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One worldwide movement of young leaders

Junior Chamber International (JCI) is a global network of young active citizens who create positive change in their communities, in more than 100 countries.

The JCI story

From St. Louis to the world

On 13 October 1915, Henry Giessenbier and 32 young men met in St. Louis, USA, to form the Young Men’s Progressive Civic Association. Within five months it had 750 members. After World War I, their goal became a true and lasting world peace.

The movement spread to Canada in 1923 and England in 1928. In 1944, Junior Chamber International was formally founded in Mexico City. The JCI Creed was adopted in 1948, and in 1957 JCI became one of the first non-governmental organisations affiliated with the United Nations. That same year, South Africa became the first African nation to join.

Today JCI is a movement with more than a century of heritage. It combines global reach, training opportunities and an entrepreneurial mindset to develop leaders for a changing world.

1915

Founded in St. Louis, USA

100+

Countries with JCI members

4

Global areas: Africa & Middle East, Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe

17

UN Sustainable Development Goals our projects advance

How JCI is organised

Local impact, global reach

Like the ripple in our logo, a member’s impact spreads from their local community to the global stage.

1

Local

Local organisations, like JCI Tshwane or JCI Cape Town, where members meet and run projects.

2

National

JCI South Africa connects and supports the local organisations across the country.

3

Area

JCI Africa and the Middle East brings together national organisations across the region.

4

World

Junior Chamber International sets the global direction, led by an elected Board and World President.

The JCI shield
Our identity

What the shield stands for

  • The shield has been part of our identity for more than a century and stands for legacy and heritage.
  • The ripple of concentric lines stands for the impact members make at every level, from local to global.
  • J, C and I are built into the shield itself.
  • Four elements stand for the four global areas and the four areas of opportunity.
Global opportunities

Where South African members go global

JCI World Congress

The annual global gathering of JCI members, with training, the General Assembly and the election of the World President.

JCI Academy

An intensive international leadership programme hosted in Japan. JCI South Africa has sent graduates since 1990.

TOYP of the World

JCI’s global award for young people who excel in their fields. It began at the 1983 World Congress in Taipei.

Explore further

Discover the global movement

Read more about JCI’s programmes, partners, events and impact around the world.

Visit jci.cc JCI events