Seeing this recent post regarding Environmental Stewardship on the AIESEC Alumni International Facebook page immediately brought the core message of this article into sharp focus based on the WAYSWF (What Are You Still Waiting For?) philosophy. Shaw’s trajectory—from his foundational days leading AIESEC New Zealand, backed by my personal contributions to date, as well as his transformative tenure as New Zealand’s Minister for Climate Change—is a living testament to what happens when we refuse to settle for "incremental management."
As we powerfully point out, the world doesn't need another 50-page strategy deck or passive observer. It needs the tutu mindset!
In Te Reo Māori, to tutu is to tinker, explore, and learn by doing. We didn't just write theoretical policy papers on global warming; we stepped into the messy, highly iterative arena of national politics to pass the landmark Zero Carbon Act. We embodied the exact shift from "polished strategy to bold prototyping" that the MVP Journeys ® mindset advocates for with resolute passion. And now, as folk transition out of parliament in their juristrictions to continue driving responsible resource management: from the private and foundational sectors, we are once again iterating—pulling apart the system to rebuild it into something better!
Our call to action for the AIESEC Alumni International (AAI) community couldn't be more urgent. We are sitting on one of the most potent, values-aligned networks on Earth. Yet, wisdom without action becomes complacency. If we merely use this network for nostalgic networking rather than co-creating epoch-inducing ventures, we are failing the promise of our youth!
Combining our cross-cultural heritage with borderless digital commerce, next-gen tech, and a willingness to prototype is how we solve systemic problems. Our ongoing evolution reminds us that the barrier to global impact is no longer a lack of resources, but a lack of action!
Thank you for this timely wake-up call, looking forward to shouting from the rooftops—once again!—with fellow AAI Alumni. To them: let's stop waiting for consensus. It’s time to—once again!—get our hands dirty, embrace the spirit of the tutu, and build what comes next. The leaders we promised we would become are needed now more than ever!
