Junior Chamber International, commonly referred to as JCI, is a

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

international non-governmental organization An international non-governmental organization (INGO) is an organization which is independent of government involvement and extends the concept of a non-governmental organization (NGO) to an international scope. NGOs are independent of government ...

of young people between and years old. It has members in about 124 countries, and regional or national organizations in most of them. The first local Junior Chamber chapter was founded in 1915, but the international umbrella organization Junior Chamber International (JCI) was founded in Mexico in 1944. It has consultative status with the

Council of Europe The Council of Europe (CoE; french: Conseil de l'Europe, ) is an international organisation founded in the wake of World War II to uphold European Convention on Human Rights, human rights, democracy and the Law in Europe, rule of law in Europe. ...

, with the

Economic and Social Council of the United Nations The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC; french: links=no, Conseil économique et social des Nations unies, ) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, responsible for coordinating the economic and social fields ...

and with

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...

. It encourages young people to become active citizens and to participate in efforts towards

social Social organisms, including human(s), live collectively in interacting populations. This interaction is considered social whether they are aware of it or not, and whether the exchange is voluntary or not. Etymology The word "social" derives from ...

and

economic development In the economics study of the public sector, economic and social development is the process by which the economic well-being and quality of life of a nation, region, local community, or an individual are improved according to targeted goals and o ...

, and

international cooperation In international relations, multilateralism refers to an alliance of multiple countries pursuing a common goal. Definitions Multilateralism, in the form of membership in international institutions, serves to bind powerful nations, discourage u ...

, good-will and understanding.

History

By the age of 18, Henry Giessenbier Jr. had formed the Herculaneum Dance Club, a social outlet for the community's youth. On October 13, 1915, the first JCI Movement was founded when 32 men joined to form the Young Men's Progressive Civic Association (YMPCA) at the Mission Inn located in their hometown of St. Louis, USA. The Young Men's Progressive Civic Association members received acknowledgement from the broader community, however on November 30, 1915 official recognition of the organization was granted after enrolling as a member of the Mayor's Conference of Civic Organizations. One year later, the YMPCA became known as the Junior Citizens and soon the

Junior Chamber of Commerce The United States Junior Chamber, also known as the Jaycees, JCs or JCI USA, is a leadership training, service organization and civic organization for people between the ages of 18 and 40. It is a branch of Junior Chamber International (JCI). ...

, after affiliating with the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce. On December 11, 1944, an Inter-American Congress was held in Mexico City. Representatives from the United States, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama gathered to officially establish Henry Giessenbier's 24-year-old civic association as an international organization, Junior Chamber International. In 2015 the organization celebrated its 100th anniversary.

Activities

The local organizations are referred to as Local Organization Members (LOM) with a local board, and it is at the local level that most activities take place: conferences, projects, local publications, etc. A LOM will be member of a national organization or National Organization Member (NOM) that is governed by a national board. The different NOMs are members of Junior Chamber International. The international organization publishes ''JCI World'', a quarterly magazine, in six languages. It holds an annual conference, th
JCI World Congress
in November of each year and regional annual meetings, the JCI Area Conferences. Typically leadership positions in the organization are held only for one year; this goes for JCI local Presidents, for JCI National Presidents and also for the JCI World Presidents. Some members are given life membership of the organization and become "senators" and members of the JCI Senate. The

Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) program serves to formally recognize young people who excel in their chosen fields and exemplify the best attributes of the world's young people. The program is sponsored by Junior Chamber Interna ...

(TOYP) program is organized annually by Junior Chamber International and is a well-known activity that is often reported on by local news media.

References

External links

* {{Authority control Organizations based in Missouri Service organizations Youth organizations established in 1944

History

Activities

See also

References

External links