 5 21 45

In Progress 18 15 40

GCDP ICX

Open 15 27 30

Match 7 5 20

In Progress 7 8 20

GIP OGX

Open 2 7 25

Match 2 1 20

In Progress 1 2 20

GIP ICX

Open 1 2 25

Match 2 2 20

In Progress 1 2 10

* The numbers for 14.15 are the planned

As an Official Extension which was recently born, being MC inParaguay is an unconventional and rewarding experience. It isimportant to understand how MC Movida has been working sofar in order to get a better perspective of the role of the MCTeam 15-16.AIESEC in Paraguay, until a few months ago, was summarizedin one LC, and that has good and bad implications at the sametime. From one side it is everything faster, closer, easier andmore flexible in comparison to a big entity with several LCs. Onthe other hand it is also a big risk. If there is a small problemor a detail inside the LC, the whole country feels it andfinancial sustainability can be in danger in this sense. Becauseof this reality, the MC works really close to the LC and allmembers, coaching the EB, tracking LCVPs, giving directions,managing communications and executing operations with theirown hands as well. It is not rare the day we go out to makeinterviews, run meetings with members, do sales or delivertraining to members.Also, not only supporting and cooperating with the LC , the MCTeam develops and executes other projects to increase thestrength of the network. In terms of operations, the MC runs allGIP programs on its own. This way the LC can master themanagement and delivery of GCDP programs, whilst the MCcan achieve financial sustainability by delivering oGIP and iGIPprograms.Therefore do expect a good amount of operational work andremember the times you were in your LC in multiples situations.We do it, we love it and it works.

On the other hand the MC also needs to work on strategies,broader direction and steps, administration affairs,international cooperation's, national positioning and visibility,and other things that some people would call “MC stuff”.

So the role dynamics of the MC in Paraguay is a balancebetween strategic and operational work with some gooddoses of “unpredictableness” that makes things alwaysmore fun. You can expect to live a start up reality,sometimes acting besides or with the LC, sometimesdeveloping and executing other projects to increase thestrength of the network.

A start-up has also a special "feature", which is thepossibility to create, to build things, to give life to ideasmore than ever. Going deeper in this reality we realize thatmore than a simple possibility or opportunity for the MCPto create, build and innovate, it is a necessity. And that is areally BIG DEAL for a young leader who seeks ways toimpact, to build, to leave a mark, to change things.

A piece of advice: although this MC experience may be abit different than an "average" one, it does not mean it isnot awesome. In fact, this experience gives you theopportunity to work on a national level but still having avery close contact with all the members of the network anda strong influence in the direction and results of theorganization.

Official Term Dates1st July 2015 – 30th June 2016

TransitionMC transition requires a lot of effort and time. The periodstarts virtually immediately after election in March of 2015 andcontinues this way until the physical arrival in Asuncion. Thecontent and the flow of the transition is managed by the MCPelect and the current MC team of AIESEC in Paraguay.IMPORTANT: Physical presence of the MCVP’s will be required inAsunción starting from the June 1st 2015.

Transition conditions and costsAccommodation will be provided in the MC Flat.The following individual costs will not be covered duringtransition: flight tickets to Paraguay, food, internaltransportation, personal costs.The first MC salary will be paid in July, the first official monthof the term.

WorkloadWoking days: from Monday to Friday, 8 hours a day. The MC isa full commitment experience in Paraguay, as a full-time joband involvement in different activities that also happen duringweekends.MC will work an average of 40 hours per week which can behigher during differente periods of the year. Team Days, LCevents and conferences are commonly realized on weekends.

Working ConditionsCurrently the MC now has na office separated from the MCflat, 20 minutes away by bus. The MC flat is big and equippedwith internet wireless, scanner and all the minimal structureneeded. Starting from February 2015 AIESEC in Paraguay MCmembers are required to bring their own laptops, or be readyto purchase one here at their own cost.

MC FlatIt is very well located, in the center of Asunción, whereeverything that is needed is nearby. It also has plenty of spaceand it is close to the main historical sites of Asunción and theAvenida Costanera, a very beautiful and pleasant place wherepeople go to spend their Sundays with family and friends,that’s is just 20 minutes alway by walking.

Salary- The salary of every MC member equals 500.000 PYG (around125 USD) monthly.- Expenses of MC Flat such as rent and utilities (water,electricity, internet, etc.) are covered by the MC budget.- The montlhy compensation is the same for everyone in theMC Team and it can fluctuate according to the MC financialcapacity.- It is calculated to be sufficient to meet the minimum livingrequirement, assuming that you keep rigid control over theexpenses.

This will be the fourth MC team of an AIESEC country, and it means, at least, a big challenge aheadof us and an intense journey as a team. Therefore, there are a few things that are important to bealigned if you want to move on with the application.

#1 This is Sparta

Please, kindly invite your comfort zone to stay in your home country and fire up your passion forthis experience. Even though financial sustainability for MC members is a priority, living conditionsmay not present either luxury or too much comfort.

#2 Be ready for changes

Assuming that many things are still new in AIESEC inParaguay, do expect that plans will change. There isalready some historical data regarding the previousterms and a lot of people we already know here butstill that are many things that will be discovered on theway and different opportunities or threats will appear.Of course it doesn't mean that you don't have to plan orstick to your goals, rather it means that you have tothink even more and be flexible to changes that areneeded and inevitable.

#3 Team work as a key factor

According to job descriptions, each one will have different responsibilities. However this will be asmall team with a special condition. Everyone is supposed to support each other and to be wiseregarding priorities of the team. In fact, job descriptions may change as other changes take place.

#4 What has to be done has to be done

Considering that a lot has still to be set and that there the network of AIESEC in Paraguay is small,this MC experience won't be exclusively strategic work, but for many things you will have to roll upyour sleeves and do everything with your own nails and teeth.

#5 Be ready for impact

Your decisions, ideas, actions and behaviors have a strong possibility to define and influence howthis organization will be in the future. Organizational culture will be strongly influenced by your ownvalues and beliefs and if you and all the team do a good job, generations and more generations willkeep chasing the same shared dream once you had, generations and more generations will developthemselves and achieve their goals on this journey even after you leave this organization.

All of this because once you decided to step forward from the crowd and make the difference. Well,all of this is, in fact, the magic behind this opportunity. If all of this just makes you feel even moreexcited, go ahead.

Global Steering TeamMeetingOutputhttp://hamzamerzguioui.wix.com/steeringteammeeting

IC 2014 Outputhttps://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B5HU8WpYTvrVUURtSk04dEpTUTg&usp=sharing

AI 14/15 report from Q3 2014http://live.myaiesec.net/ai-report-q3/

Live Myaiesec Nethttp://live.myaiesec.net/expa/#show

GIS & EXPA resource hubhttp://www.aies.ec/#landing

IGN Summit Outputhttps://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0By3NZ7IZTDgtMzlSdU5Pb0pDQ3M&usp=sharing

Official fanpage of AIESEC in Paraguayhttps://www.facebook.com/aiesecparaguay?fref=ts

Official fanpage of MC in Paraguayhttps://www.facebook.com/mcparaguay?fref=ts

Culture in Paraguayhttp://bit.ly/paraguay_culture

Ana PassaporteMCP Elect

ana.passaporte@aiesec.net

Skype: ana.passaporte

Facebook: ana.passaporte

Phone: (+351) 914545047

Grzegorz KłudczyńskiMCP 14.15

grzegorz.kludczynski@aiesec.net

Zineb El oulladiMCVP TM

zineb.eloulladi@aiesec.net

Lucas FortiniMCVP oGCDP

lucas.fortini@aiesec.net

Angelika ŁykoMCVP BD & COMM

angelika.lyko@aiesec.net

Niema HajjamiMCVP iGCDP

niema.hajjami@aiesec.net

Louise MuiMCVP oGIP

louise.mui@aiesec.net

Gaby LarreaLCVP TM 2014

LCP 2015

Gabriela.larrea@aiesec.net+595 981 601 331

Nicolas CaneseLCVP iGCDP 2015

nicolas.canese@aiesec.net+595 985 938 701

Romina AgueroLCVP iGCDP 2014

romina.aguero@aiesec.net+595 981 165 259

Jean BoissacLCP 2014

jean.boissac@aiesec.net+595 991 266 526

Chio ArambuloLCVP oGCDP 2015

chio.arambulo@aiesec.net+595 981 682 343

Vane ServianLCVP TM 2015

vanessa.servian@aiesec.net+595 983 434 465

We really advise you to contact the LCP and LCVPs not only by e-mail but also on WhatsApp as usually is’t the most efficient method for communication in Paraguay