Roots in 1930s France
VATICAN CITY, 1 JUNE 2006 (ZENIT)Here is the description of the
International Independent Christian Youth which appears in the Directory
of International Associations of the Faithful, published by the
Pontifical Council for the Laity.
* * *
Official name: International Independent Christian Youth
Acronym: JICI (Jeunesse Independente Chretienne Internationale)
Established: 1931
History: Independent Christian Youth was established in France in the
1930s by a number of young people from middle-class and aristocratic
families.
They were prompted by the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and
the socioeconomic situation in the 1960s to open up to the international
dimension and to establish forms of cooperation with similar movements
in Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland.
In 1964, a meeting was held in Rome in order to take stock of the
contacts that had been established with other countries and continents,
and this provided an opportunity for the leaders of European movements
to speak of their experience as associations to a number of the Vatican
Council Fathers from Africa and Madagascar.
The international conference that was convened the following year at San
Sebastian in Spain was attended not only by European movements but also
by representatives of movements in America and Africa. Recognized by the
Holy See as an international Catholic organization, JICI is a member of
the Conference of ICOs.
Identity: JICI brings together young people who are preparing to take
up, or already hold office in, posts of responsibility in different
spheres of public, social, economic, political and cultural life.
The movement sets out to guarantee a constant linkage between faith and
life, and to provide instruction for young people, opening them up to
the international dimension, so that they can responsibly take on the
mission entrusted by Christ to his disciples to proclaim the Good News
which makes all people free, and to build up a more just world based on
solidarity.
The educational method used by the association encourages "review of
life" in the light of the Gospel as a means of helping its members to
challenge their own lives and give a Christian sense to the whole of
existence.
Organization: JICI is governed by a general assembly which meets every
four years, with an apostolic and administrative function, and made up
of the delegates of all the member movements; the international
committee, elected by the general assembly, with a president, secretary,
treasurer, and international ecclesiastical assistant, with executive
powers; and the general secretariat.
Membership: JICI has eight member movements in eight countries, one in
Africa, three in Europe, two in Oceania, and two in South America. Its
work involves about 6,000 people.
Publications: La Ficelle, a quarterly newsletter in French, English and
Spanish
Headquarters:
Jeunesse Independente Chretienne Internationale Mission Catholique
Bamako
BP 298
Bamako - Mali
Tel. (22) 322.2138
E-mail: jici@wanadoo.fr
© Copyright 2006
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Libreria Editrice Vaticana [adapted]
ZE06060130
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