We are a membership-based international youth leadership organization of 200,000 young people aged 18 to 40 in 5,000 communities and more than 100 countries around the world. Each JCI Member shares the belief that in order to create lasting positive changes, we must improve ourselves and the world around us. We seek targeted solutions to the unique problems in our communities to build a better world, creating global impact.
 

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”.
 

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

To be the leading global network of young active citizens.
 

Our global organization of 200,000 young active citizens grew out of the vision of one St. Louisan more than 100 years ago from a constructive approach to civic problems. Founded in 1915 in St. Louis., Missouri, USA by Henry Giessenbier Jr. , the movement was spread out, and Junior Chamber International was founded with eight other countries in Mexico City on December 11, 1944.
 

Ryubun Kojima from JCI Japan
 

The JCI Headquarters was established in 1951 and was located in Coral Gables, Florida, U.S.A. since 1969. In 2002, the JCI Headquarters was relocated to Chesterfield, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A., where the first local organization was founded in 1918. A professional staff of 20 full-time employees currently provide services to JCI members. The Secretary General is Kevin Hin.
 

The 2021 JCI World Congress will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa from 16th-20th November 2021. The winners of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) Program are announced each year at the JCI World Congress. The program honors up to ten young individuals who best exemplify the finest attributes of the world’s young people. JCI also hosts 4 regional conferences each year to conduct its business and trainings as well as address items of concern and global issues. This year, these conferences will be held in Arraijan, Panama (Conference of the Americas); Rostock, Germany (European Conference); Taichung, Taiwan (Asia & the Pacific Conference); and Amman, Jordan (Africa & Middle East Conference).
 

2020 was a challenging year for everyone, but JCI is using this opportunity to rethink the way to connect with its members, partners and the world. JCI had its first fully online Area Conference and the first hybrid World Congress. Also, the JCI Rise initiative was launched to sustain and rebuild economies, empower the workforce and preserve mental health in the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The slogan for 2021 is “One Future”, meaning that if we all learn from our experience in 2020, it is that we are all having similar direction, and we all have the power to shape our future for the better.
 

JCI can be called an organization of opportunities. The opportunities available within JCI are so numerous that it could take a lifetime to grasp them all. Most members select those which cater to their particular needs and make the most of them. Basically, there are four opportunities within the organization: Individual, Community, International and Business. Projects are conducted in each area. As the members work on these projects, they encounter opportunities for total development.
 

JCI is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with active participation in the United Nations (UN) system in the context, JCI has relations with the Office of the UN Secretary General (Secretariat) and a Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSCO). Furthermore, JCI has cooperation agreements with the UN Global Compact; the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); the Pan American Health Organization; the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (CONGO); the NGO Committee on UNICEF; the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC); World Chambers Federation; the Council of Europe; AIESEC International; and Goal4Africa.