About JCI World

We are young active citizens all over the world. Living, communicating, taking action and creating impact in our communities. Are you a young active citizen? Do you want to make a difference in your community? Join us on this journey of local action for global impact. JCI is a nonprofit organization of young active citizens age 18 to 40 who are engaged and committed to creating impact in their communities. Active citizens are individuals invested in the future of our world. JCI gathers active citizens from all sectors of society. We develop the skills, knowledge and understanding to make informed decisions and take action. As globally minded young people, we all have rights, responsibilities and share goals. We find targeted solutions to local issues benefitting our communities, our world and our future. Embracing new ideas, collaboration and diversity, we have the passion and courage to address the critical challenges of our time.
 

JCI Mission

• To provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change.

JCI Vision

• To be the leading global network of young active citizens.

JCI Creeds

We Believe:

• That faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life
• That the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations
• That economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise
• That government should be of laws rather than of men
• That earth’s great treasure lies in human personality
• And that service to humanity is the best work of life.

History

Founding a Movement (1915)

By the age of 18, Henry Giessenbier Jr. formed the Herculaneum Dance Club, a social outlet for the community’s youth. Unknown at the time, Giessenbier was laying the foundation for what would become a global movement. On October 13, 1915, the first JCI Movement was founded when 32 men joined to form the Young Men’s Progressive Association (YMPCA) at the Mission Inn located in their hometown of St. Louis, USA.

St. Louis Chamber of Commerce Emblem (1917)

The Young Men’s Civic Progressive 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, after affiliating with the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce.

The First National Convention (1920)

In June 1920, with 41 cities present, the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce held their first official convention, where their first constitution was adopted and the first President, Henry Giessenbier Jr., was elected. Giessenbier closed the ceremony with his expressed goals for the organization: “We have definitely launched a great institution into the world of progress. Let us hope that from this institution will emerge citizens of loftier ideals, higher privileges, greater opportunities, purer patriotism, broader ideas of service and greater capacity for happiness.” — Founder, Henry Giessenbier, Jr.

JCI Global Partners

2019–2023 JCI Strategic Plan

Accelerate Transformation

From broad stakeholder input...

Every five years, an appointed committee evaluates the past and present actions of the organization to plan for an impactful future. The strategic planning process for the 2019–2023 plan started in 2017 with strategic planning forums at international JCI Events and national conventions around the world. A worldwide survey was sent out to gather feedback on the implementation and success of the previous strategic plan, as well as gain insight into stakeholders’ visions for the future of the organization.

...to developing a plan...

The 2017 JCI Board of Directors appointed a 12-member Strategic Planning Committee. The Committee met several times virtually, during the 2017 JCI World Congress in Amsterdam and in early 2018 for a strategic planning retreat at the JCI World Headquarters to finalize the draft plan. After a full year of brainstorming, discussing, interacting, reflecting and evaluating, the Committee drafted the 2019–2023 JCI Strategic Plan using feedback and research from stakeholders. The committee presented the draft plan at each international JCI Event and conducted workshops with JCI members and leaders in preparation for accelerated implementation. At the 2018 JCI World Congress in Goa, India the General Assembly adopted the 2019–2023 JCI Strategic Plan.

...to accelerating transformation toward our goals.

More than ever, JCI must adapt to the needs of young people and create momentum to remain relevant and impactful in our changing world. To be the organization that is home to young changemakers advocating for a better tomorrow in their communities and our world means every JCI stakeholder must align their actions with the five strategies outlined in the 2019–2023 JCI Strategic Plan: Impact, Motivate, Invest, Collaborate and Connect. Over the past 10 years, JCI has laid a strong foundation for youth-led community transformation. We know who we are as an organization and our methodology for creating change. Now, as the world speeds toward the future, JCI too must accelerate our own transformation so that we can be the organization that unites all sectors of society to create sustainable impact.